American University in Nigeria announces new study-abroad windows

The American University of Nigeria has created new study-abroad windows to enable highly motivated students seek experience and active responsibility beyond Nigeria.

AUN President, Margee Ensign, spoke about these opportunities, open from September 2015, during a recent information session organized to throw more light on the programs of the Global Liberal Arts Alliance (GLAA).

The Global Liberal Arts Alliance is an alliance of 27 liberal arts universities, including AUN, in 15 countries. The Great Lakes Colleges Association, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, coordinates GLAA activities and projects and was instrumental to its formation in 2009. The Alliance’s programs are financed with the support of the Endeavour Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

The opportunities include a minor in Globalization Studies, a Global Scholar Program, and another window open on the platform of Association of American International Colleges & Universities (AAICU), a leadership organization whose members provide responsible delivery and quality assurance of American higher education outside the US. Under the first two, students will spend a year abroad in two different universities that are GLAA members.

“All three programs prepare students for leadership and personal effectiveness in our interconnected world through a study of topics of global focus that transcend national borders,” Dr. Ensign said.

She emphasized that although the programs are hosted by the International & Comparative Politics department in the School of Arts & Sciences, they are open to all students who are interested in an immersive study of real-life global problems.

Also speaking at the briefing, Academic Vice President Professor Charles Reith said that AUN has been working extremely hard with other GLAA universities to ensure a unique learning experience for all participating students. Students from AUN, he said, will not have to pay any extra tuition fees to participate in any of the programs.

The GLAA Faculty Advisor at AUN, Professor Jacob Udo-Udo Jacob, explained the difference between taking a minor in Globalization Studies and participating in the Global Scholar program.

“Students enrolled in the Globalization Studies will take some specified courses in Economics, ICP, CMD, NES and any other course that meets specified learning outcomes, and also spend a year abroad in any two alliance universities in the US, Europe, or Asia. On completion, students will obtain a Minor in Globalization Studies in addition to their major.”

For the Global Scholar program, Professor Jacob said that students interested in the program will choose research topics of global interest and work with relevant faculty members to develop the research. They will then proceed to any two relevant alliance universities to further the research through experiential and immersive learning.

AUN is the only member-university of GLAA and AAICU in sub-Saharan Africa. AUN has previously carried out two projects under GLAA: the first was a global water management course led by Professor Reith and the second a connected course on peace journalism led by Professor Jacob.