Informe Anual
Annual Report
Annual Report 2008
October 1 2007 - September 30 2008
Editor: Carolina Santacruz
Design: .Puntoaparte Editores
Printer: Panamericana Formas e Impresos S.A.
www.fulbright.edu.co
“The establishing of order and the making of peace does not consist
merely of a solemn declaration of a well-drafted constitution. The making
of peace is a continuing process that must go on from day to day, from
year to year, so long as our civilization shall last”.
J. William Fulbright, 1945
Contents
04
The Fulbright Program
12
Grant Programs
Grant Programs for Colombians
Grant Programs for Americans
Teacher Exchange Program
26
Academic Agenda
30
2008 Highlights
32
Fulbright Community
40
English Initiatives
42
Educational Advising Center
44
Strategic Relations
45
Promotion & Communications
50
Financial Report
52
Commission Staff
53
Statistics
The Fulbright
Program
Global Exchange
A legislative initiative of Senator J. William Fulbright, the Fulbright Program was established in 1946 to promote educational
and cultural exchange between the U.S. and other countries to foster global understanding. Today, the Fulbright Program is
one of the largest and most diversified international exchange programs in the world, providing opportunities for postgraduate study and research in the U.S. to citizens of 144 countries. At the same time, Americans receive Fulbright grants to
engage in scholarly and cultural activities around the world. In 2008 a total of 11,335 grants were awarded around the world
in open competitions.
The more than 300,000 educators, scientists, researchers, political and community leaders, and even 39 Nobel Prize
winners who have received the Fulbright grant to date have made significant contributions within their countries as well as to
the overall goal of advancing mutual understanding, tolerance and international cooperation.
1. Osamu Shimomura – Japan, Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2008,
Fulbright Scholar at Princeton University, 1960
2. Leonid Hurwicz – U.S., Nobel Prize in Economics 2007,
Fulbright Scholar in India, 1965-1966
3. Douglass C. North – U.S., Nobel Prize in Economics 1993,
Fulbright Scholar in Uruguay, 1990
1
2
3
Biographical Sketch of Senator Fulbright
J. William Fulbright was born in 1905 in Arkansas. He received a B.A. in Political
Science from the University of Arkansas in 1925, and later attended Oxford
University as a Rhodes Scholar where he earned his M.A. degree. After studying
law at George Washington University and working at the Justice Department, in
1939 he was named President of the University of Arkansas.
Shortly after being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Congress
adopted the Fulbright Resolution supporting an international peace-keeping
mechanism that helped shape U.S. participation in what became the United
Nations. This catapulted Fulbright to the national political stage, gaining a seat in
the U.S. Senate in 1944.
During his 30 years of public service, Fulbright was one of the most influential
and well respected senators. Legislation establishing the Fulbright Program
was passed in 1946. During his public life Senator Fulbright received numerous
recognitions by governments, universities and educational organizations around
the world for his work on behalf of education and international understanding. In
1993 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Liberty by President Clinton.
J. William Fulbright
6 • Fulbright Annual Report 2008
Fulbright in Colombia
The Fulbright Commission in Colombia was established by an international treaty between the U.S. and Colombian governments in 1957. The mission of Fulbright Colombia is to further mutual understanding between the peoples of the U.S. and
Colombia through educational and cultural exchange and strengthening binational academic networks. This is achieved
through its grant programs offered to citizens of both countries, academic activities, and educational outreach.
Approximately 80 Colombians receive Fulbright Grants each year to conduct postgraduate studies, engage in research,
teach in universities and secondary schools, and participate in other professional and academic activities in the U.S. At the
same time, 35 American scholars, students, teachers and artists come to Colombia yearly as Fulbright grantees.
Since the inception of the Fulbright Program in Colombia, approximately 2,310 Colombians and 1,120 U.S. citizens have
received grants through the Fulbright Commission.
Manaure, La Guajira, Colombia, 1997. Copyright Santiago Harker
Fulbright Annual Report 2008 • 7
Honorary Board Chairman’s Report
As Honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Fulbright Commission
in Colombia, I am pleased to report that this has been an extraordinary year for
Fulbright. The Commission continues to aggressively expand its array of programs,
and is quickly nearing 3500 past, present and future participants in the U.S.
government’s flagship bilateral exchanges program.
Over the past year, Fulbright Colombia has expanded exchanges as well as improved its administrative/management structures. In 2008, we began the English
Teaching Assistant’s program to improve the quality of English teaching at the university level and supported advanced studies and leadership training for Colombia’s
Afrocolombian population. Under the auspices of Fulbright, USAID, the Ministry of
Education and ICETEX, 21 future leaders of the Afrocolombian community will pursue Master’s and Doctoral degrees in the U.S. This year, the Commission moved to
a new, dedicated house which will provide greater security, additional office/meeting
space and easier access to Commission visitors. The Commission also addressed
staff issues and improved our academic advising program. It was in all respects a
very successful year.
I want to recognize the Board of Directors for their continued service in directing the Commission: Mark Wentworth,
Counselor for Public Affairs and Hilary Renner, Cultural Attache, both from my Embassy; Marta Lucia Villegas, President
of ICETEX; Alan Hails, Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers; and Bruce MacMaster, partner of Inverlink and co-founder of
Compartamos con Colombia. Additionally, my personal thanks to Maria Claudia Parias, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
who left us after three years of outstanding contributions to the Board. It was their collective hard work that resolved the
Fulbright building issue and established standing committees to oversee program management and finance/fundraising
efforts – an initiative that will allow us to better capitalize on Board members’ expertise, bring new talent into policy deliberations, and will eventually lead to additional exchanges. My appreciation also goes to: Javier Botero, former Vice-Minister for
Higher Education, Fulbrighter and Rector of the Colombian School of Engineering Julio Garavito; Patricia Martinez, Rector
of Bolivar Technological University; and Fulbrighter Clemente Forero, Professor, Faculty of Administration at Los Andes
University, for their service on these new Committees.
Finally, with strong public commitments to higher education, leadership, tolerance and public service – all pillars of the
Fulbright program – from both Colombian and U.S. partners, I am confident that the Fulbright ideal of promoting mutual
understanding through educational exchanges will continue to flourish in Colombia.
William R. Brownfield
U.S. Ambassador to Colombia
8 • Fulbright Annual Report 2008
Minister of Foreign Affairs’ Report
Over 2,300 Colombians and 1,000 Americans have benefited from the cultural and academic exchange program of the
Fulbright Commission in Colombia. It is an honor for the Colombian Government to belong to this team, which with dedication, effort, and hard work, has kept alive the extraordinary vision of Senator J. William Fulbright.
The year 2008 was filled with achievements. In the rigorous application and selection process that characterizes the
program, 66 talented Colombians, from various regions of the country, traveled to the U.S. to pursue their research, teaching,
master and doctoral degrees in top universities. At the same time, 37 Americans students and professors came to Colombia
to participate in research and teaching activities at universities, colleges, and schools. I am convinced that this academic
exchange, apart from providing personal benefits or political, social and economic development, is also a great opportunity
to bring our countries together by allowing them to share their history, traditions, customs, culture, and realities.
One of the most significant achievements of 2008 was the signing of two new agreements aimed at benefiting ethnic
minorities. Thanks to the support of the Ministry of Education, ICETEX, and USAID, 7 Afrocolombian leaders commenced
their studies in the U.S. At the same time, they participated in leadership training programs. On the other hand, for the
purpose of promoting cultural diversity in Colombia, the Ministry of Culture committed itself to support 5 grants for cultural
studies to Afrocolombian and indigenous communities.
The support of the private sector has been vital for the success and continuity of the program in Colombia. I would like to
thank the commitment of Suramericana and El Cerrejon in promoting the people’s talent and for contributing to the progress
of the country. The alliance between the Commission and each of these companies is a living example of how corporate
social responsibility, committed to investing in education, opens doors not only to being competitive and productive, but also
to social mobility, a key element in democratic societies.
On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I would like to express our wish to keep working on this shared task, and keep
participating in all activities that will lead to new alliances, to increase in the number of beneficiaries, and to consolidate the
network of Fulbrighters in both countries. Our most sincere thanks to the Fulbright staff and to all who made 2008 a year of
good news.
Jaime Bermudez Merizalde
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia
Fulbright Annual Report 2008 • 9
Executive Director’s Report
While globalization and the microelectronic revolution have obliterated physical distances and linked up people and cultures in new, virtual ways, there is still nothing quite like knowing the world in a physical, experiential sense. Just ask Tianna
Paschell, Ph.D. candidate in sociology at UC Berkeley who came to the National
University in 2008 with a Fulbright grant to research Afrocolombian identities and
organizations, who traveled to Colombia’s four corners and participated in the first
Afrodescendent Conference in the Americas in Cartagena; or John Alexis Guerra of
the Universidad Tecnologica de Pereira, who started his Ph.D. at the University of
Maryland in 2008 to work on computer interfaces for the visually impaired. There
he’ll be interacting with research groups from the computer sciences, engineering,
and the arts.
This is what Fulbright is all about; it encompasses the academic, the professional, the cultural, and the personal. We fully
expect that our 66 Colombians who traveled to the U.S. in 2008 to take up graduate studies and related academic activities, and our 37 U.S. citizens who researched and taught in Colombia, will be enriched, challenged and changed by their
experiences. All our students and scholars return to home with new perspectives, research questions, practitioner networks
and friends.
2008 saw renewed efforts by Fulbright Colombia to broaden and deepen these experiences for our Colombian and U.S.
participants. Not only did the first group of 18 grantees in the Ministry of Education and Colciencias sponsored Regions
Program, from nine departments throughout the country, start their Master’s and Ph.D.’s in 2008, but we also partnered with
the Colombia’s Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, ICETEX and USAID in two new initiatives launched this year for
Colombia’s Afro and Indigenous communities to pursue graduate studies. Our alliance scholarships with the private sector
also took root in 2008, offering for the first time special grants in Guajira and Antioquia through open competitions. At the
same time, we nearly doubled the number of U.S. Fulbright grantees coming to Colombia through an increase in Fulbright
Specialist grants, and the new English Teaching Assistant grants developed with ICETEX and the Ministry of Education.
My heartfelt thanks to all our institutional partners in both governments and in both countries, as well as to our board, staff
and community of Fulbrighters for their dedication and tireless efforts to make possible the Fulbright experience for so many.
Ann C. Mason
Executive Director
10 • Fulbright Annual Report 2008
Board of Directors
Fulbright Colombia is governed by a binational Board of Directors composed of three U.S. and three Colombian citizens.
Board members are jointly appointed for two-year terms by the Colombian Government and the U.S. Ambassador to
Colombia, who also serves as Fulbright’s Honorary Chairman of the Board. The Board oversees the Fulbright Commission’s
operations, appoints its Executive Director, approves both Colombian and U.S. grantees, and ensures compliance with the
program directives established by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.
The Board of Directors modified its bylaws in 2008 to establish two standing committees dedicated to program and fundraising activities. This new governance structure is intended to enhance board operations by capitalizing on board members’
expertise and benefiting from a broader pool of external experts.
Honorary Chairman of the Board
American Members
Colombian Members
William R. Brownfield
Mark Wentworth
Marta Lucia Villegas
U.S. Ambassador to Colombia
Public Affairs Officer
U.S. Embassy
Board President
President
ICETEX
Maria Claudia Parias
Hilary Renner
Assistant Cultural Attache
U.S. Embassy
Board Treasurer
Alan Hails
Partner
PricewaterhouseCoopers Colombia
Hilary Renner, Ann Mason, Maria Mercedes Gonzalez, Alan Hails and Mark Wentworth
Cultural Affairs Officer
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Bruce MacMaster
Partner
Inverlink S.A.
Fulbright Annual Report 2008 • 11
Program Committee
The Program Committee advises on all matters related to academic and programming issues regarding Fulbright grants. In
addition to board members Alan Hails and Marta Lucia Villegas, the following individuals participate as external committee
members:
Javier Botero Alvarez
President
Escuela Colombiana de Ingenieria Julio Garavito
Fulbright grantee
Patricia Martinez
President
Universidad Tecnologica de Bolivar
Clemente Forero
Professor
School of Administration, Universidad de los Andes
Fulbright grantee
Clemente Forero, Javier Botero, Marta Lucia Villegas, Alan Hails and Ann Mason
Grant
Programs
Grants for Colombians
2008 statistics
The 2008 grant portfolio for Colombians included 11 different programs, or-
66
grants to Colombians
research, teaching, and related academic experiences in the U.S. Four were
278
applications received
postponed until 2009, and seven candidates later resigned. Fulbright’s com-
62%
regional grantees
38%
female grantees
ganized by field of study, purpose and financial conditions. From a pool of
278 applications, a total of 77 grants were awarded for postgraduate studies,
mitment to increased diversification and outreach resulted in a 62% regional
participation rate in 2008.
Academic merit, leadership potential, and the anticipated multiplier effect
of the study proposal for Colombia’s future form the core selection criteria
for the highly competitive Fulbright grants. A rigorous selection process is
Grants by Program of Study
adhered to in all grant programs. Uncompromising standards of transparency
32%
master’s programs
and impartiality guide each step of the process. Pre-screened applicants first
54%
Ph.D. programs
undergo an independent, academic review by professors, researchers and
experts in the relevant academic fields to evaluate the applicants’ academic
8%
research and teaching
qualities and capacity for advanced study and research. A group of finalists
6%
secondary teachers
is then interviewed by an interdisciplinary review committee comprised of
Fulbrighters, and representatives of our institutional partners. The Board of
Directors of Fulbright Colombia submits the grant nominees to the J. William
Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board in the U.S. that approves the final selec-
Grants by Area of Study
tion of grantees.
3%
Education
10%
Business
Administration
3%
Law
26%
Engineering
13%
Arts/
Architecture
21%
Science/
Technology
23%
Social
Sciences/
Humanities
Grants for Graduate Studies
Fulbright-Colciencias-DNP Grant
In partnership with the Colombian Institute for the Development of Science and Technology, Colciencias, and the Colombian
Government’s National Planning office, DNP, Fulbright Colombia offers grants for Ph.D. and Masters’ degrees in the sciences,
engineering and technology fields. This program also seeks to strengthen U.S.-Colombian scientific collaboration. The grant is
supported by contributions made by sponsoring institutions that provide employment to the grantee upon completing the degree and returning to Colombia. Of 18 applications received in 2008, 16 grants were awarded and one was postponed to 2009.
Grantee
Sponsoring institution
Field of study
Program University
Johanna Amaya
Universidad del Norte
Industrial Engineering
Ph.D.
University of Florida
Juan Carlos Aristizabal
Universidad de Antioquia
Human Nutrition
Ph.D.
University of Connecticut
Jacqueline Barona
Universidad de Antioquia
Nutrition
Ph.D.
University of Connecticut
Sebastian Bitar
Universidad de los Andes
Political Science
Ph.D.
American University
Johanna Cortes
Universidad del Rosario
Law
LL.M.
Columbia University
German Forero
Fundacion Caipora
Ecology & Conservation Biology
Ph.D.
Duke University
Gina Galindo
Universidad del Norte
Systems Engineering
Ph.D.
University at Buffalo
Guiselle Garcia
Universidad del Norte
Industrial Engineering
Ph.D.
University at Buffalo
Esteban Hoyos
EAFIT
Law
LL.M.
Cornell University
Catalina Londoño
Escuela de Ingenieria de Antioquia
Economics
Ph.D.
University of Illinois, Urbana
Angela Maria Paez
Universidad de la Sabana
Public Policy
Ph.D.
University of Kansas
Isabel Raciny
Universidad de los Andes
Environmental Engineering
Ph.D.
Rice University
Diego Silva
U. Industrial de Santander
Urban Planning
Ph.D.
University of Illinois, Chicago
Rafael Vasquez
U. Pontificia Bolivariana
Mechanical Engineering
Ph.D.
University of Florida
Alcides Velasquez
Pontificia U. Javeriana
Information Systems
Ph.D.
Michigan State University
Carolina Renteria, DNP Director and Juan Francisco Miranda, Colciencias Director with grantees of the Colciencias-DNP Program
14 • Fulbright Annual Report 2008
Graduate Grant
The oldest of the grants offered by the Commission, the Graduate Grant makes awards to outstanding Colombian professionals and academics to pursue doctoral or master’s programs in the U.S. The fields supported in the 2008 grant were the
social sciences, humanities, education, public interest law, and environmental and natural sciences. The benefits include
24 months of full or partial tuition waivers, a monthly living stipend, university placement, airfare, health insurance, English
language training, and other pre-academic courses. Of the seven individuals selected from a total of 92 candidates, five
initiated their grants in 2008.
Grantee
Field
Program
University
Rosa Aurita Charrupi
Law
LL.M.
George Washington University
Maria Fernanda Escallon
Anthropology
M.A.
Stanford University
Jorge Manuel Escobar
History & Philosophy of Science
Ph.D.
University of Notre Dame
Adriana Gaviria
Public Policy
Ph.D.
The New School for Social Research
Alejandro Rico
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
M.S.
University of Connecticut
Fulbright-MinCultura Grant in the Arts
The Ministry of Culture contributes funding for this pioneering program designed to strengthen Colombia’s artistic development and to foment cross-cultural artistic interactions. In its fifth year, this program is well-established within the Colombian
arts community. In 2008, five candidates were selected from 37 applicants in diverse fields.
Grantee
Field
Program
University
Maria Carrizosa
Architectural Design
M.A.
University of California, Berkeley
Carlos Castro
Painting
M.A.
San Francisco Art Institute
Rodrigo Restrepo
Music
M.A.
California Institute of the Arts
Esteban Ucros
Museology
M.A.
Brown University
Rolando Vargas
Urban Design
M.A.
University of Maryland, Baltimore
1
2
Fulbright Annual Report 2008 • 15
Grant Program for the Regions
A new alliance with the Ministry of Education, Colciencias, DNP and Fulbright supports advanced training for highly skilled
individuals throughout the country so as to contribute to regional development. Two-year grants for master’s degrees and threeyear grants for doctorates are offered in all academic fields. The grant is co-financed by sponsoring universities and institutions,
which commit to offer positions to the scholars once they finish their studies and return to Colombia and their regions of origin.
Of 51 applications received in the program’s first year, 24 grants representing nine different Colombian provinces were awarded.
18 grantees traveled to their respective universities in the U.S., two were postponed until 2009 and four resigned.
Grantee
Sponsoring institution
Field
Program
University
Oscar Acevedo
U. Tecnologica de Bolivar
Electrical Engineering
Ph.D.
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
Javier Aguirre
U. Industrial de Santander
Philosophy
Ph.D.
Stony Brook University - SUNY
Ivan Mauricio Ayala
CENIPALMA
Agronomy
Ph.D.
Iowa State University
Oscar Burbano
Universidad de Nariño
Molecular Biology
M.S.
Ohio State University
Diana Delgado
U. Industrial de Santander
Physical Therapy
Ph.D.
University of South Carolina
Felipe Estela
Asociacion Calidris
Biology
Ph.D.
Wake Forest University
Jorge Alejandro Florez
Universidad de Caldas
Philosophy
Ph.D.
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
Mauricio Herron
Universidad del Norte
Educational Sociology
M.A.
Purdue University
Floria Lentijo
CENICAFE
Environmental Conservation
M.S.
University of Florida
Kento Magara
U. Pontificia Bolivariana
Environmental Engineering
Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin
Diego Mejia
Universidad de Antioquia
Electrical Engineering
Ph.D.
Iowa State University
German Mejia
Universidad de Caldas
Interactive Design
M.A.
University of Cincinnati
Maria Helena Mejia
Universidad de Caldas
Computer Science
Ph.D.
University of Arizona
Diego Alexander Restrepo
EAFIT
Financial Economics
Ph.D.
Binghamton University - SUNY
Daniel Toro
U. Tecnologica de Bolivar
Economics
Ph.D.
Washington State University
Lina Uribe
Instituto Comfacauca
Educational Administration
Ph.D.
University at Albany
Lina Maria Vera
U. Industrial de Santander
Epidemiology
Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin
Ruben Dario Yie
Universidad del Norte
Systems Engineering
Ph.D.
University at Buffalo
1. Mark Wentworth, Public Affairs Officer U.S. Embassy; Gabriel Burgos,
Deputy Secretary of Higher Education, Ministry of Education; Paula
Moreno, Secretary of Culture; Ann Mason, Executive Director Fulbright;
Carolina Renteria, DNP Director; Juan Francisco Miranda, Colciencias
Director and David Bojanini, President of Suramericana
2. Paula Moreno and Ann Mason
3. Carolina Renteria, Juan Francisco Miranda, Ann Mason and Catalina
Londoño Regions Program grantee
3
16 • Fulbright Annual Report 2008
Science and Technology Grant for Outstanding
International Students
This program offers scholarships to finance doctoral degrees in the U.S. in the fields of science, technology, and engineering
for outstanding international students. Each Fulbright Commission in the world nominates up to two candidates, who then
compete against other in a highly competitive worldwide evaluation process. The selection of the 40 winners from over 100
finalists representing 70 countries was made by a blue ribbon committee that included renowned American scientists. We
are proud that two outstanding young Colombians were included in this talented group.
Grantee
Colombian university
Field
Program
University
John Alexis Guerra
U. Tecnologica de Pereira
Computer Science
Ph.D.
University of Maryland, College Park
Camilo Ortiz
Universidad de los Andes
Engineering
Ph.D.
Georgia Institute of Technology
Fulbright-Suramericana Grant
Master’s programs for the largest private sector consortium in Colombia are supported through Fulbright-Suramericana
scholarships since 1999. Affiliate companies of the Antioquia Business Group in manufacturing and banking sponsor young
professionals for advanced degrees in business, law, economics and engineering who then return to positions of leadership
within the organization. The exacting selection process also requires proven commitment to social responsibility. 10 grantees
were selected from 19 applicants in 2008.
Grantee
Sponsoring company
Field
Program
University
Jaime Andres Correa
COLCAFE
Operations Management
M.S.
Purdue University
Ana Maria Duque
Cementos Argos S.A.
Environmental Engineering
M.S.
University of Illinois, Urbana
University of Pittsburgh
Johanna Forero
BANCOLOMBIA
International Affairs
M.S.
Natalia Gomez
BANCOLOMBIA
Economics
M.S.
Duke University
Diana Lucia Henao
BANCOLOMBIA
Project Management
M.S.
Purdue University
Sergio Hinestrosa
Suramericana de Seguros
Information Management
M.S.
Syracuse University
Alejandro Mejia
Leasing Bancolombia
Finance
M.S.
Emory University
Mauricio Perez
Compañia Nacional de Chocolates
Technology Management
M.S.
University of Maryland
Felipe Restrepo
BANCOLOMBIA
Economics
M.S.
Boston College
Ana Maria Uribe
Cementos Argos S.A.
Environmental Engineering
M.S.
University of Cincinnati
1
2
3
Fulbright Annual Report 2008 • 17
Faculty Development Grant
Universities and the Fulbright Commission in Colombia team up to provide postgraduate training to professors and researchers in all fields of study. Institutions of higher learning throughout the country cover living expenses while the Fulbright
Program provides full or partial tuition waivers, university admission, health insurance, the cost of the visa, English language
courses, and other orientation seminars. Two university professors were selected for awards in 2008, out of 11 applicants.
Grantee
Sponsoring university
Field
Program
University
Gonzalo Hernandez
Pontificia U. Javeriana
Economics
Ph.D.
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Luis Fernando Valencia
Pontificia U. Javeriana
Music
M.A.
Temple University
Grants for Researchers, Teachers and Short-term
Programs
Hubert H. Humphrey
The Hubert H. Humphrey program offers advanced studies to mid-career professionals from around the world with demonstrated leadership qualities and a commitment to public service. The Colombian Humphrey Fellow was awarded a one-year
residency during which he developed a unique academic program that included graduate courses and professional internships, one of a total of 151 fellows from 107 countries.
Grantee
Colombian institution
Field
University
Julian Cardona
Fondo para la Accion Ambiental y la Niñez
Natural Resource Management
University of California, Davis
Scholar-in-Residence
Colombian university professors have the opportunity to teach and participate in curricular development for up to two
semesters at U.S. institutions. Regional universities in the U.S. invite international professors from different academic fields
so as to broaden their course offerings and incorporate a multicultural dimension into the curriculum and the institution. In
2008, one Colombian was awarded a grant in this innovative exchange program.
Grantee
Colombian university
Field
University
Humberto Garcia
Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano
Latin American History
Regis College
1. Camilo Ortiz
2. Gonzalo Hernandez
3. Humberto Garcia
4. David Bojanini, President of Suramericana
with Fulbright-Suramericana Program grantees
4
18 • Fulbright Annual Report 2008
Foreign Visiting Scholar Grant
Two Foreign Visiting Scholar grants are awarded annually to Colombian professors to conduct advanced research during
one academic semester at a U.S. university or research institute. The program’s goals are to create new research opportunities for Colombian academics and to promote research collaboration between both countries. In 2008, two professors
engaged in cutting edge research were selected.
Grantee
Colombian university
Field
University
Gonzalo Arboleda
Universidad Nacional
Neurosciences
Medical University of South Carolina
Jose Jaime Garcia
Universidad del Valle
Mechanical Engineering
Colorado State University
Gonzalo Arboleda
Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Manchester in England, Gonzalo Arboleda is a Professor at the Universidad
Nacional School of Medicine, and a founding member of the Colombian School of Neuroscience and the Universidad
Nacional Neuroscience Group. His main research interest is the association and analysis of mutations in Alzheimer and
Parkinson diseases. During his Fulbright, he researched the causes of inflammations that are responsible for multiple
sclerosis, at the Medical University of South Carolina.
Jose Jaime Garcia
On the faculty of the Civil Engineering Department at the Universidad del Valle, Professor Garcia earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical
Engineering at Michigan State University. He has also been Director of the Department of Mechanics and Solids at the same
university, and a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. His research on computational models to assist
in determining mechanical functions such as stress and tension associated with the onset of osteoarthritis was carried out
at the Orthopedic Bioengineering Research Laboratory at Colorado State University.
U.S. Studies Institutes
Mauricio Vargas Vergnaud, Subdirector of National Security and Defense at the National Planning Department, was selected
to participate in the Study of the U.S. Institute of National Security, which took place in January 2008 at the University of
California in San Diego. This specialized graduate level course, attended by academics and experts in security issues from
18 countries, examined national and global security theory and policies and concluded with a visit to U.S. security agencies
in Washington D.C.
Grantee
Colombian institution
Field
University
Mauricio Vargas
Government’s National Planning Office
National Security
University of California, San Diego
Fulbright Annual Report 2008 • 19
Grants for U.S. Citizens
In 2008 the four grant programs offered for U.S. citizens sought to enhance
knowledge about Colombia in the U.S., contribute to academic research on
2008 Statistics
Colombia, strengthen institutional relations, encourage research networks
37
grants to U.S. citizens
between both countries, and support teaching activities. The Council for the
81
applications received
International Exchange of Scholars, CIES, and the Institute of International
Education, IIE, are the U.S.-based cooperating agencies that administer the
U.S. Fulbright programs and are also responsible for program promotion
and pre-selection of candidates. Fulbright Colombia awarded a total of 37
51%
grants carried out
in regions
54%
female grantees
grants in 2008 to U.S. scholars, graduate students, researchers and English
assistants with institutional affiliations throughout Colombia.
Grants
32%
professors
24%
students
35%
English assistants
9%
secondary teachers
Grants by Area of Study
5%
Other
14%
Science/
Technology
14%
Humanities
41%
English
24%
Social
Science
2008 U.S. grantees in reception at the Instituto Caro y Cuervo
2%
Education
20 • Fulbright Annual Report 2008
U.S. Scholar Grant
The U.S. Scholar Grant is an instrument for collaboration between academics in both countries that seeks to strengthen
advanced research on Colombia and create binational networks of researchers and scholars. Visiting scholars from U.S.
universities arrange six month appointments at Colombian universities, where they engage in research and lecturing. The six
selected scholars for 2008 underwent an arduous peer review process conducted by CIES, followed by a second academic
review in Colombia.
Grantee
Field
U.S. university
Colombian university
Craig Arnold
Literature
English Department
University of Wyoming
Literature Department
Universidad de los Andes
Alex Betancourt
Political Science
Political Science Department
Universidad de Puerto Rico
Political Science Department
Universidad de los Andes
Les Field
Anthropology
Anthropology Department
University of New Mexico
Anthropology Department
Universidad de los Andes
Bernhard Hennig
Nutrition
Veterinary and Agronomy Department
University of Kentucky
School of Agricultural Science
Universidad de Antioquia
Deborah Letourneau
Biology
Environmental Studies Department
University of California, Santa Cruz
School of Agricultural Science
Universidad del Valle
Mario Murillo
Communication
Department of Audio, Video and Film
Hofstra University
School of Communication
Pontificia Universidad Javeriana
Craig Arnold
Recognized poet Craig Arnold is Professor in the English Department at the University of Wyoming. During his Fulbright
grant, he translated the poetic works of contemporary Latin American poets into English, as well as taught a course on
American poetry in the Department of Literature at the Universidad de los Andes. Additionally he participated in various
academic events related to this field. As a visiting professor he translated Colombian poets such as Ramon Cote Baraibar
and Andrea Cote.
Bernhard Hennig
Chair of the Nutrition and Animal Sciences Department at the University of Kentucky with a Ph.D. in Nutrition from Iowa State
University, Dr. Hennig was visiting professor in the School of Agricultural Sciences at the Universidad de Antioquia. In addition
to teaching a course on Nutritional Biochemistry, Dr. Hennig worked with colleagues and graduate students on the design
and development of research projects and scientific publications.
Deborah Letourneau
Dr. Letourneau holds a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of California at Berkeley and is currently Professor in the
Environmental Sciences Department at the University of California at Santa Cruz. An expert in ecology and agro production, she
carried out a research project on pest control based on biodiversity and ecology at the Universidad del Valle.
Fulbright Annual Report 2008 • 21
Mario Murillo
With joint appointments at the School of Communications at Hofstra University and New York University, Professor Murillo
is an expert in journalism and radio production. As a visiting professor in the School of Communications at the Pontificia
Universidad Javeriana, his research involved community radio and journalism in indigenous communities in the Cauca
region, with special emphasis on the Minga.
Les Field
Prominent anthropologist and University of New Mexico; Professor, Les Field works on Latin-American identity and ethnicity. He is currently researching Colombian attitudes towards its pre-Colombian past as a source of national identity. Ph.D. in
Anthropology from Duke University, Field held a researcher position in the Anthropology Department at the Universidad de
los Andes and also will participate in the Congreso Nacional de Antropologia.
Alex Betancourt
Professor Betancourt holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts and is Professor in the
Universidad de Puerto Rico. As visiting professor in the Anthropology Department at the Universidad de los Andes,
Dr. Betancourt taught a course on political theory of violence and conducted research on theories about how violence has
influenced different fields of political science.
Junior Program Officer Alexandra Moreno with 2008 U.S. grantees Mario Murillo, Craig Arnold and Karen Greiner
22 • Fulbright Annual Report 2008
Fulbright Specialists
The Fulbright Specialist grant supports innovative forms of academic and professional collaboration. Colombian universities
invite U.S. academics and field experts for short visits to assist in institutional development and curriculum design, and to
offer specialized workshops and seminars. In 2008 six universities in four cities hosted Fulbright visiting specialists.
Grantee
Field
U.S. institution
Colombian university
William Beezley
History
History Department
University of Arizona
History Department
Universidad Nacional Bogota
Jack Dennerlein
Public Health
School of Public Health
Harvard University
Productive Processes Department
Pontificia U. Javeriana
Tomas Guillen
Communication and
Journalism
Communication & Journalism Department
Seattle University
Communication and Language Department
Pontificia U. Javeriana, Cali
Ellen Harris
Nutrition
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work Department
School of Nutrition
Universidad de Antioquia
Harry Mika
Peace and Conflict
Studies
Central Michigan University
Universidad del Rosario and Universidad de
los Andes
Frederick Royce
Agriculture
Agronomy Department
University of Florida
Universidad Nacional Palmira and CENICAÑA
William Beezley
Professor of History at the University of Arizona, Dr. Beezley is a renowned expert on Latin American national identity
and popular culture, especially in the Mexican context. The History Department at Universidad Nacional invited Professor
Beezley, who has a Ph.D. in History from the University of Nebraska, to offer specialized seminars to their graduate students
on his comparative historical work on the U.S. and Mexico, and to advise on thesis research.
Jack Dennerlein
Professor of Ergonomics and Safety in the Department of Environmental Health at Harvard’s School of Public Health and
Co-director of the Occupational Injury Prevention Research Training Program, Dr. Dennerlein is a leading expert in the field of
occupational biomechanics and ergonomics. Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at University of California, Berkeley, he conducted workshops on ergonomics, labor security and professional risks organized through the Departament of Production
Processes at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana.
Tomas Guillen
Professor in the University of Seattle’s Communications and Journalism Department, Mr. Guillen was hosted by the Department
of Communications and Language at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Cali. Mr. Guillen, who has a Master’s degree in
Communications from the University of Washington, advised the University’s Communications Department on the creation of a
Master’s program in investigative journalism, lectured on journalistic ethics and investigative journalism, and mentored students.
Fulbright Annual Report 2008 • 23
Ellen Harris
Member of the Human Nutrition Team at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Dr. Harris holds a Ph.D. in Public Health
Nutrition from the University of Texas. Dr. Harris gave a series of lectures and workshops to professors and Masters’ students
at the Universidad de Antioquia’s School of Nutrition on her agricultural research at the Center of Human Research. She also
offered specialized consulting on the development of nutrition programs to the EXITO Foundation, Presencia Colombo Suiza,
and the MANA Project associated with the Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar.
Harry Mika
Professor of Sociology at Central Michigan University and research associate at the Law School of the University of Queens
in Belfast, Dr. Mika’s area of expertise is peace building, transnational justice and community regeneration. During his visit to
Colombia he gave talks in regional universities on transitional justice in the Northern Ireland context in conferences organized
by the Universidad de los Andes and the Universidad del Rosario on comparative peace processes. He also consulted with
victims’ reparation organizations including the International Center for Transitional Justice and DeJusticia.
Frederick Royce
Dr. Royce, postdoctoral research assistant in the Agronomy Department at the University of Florida, works on production
systems and crop handling with particular expertise in computerized models which simulate sugar cane growth. In addition
to conferences offered to professors and graduate students in Agronomy at the Universidad Nacional de Palmira on handling
techniques of crops, he also ran workshops for a small group of researchers from the Centro Nacional de Investigacion de
la Caña-CENICAÑA.
U.S. Student Program
Recent undergraduates and students currently enrolled in Master’s and Ph.D. programs in the U.S are eligible for the U.S.
Student grant. Candidates must demonstrate Spanish language proficiency and present viable research proposals for their
year-long stay in Colombia. Most also do coursework in graduate programs at Colombian universities, which provide tuition
waivers to the U.S. students. For the 2008 grant period, nine grants were awarded from 33 applications.
Grantee
Field
Program
U.S. university
Colombian university
Jordan Dansby
Law
M.A.
Catholic University of America
Universidad de los Andes
Anthony Dest
Political Science
B.A.
University of North Carolina
Universidad de los Andes
Karen Greiner
Communications
Ph.D
University of Ohio
Pontificia U. Javeriana
Sara Kane
Psychology
B.A.
University of Maryland
Universidad de los Andes
Salim Morsy
Political Economy
M.A.
London School of Economics
Universidad de los Andes
Kathryn Paul
International Relations
B.A.
Carleton College
Universidad de los Andes
Tianna Pashel
Sociology
Ph.D
U.C. Berkeley
Universidad Nacional
Sara Rafsky
Spanish, French, Arts History
B.A.
Georgetown University
Universidad de los Andes
Austin Zeiderman
Anthropology
Ph.D
Stanford University
Universidad Nacional
24 • Fulbright Annual Report 2008
English Teaching Assistants
The Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Program (ETA), launched in 2008 in partnership with ICETEX and with contributions
from the Ministry of Education and Cerrejon’s Foundation for Institutional Development, the ETA Program aims to strengthen
English language instruction in Colombian universities through a native speaker presence. At the same time, U.S. participants
benefit from intensive cross-cultural interaction and research and community involvement opportunities provided by the host
institution. 12 grantees were selected from a pool of 38 applicants.
The university affiliations were determined through ICETEX´s Annual Language Assistant Program. One of the grants was
awarded according to the terms of agreement with Cerrejon’s Foundation for Institutional Development, to support English
education at the high school level in the Guajira region of Colombia.
Grantee
Field
Program
U.S. university
Colombian university
Mary Cannito
Spanish, Education
B.A.
Nazareth College of Rochester
Universidad de Medellin
Kristen Dennesen
Sociology
B.A.
University of Chicago
Universidad de Antioquia
Elizabeth Eiseman
Spanish, History
B.A.
Wellesley College
Universidad de Cartagena
Marina Weiss
English
B.A.
Amherst College
Universidad Tecnologica de Bolivar
Katherine L’Hommedieu Arts, History
B.A.
Whitman College
Colegio San Rafael De Albania e
Instituciones Educativas Nuestra Señora
Del Carmen y Rural de Papayal
Hannah Coleman
History, Education
B.A.
Colby College
Universidad del Norte
Theresa Freet
Spanish
B.A.
California State University, Long Universidad de la Salle
Beach
Anna Volk
Psychology
B.A.
Vassar College
Universidad Nacional
Anna Makowski
Spanish, Political Science
B.A.
University of Idaho
Universidad Autonoma de Bucaramanga
Cherilyn Gain
English, International
Studies
B.A.
University of Arizona
Universidad Industrial de Santander
Elizabeth Stokely
History, Latin American
Studies
B.A.
Dickinson College
Universidad Santiago de Cali
John Peña
Fine Arts
M.A.
Carnegie Mellon University
Universidad del Valle
1
Fulbright Annual Report 2008 • 25
Teacher Exchange Program
Eight elementary and high school teachers from Colombia and the U.S. participated in the 2008 Fulbright Teacher Exchange
Program. In this innovative international job swap, four Colombian public and private school teachers from Bogota and
Manizales replaced their American colleagues in schools across the U.S. While they were teaching Spanish and providing a
window onto Colombian culture to their new students, the four American grantees held their own as English teachers in the
Colombian schools. Not only do the students benefit from direct contact with native speakers, but the teachers return to their
homes after the year-long exchange experience with improved language skills and new insight into life in another country.
Grantees
Host institution
City
Rebel Green
Colegio de San Luis Gonzaga
Manizales
Carlos Andres Gallego
Luella High School
Locus Grove, Georgia
Jennifer Chocran-Mosquera
Gimnasio La Arboleda
Bogota
Siris Mena
Granville Middle School
Granville, Ohio
Bernard D’Amours
Colegio Misael Pastrana Borrero
Bogota
Janneth Neira
Souhegan High School
Amherst, New Hampshire
Kimberly Kennedy
Escuela Normal Superior Distrital Maria Montessori
Bogota
Sandra Ramos
Alameda High School
Alameda, California
1. Cecilia Maria Velez White, Secretary of Education with U.S. grantees
Anna Makowski and Cherilyn Gain
2. Teacher Exchange Program grantees with Directors of San Luis de
Gonzaga School, Manizales, Caldas
2
Academic
Agenda
In addition to the academic, research and scientific activities of the Fulbright grantees, the
Commission conducted its own academic agenda throughout the year, both in Bogota and in
regional cities.
Leadership Training and U.S. Studies
Fulbright Colombia, in partnership with the Department of Anthropology at the Universidad de los Andes and the Bureau
of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. State Department, held the Leadership Training and U.S. Studies Program
from June 9-20, 2008 in Bogota. The program’s purpose was to introduce a select group of minority Colombian university
students to the U.S. political system and provide introductory training in leadership theory and practice. From a pool of 100
applicants, 20 Afrocolombian and Indigenous university students were selected for the course, 10 from Bogota and 10 from
different regions of Colombia.
The U.S. studies component was led by Dr. James Magee, Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the
University of Delaware, Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Virginia and specialist in American politics and public
law with an emphasis on constitutional law and the U.S. Supreme Court. The leadership courses were conducted by Audrey
Helfman., Ph.D. in Urban Studies and Public Policy, and Associate Professor in the Leadership Program of the Institute of Public
Administration from the University of Delaware, where she also teaches in the Leadership Development Program for Women.
Conference on U.S. Elections
The conference The U.S. Election and Its Implication for Colombia, was held June 13 at the Universidad de los Andes’ School
of Government, with visiting professor James Magee from the Department of Political Science and International Relations at
the University of Delaware. Dr. Magee’s overview of the U.S. electoral system and presidential candidates Obama, Clinton
and McCain, as well as his own electoral prognostications, were followed by guest commentators Rodrigo Pardo, Director of
Cambio Magazine, and Arlene Tickner, Professor in the Department of Political Science at the Universidad de los Andes. Carlos
Caballero, Director of the School of Government, and Fulbright Executive Director Ann Mason hosted the well attended event.
Fulbright-Uninorte Conference
Conflict and Post-conflict in Colombia was the subject of the Fulbright-Uninorte 2008 Conference, held at the Universidad
del Norte in Barranquilla on August 23-24. The Conference is a space for discussion, analysis and exchange of ideas, which
has been consolidating over the past 9 years. The Conference addresses issues affecting the relationship between Latin
America and U.S. and seeks to strengthen links between academic sectors of both countries pursuing to consolidate the
spirit of Fulbright mission.
In its ninth year, the conference brought together a select group of panelists led by Eduardo Pizarro, Director of the
National Commission for Reparation and Reconciliation who spoke about the processes facing Colombia in the post-conflict
era. Also as panelists were Gustavo Bell, Former Vice-President and current Director of El Heraldo newspaper, Joseph
Rota, Vice Chancellor of International Programs at Ohio University, and Alex Betancourt, Professor of Political Science at
the University of Puerto Rico and Fulbright scholar. Rafael Obregon, Professor of Communications at Ohio University and
Jesus Arroyave, Professor of Communication at the Universidad del Norte, both former Fulbright grantees, also participated
in the conference. Karen Greiner, Ph.D. candidate in Communications from Ohio University and Fulbright grantee, University
President Jesus Ferro, Vice-President Carmen Helena de Peña and Fulbright’s Ann Mason of Colombia also participated.
In addition to special conferences about Ohio University, the conference also offered cultural activities including U.S. films
and a Jazz performance under the leadership of Gabriel Rondon.
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28 • Fulbright Annual Report 2008
International Seminar on Higher Education
Fulbright and the School of Government Alberto Lleras Camargo of the Universidad de los Andes co-hosted the International
Seminar on Higher Education on November 12-13. Through a dialoge between practitioners and analysts, the Seminar sought
to develop specific recommendations on higher education policy in Colombia
The Secretary of Education Cecilia Maria Velez White opened the event with an overview of the current situation of higher
education in Colombia. Additionally, the seminar served to suggest guidelines for a long term education policy in Colombia.
The panel of experts included Andres Bernasconi, researcher at the Universidad Andres Bello of Chile; Dorothy Zinberg from
Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government; Bruce Johnstone, Professor of Comparative Education at the University
of Buffalo, former Chancellor of the State University System of New York SUNY and a former Fulbright scholar; and Adriana
Jaramillo, from the World Bank and former Fulbright grantee. The event also included Carlos Angulo and Jose Rafael Toro,
President and Academic Rector of the Universidad de los Andes, respectively, Alberto Uribe, President of the Universidad de
Antioquia, and Francisco Miranda, opinion editor of El Tiempo newspaper and former Fulbright grantee.
The second day of the conference continued with a close session among university and government representatives to
discuss the myriad proposals made by the panelists.
U.S. Higher Education
The official visit of Dr. Bruce Johnstone to Colombia also included two lectures on higher education in the U.S., which provided overviews of the history, structure, financing and academic and research characteristics of the U.S. university system.
The first conference took place November 10 with students, faculty and alumni of the Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano,
and was hosted by university president Fernando Isaza. A second talk was given at the Universidad Nacional, with opening
remarks by Jorge Bula, Dean of the Economics Department and Fulbrighter.
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Fulbright Annual Report 2008 • 29
Fulbright Forums
One of the many ways in which U.S. scholars and visiting professors disseminate their research projects in Colombia is through
the Fulbright Forum series. Seminars and symposiums organized jointly by the Commission and host universities are open to the
academic communities and the general public.
■■
Puppetry in Mexico and their Contribution to National Identity
William Beezley, Professor of History, University of Arizona
September 2008, Universidad de los Andes
■■
Ending Punitive Paramilitary Violence in Northern Ireland: A Case Study of Community-Based Intervention - and
Demobilization and Community Regeneration in Loyalist Northern Ireland: A Case Study
Harry Mika, Professor of Sociology, Central University of Michigan and associate researcher, School of Law at Queens
University, Belfast
October 2008, Universidad de los Andes and Universidad del Rosario
■■
Citizen Media, Community Media and the Construction of an Informed Public Opinion - The Case of the Popular
Minga 2008
Mario Murillo, Professor, School of Communications, Hofstra University and New York University
November 2008, Corporacion Universitaria Minuto de Dios
■■
Poetry Seminar: Generative Vanguard and Translation
Craig Arnold, Professor of English, University of Wyoming
November 2008, National Library
■■
Favela Dreams
Alex Betancourt, Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of Puerto Rico
November 2008, Universidad de los Andes
■■
Methods for Surface Muscle Activity Measurement
Jack Dennerlein, Professor, Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Harvard University
November 2008, Universidad Javeriana
1. James Magee, Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the
University of Delaware and Audrey Helfman Professor of the Institute of Public
Administration from the University of Delaware with the participants of the
Leadership Training and U.S. Studies Seminar
2. James Magee, Arlene Tickner, Professor of Political Science Department,
Universidad de los Andes and Rodrigo Pardo, Director, Cambio Magazine
3. Eduardo Pizarro, Director of the National Commission for Reparation and
Reconciliation
4. Carlos Caballero, Director, School of Government, Universidad de los Andes; with
panelists Andres Bernasconi, Dorothy Zinberg, Ann Mason, Adriana Jaramillo
and Bruce Johnstone
5. Bruce Johnstone at the Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano
6. Craig Arnold, poetry seminar at the National Library
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6
Highlights 2008
Fulbright Distinctions
The Colombian government conferred two prestigious awards on Fulbright Colombia to commemorate its 50th anniversary.
The Silver Cross Condecoration of the National Order of Merit was conferred by the President of the Republic and presented
by Minister of Foreign Affairs Fernando Araujo on February 25 in the Palace of San Carlos. Minister Araujo’s remarks praised
the Commission’s contribution to building a more pluralistic and democratic society.
Colombia’s House of Representatives awarded Fulbright the Simon Bolivar Order of Democracy of the Grand Knight for
its half century of achievements. The distinction was conferred on March 10 in the Capitol by Fulbrighter and Congressional
Representative Pedro Obando.
U.S. Ambassador to Colombia and Honorary Chairman of the Fulbright Board, William R. Brownfield, received both honors
on behalf of the Commission. The award ceremonies were attended by former grantees, Colombian and U.S. government
officials, university representatives, board members, staff and former directors of the Commission.
Fulbright Award for Excellence 2008
The recipient of the 2008 Fulbright Award for Excellence was Ramon Fayad. Established in 2007, the prize honors former
Fulbright grantees who symbolize the Fulbright values of leadership, service and academic excellence and who have fostered
mutual understanding between the U.S. and Colombia.
Dr. Fayad was selected for his outstanding contribution to the scientific and academic community in Colombia. His principal area of research has been biophysics. He is a Physicist and Mathematician from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana,
and earned his Ph.D. in Physics from Lehigh University from 1976-79 with a Fulbright grant. He served as Dean of the Faculty
of Sciences at Universidad de los Andes and as President of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Dr. Fayad is currently
serving as Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the Universidad del Rosario.
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Launch of the Afrocolombian Leadership Grant
The new Leadership Grant for Afrocolombians was officially launched on March 25, 2008 in the Compartir Center in Cali’s
Aguablanca district. This Colombian government sponsored initiative seeks to expand higher education opportunities for its
Afrocolombian communities and help form a new generation of leaders. The national government, through the Ministry of
Education and ICETEX, and the U.S. government, through USAID, have joined efforts with Fulbright to offer a total of 21 scholarships for graduate studies in the U.S. over three years starting in 2009. Over 500 people attended the signing ceremony, presided
by Colombian’s Vice-President Francisco Santos; U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Brian Nichols; Colombia’s Minister
of Foreign Affairs Fernando Araujo; Deputy Secretary for Higher Education Gabriel Burgos; President of ICETEX Marta Lucia
Villegas; Director of USAID Liliana Ayalde; and Fulbright Director Ann Mason. The event concluded with a personal testimony by
Fulbright grantee Rosa Aurita Charrupi in which she emphasized the new program’s commitment to equal opportunity.
Friends of Fulbright Foundation
Friends of Fulbright Foundation is a new non-profit organization established in 2008 to support the Commission’s social and
educational projects. The Foundation can accept contributions and donations from individuals, private companies and nonprofits that wish to support socio-economic development and scientific research in Colombia by investing in advanced training.
In addition, the educational services offered by our Educational Advising Center will be handled through the Foundation.
1. Fernando Araujo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and William R. Brownfield, U.S.
Ambassador to Colombia with Ramon Fayad former Fulbright grantee
2. Mark Wentworth, Maria Cecilia Donado, Ambassador William R. Brownfield,
Carolina Renteria, Pedro Obando, Marcela Garcia, Ann Mason and Juan
Francisco Miranda
3. Fernando Araujo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and William R. Brownfield, U.S
Ambassador to Colombia
4. Fernando Araujo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francisco Santos, Vice-President
of Colombia and Brian Nichols, U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission
3
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Fulbright
Community
Mentoring Program
The Mentoring Program is a new initiative of the Fulbright Community in Colombia, which seeks to capitalize on the knowledge
and expertise of our more than 3,000 former grantees for the benefit of new Fulbrighters. As mentors, former grantees advise
and provide orientation to newly selected grantees who are just beginning the Fulbright experience. This is one of many efforts
by Fulbright to strengthen ties with its growing community of former grantees in both countries.
The Mentoring Program held a training workshop which included the participation of 14 former grantees from all corners of
Colombia acting as the program’s Advisory Committee. The workshop was designed and implemented by the Commission’s
Office of Special Projects and Strategic Opportunities, the consulting firm of former grantee Jorge Hernan Cardenas. The
Mentoring Program, with 112 participants in its first year of operation, is supported by the online platform FulConnect.
Deputy Chief of Mission Nichols Hosts Fulbright
Dinner
U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Brian Nichols hosted a dinner at his residence on August 4 for the 2008 Fulbright
grantees, attended by both arriving U.S. Fulbrighters and Colombian grantees departing for their study programs in the U.S.
Ambassador Brownfield and Public Affairs Officer Mark Wentworth were also on hand for the celebration.
1
2
U.S. Grantee Reception at Caro y Cuervo
The Fulbright Commission and the Instituto Caro y Cuervo offered a warm welcome to the 2008’s arriving group of 37 U.S.
grantees August 5. Special guest, Colombian Secretary of Education Cecilia Maria Velez make remarks to the assembled
group, which included representatives of the governments of Colombia and the U.S., universities, private sector and Fulbright’s
Board of Directors. Genoveva Iriarte, Director of the Instituto Caro y Cuervo, and former Fulbright grantee, hosted the reception.
Congressman Gregory Meeks at Fulbright Gala
The first group of grantees from the Afrocolombian Leadership and Cultural Studies for Indigenous and Afrocolombian
Communities scholarships attended an event held on November 8 at the residence of U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission
Brian Nichols on the occasion of U.S. Congressman Gregory Meeks’ visit to Colombia. Meeks, representing New York’s 6th
congressional district, is a leading member of the Congressional Black Caucus, maintains close ties to Colombia and is an
active supporter of the development of its Afrocolombian agenda.
The event was attended by the Secretary of Culture Paula Moreno, as well as U.S. Embassy officials, delegates from the
Ministries of Culture, Education, Interior and Justice and USAID.
1. William R. Brownfield, U.S. Ambassador to Colombia with U.S. grantees
Karen Greiner, Bernard D’Amours and Hannah Coleman
2. Julian Gonzalez, Director, Corporate Social Responsibility and Ingrid
Ballesteros of Cerrejon with Cecilia Maria Velez White and Ann Mason
at Instituto Caro and Cuervo
3. DCM Brian Nichols and Congressman Gregory Meeks with colombian
grantees Rodrigo Mezu, Mark Taylor and Diego Ivan Lucumi
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34 • Fulbright Annual Report 2008
Awards Ceremony
Over 250 family members, friends, former grantees and representatives of universities and both governments paid tribute to
the 2008 Colombian Fulbright grantees at the annual Awards Ceremony April 24th at the National Museum. Director of the
National Planning Department and former Fulbright grantee Carolina Renteria was the keynote speaker. Renteria completed
her Master’s degree and advanced her doctoral studies in Public Administration at New York University. The head table was
made up of many of Fulbright’s institutional partners, including Paula Moreno, Secretary of Culture, Gabriel Burgos, Deputy
Secretary of Higher Education, Juan Francisco Miranda, Director of Colciencias, David Bojanini, President of Suramericana,
and Mark Wentworth, President of the Fulbright Board of Directors and Public Affairs Officer of the U.S. Embassy in Colombia,
all of whom also made brief congratulatory remarks to the 2008 Fulbrighters.
Orientation Seminars
The annual orientation seminars are a key component of the Fulbright experience. The Commission’s Program Area provides
relevant information on academic life and U.S. culture to the Colombians prior to their departure for the U.S., and introduces
U.S. grantees to Colombia through activities, events and informational talks. The 2008 seminars were supported by our
partners and many former grantees, who generously donated their time and expertise.
Re-entry Breakfast
On January 16, Fulbright Colombia held a re-entry breakfast for former grantees who had returned to Colombia between
2005 and 2008 upon completion of their academic programs and degrees in the U.S. The newly returned Fulbrighters were
informed of alumni events, developments and changes at the Commission in recent years, and special projects designed
exclusively for them such as the Fulbright Community Colombia and the Mentoring Program.
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Fulbright Annual Report 2008 • 35
Enrichment Activities
U.S. Fulbright grantees participated in different enrichment activities during their 2008 stay in Colombia, including a three-day
visit to Villa de Leyva, an integration week in Ecuador, and other cultural activities in Bogota. At the same time, our Colombian
grantees participated in an extensive cultural and academic agenda in the U.S. as a benefit of the Fulbright grant.
Grantee Achievements
Craig Arnold
U.S. Scholar Grant – 2008
Universidad de los Andes, Literature
Fulbright Scholar Craig Arnold launched his second book of poetry in English entitled Made Flesh in 2008. Ph.D. in Creative
Writing from the University of Utah, Arnold currently serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of English at the University
of Wyoming. Arnold, who was honored in 2005 with the Joseph Brodsky Rome Prize by the American Academy of Arts and
Letters, was a visiting Professor in the Literature Department at the Universidad de los Andes during 2008.
Jesus Arroyave
Faculty Development Grant – 2000
Rutgers University, Ph.D. Communications
Dr. Arroyave, the newly appointed Director of the Social Communications-Journalism Program at the Universidad del Norte,
participated in various international events in 2008. In addition to giving a workshop in Guayaquil, Ecuador for the Panamerican
Health Organization OPS, he also lectured at the First Conference on Health Communication in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and at
the Conference of the International Communication Association in Quebec, Canada.
Arshiya Baig
U.S. Scholar Grant – 2007
Universidad de los Andes, Public Health
Arshiya Baig, M.D. with Master’s degree in Public Health from the Tufts University School of Medicine, is an internist at the
University of Michigan. During her residency she conducted a survey on domestic violence which was published in the
Journal of General Internal Medicine. She continued her work in clinical medicine, public health and health policy after being
selected for a post residency fellowship by the prestigious Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program, dedicated to
the development of medical leaders who will transform healthcare in the U.S.
36 • Fulbright Annual Report 2008
Steve Cagan
U.S. Scholar Grant – 2007
Universidad Tecnologica del Choco, Arts
As part of the Festival de San Pacho, benefactor of Quibdo, Choco, Professor Cagan took second place in the photography
contest organized by Satena Airlines, with a series of photographs of the region and its people taken in 2007 during his Fulbright
grant. The prize was donated to the Archdiocese of Quibdo, to support its work in providing services to its displaced population.
Ann Chamberlin
U.S. Scholar Grant – 2006
Universidad de Antioquia, Arts
In 2008 Ann Chamberlin held the exhibition Recent Paintings from Colombia and Mexico in the Laura Schlesinger Gallery in
Santa Monica, California. She was also curator of the exhibition Three Colombian Artists’ in the Xaltemba Gallery, Nayarit,
Mexico. Her paintings of this period were also published in Leer y releer a quarterly newsletter dedicated to reading, books,
writing and art at the Universidad de Antioquia.
Cesar Dario Guerrero
Faculty Development Grant – 2004
University of South Florida, Ph.D. Computer Engeneering
Cesar Guerrero, Professor at the Universidad Autonoma de Bucaramanga who is currently doing a doctorate in Engineering at
the University of South Florida, was honored in 2008 with the Provost Award for Outstanding Teaching by a Graduate Student.
This award was established to recognize the outstanding performance by a graduate student as a teaching assistant. Five
winners were selected from among 100 candidates throughout the university.
Bernardo Hoyos
Graduate Studies Grant – 1959
Southern Methodist University, M.A. Comparative Law
Mr. Hoyos was awarded the Simon Bolivar Life Achievement Prize in recognition of his 55 years dedicated to cultural journalism.
A lawyer by profession and cultural journalist by vocation, he was a BBC cultural repoter and Director of the Spanish edition
of the Journal of Management. Mr. Hoyos was also director of the Radio Bolivariana, and since 1999 has directed the cultural
radiostation HJUT at the Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano.
4
5
6
Fulbright Annual Report 2008 • 37
Luisa Lema
OEA-Fulbright Grant - 2004
Yale University, Ph.D. Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources
Dr. Lema, currently serving as full-time consultant for the United Nations Foundation, is responsible for its portfolio of projects
in biodiversity and sustainable development. She has represented the Foundation in major international events in the field of
conservation, including the Convention on Biological Diversity and the assembly of the International Union for Nature Conservation.
Mauricio Linares
Graduate Studies Grant – 1983
University of Texas/Austin, Ph.D. Genetics
Zoologist Mauricio Linares was invited as one of the main speakers at the seminar The forces driving the evolution: from
Darwin to the modern era held in November 2008 in London. To commemorate the 150 year anniversary of the publication
of Darwin’s theory of evolution in The Origin of the Species, the event brought together leading evolution scientists and
researchers from around the world. Additionally Dr. Linares received the Scientific Merit Award in 2007 conferred by the
Colombian Association for the Advancement of Sciences for his outstanding contribution to the sciences in Colombia.
Claudia C. Marin
Fulbright-Colciencias-DNP Grant – 2000
University at Buffalo, M.A. Engineering
Claudia joined the Engineering Department at Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 2008, after earning her Ph.D. in
Structures and Seismic-resistant Engineering. One of her objectives is to attract Colombian students to pursue graduate
studies in structures in the U.S. and thus contribute to this area of research in Colombia.
Carmen Millan de Benavides
Graduate Studies Grant – 1993
Pennsylvania State University, M.A. Public Administration
Dr. Millan was appointed Professor of the Instituto Pensar at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in 2008. The appointment
culminates a distinguished academic career of teaching research in the social sciences.
1. Carolina Renteria
2. Re-entry breakfast attendees
3. U.S. grantees at enrichment activity
4. Bernardo Hoyos
5. “Prado” 2008, Ann Chamberlin
6. Luisa Fernanda Lema in the field
7. Mauricio Linares
8. Cesar Dario Guerrero with University of South Florida representative
7
8
38 • Fulbright Annual Report 2008
Francisco Ortega
U.S. Scholar Grant – 2002
Universidad Nacional de Colombia, History and Literature
Ortega, Ph.D. in Cultural Studies from the University of Chicago, finished his three-year appointment as Director of the
Universidad Nacional’s Center for Social Studies in 2008, where he developed an inter-and transdisciplinary doctoral
program in the social sciences and humanities. Starting next year he will take up a long term research project in Finland
supported by the European Community on nineteenth century political culture.
Diego Roselli
Graduate Studies Grant – 1992
Harvard University, M.A. Education
In 2008 Neurologist Diego Rosselli successfully completed his project of visiting the 100 largest cities and towns in Colombia.
The results, chronicled as 100 individual reports that appeared in the financial newspaper Portfolio during the last five years,
will be compiled and published in the forthcoming book A History of 100 cities.
Jorge A. Silva
Faculty Development Grant – 2001
University of Pittsburgh, M.A. Engineering
Silva was reappointed to a second three-year term as Chair of the Department of Engineering of the Pontificia Universidad
Javeriana in recognition of the department’s outstanding performance and his achievements in research and teaching.
Andres Tovar
Fulbright-Colciencias-DNP Grant – 2001
University of Notre Dame, Ph.D. Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics
Dr. Tovar was appointed Research Professor at the University of Notre Dame in 2008 after being on the faculty of the
Universidad Nacional. He leads the research group in design optimization OptimUN, classified in Category B by Colciencias,
which developed the conceptual design for a river boat by applying state of the art methodologies used by COTECMAR.
1
2
3
Fulbright Annual Report 2008 • 39
Elena Uprimny
Graduate Studies Grant – 1973
University at Buffalo, M.A. Anthropology
Dr. Uprimny, Professor of Anthropology at the Universidad de los Andes, and colleague Jimena Lobo Guerrero, presented
the results of their research on the archaeological excavations at the Church of St. Nicholas of Tolentino, Barranquilla in 2008,
a significant contribution to the field of historical archeology in Colombia.
Margarita Vasquez
Fulbright – MinCultura Grant – 2005
Ohio University, M.A. Arts
Margarita completed her M.A. thesis project entitled Recognition, exhibited at Majestic Galleries in Nelsonville, Ohio. The
exhibition consisted of four projects that revolved around an exploration of “insignificant” moments or events that may serve
to provide an understanding of the interactions that take place within the many levels of human existence.
1. Margarita Vasquez with Ohio University students
2. Diego Roselli in La Dorada, Caldas
3. Jorge A. Silva
4. Andres Tovar with University of Notre Dame representative
4
English
Initiatives
New Programs Support English Teaching
Fulbright launched two new programs in 2008 in support of English language teaching in Colombia. The Foreign Language
Teaching Assistant program awards grants to Colombian university level English professors to take graduate courses, teach
Spanish, and live on a U.S. university campus for one year. The Teaching Excellence and Achievement program offers
secondary teachers a six-week training course in the U.S. in teaching methodology, pedagogy and curriculum design, with
a teaching practicum.
English Workshops for the Regions
Fulbright offered a total of 10 teaching methodology and skills based workshops for English teachers throughout Colombia
in 2008 in partnership with the Ministry of Education, ICETEX, departmental and local governments. U.S. participants in the
Teacher Exchange Program had the opportunity to meet and swap ideas on foreign language teaching with local counterparts in the regions of Atlantico, Caldas, Santander, Tolima, Antioquia, Quindio and Valle.
English Preparation for Afrocolombian and
Indigenous Grantees
The 2008 grantees of the Afrocolombian Leadership and the Cultural Studies for Afrocolombian and Indigenous Communities
programs participated in an intensive English language program in Colombia in preparation for their graduate studies in the
U.S. English classes, TOEFL and GRE preparatory courses, and an English language immersion exercise in Bogota were
all designed to optimize the candidates’ university admission and to better prepare them for their experience in the U.S.
Additionally, grantees that needed additional training were selected to participate in a semester long intensive English training
in the U.S. prior to the start of their graduate programs.
Institutional TOEFL in Colombia’s Regions
Fulbright administered the Institutional TOEFL exam (ITP) with local partners in 4 regional cities which lack English language
testing facilities. This new ITP service, which determines English language proficiency, facilitated access to Fulbright and
other scholarship programs for residents of Pasto, Quibdo, Riohacha and San Andres.
Regional workshop attendees
Educational
Advising Center
Fulbright’s Educational Advising Center is a primary source of information on U.S. higher
education in Colombia. A certified EducationUSA advising office, the Center provides information about study opportunities, programs, universities, admission requirements and funding.
Advising Services Portfolio
The Educational Advising Center offers a broad portfolio of services, including a reference library, individualized advising,
briefings, webchats, skills-based workshops, webinars and online consultations on issues related to studies in the U.S. In
addition to the Center’s 35 events in 2008, training seminars for international education professionals were also offered in
Baranquilla, Armenia and Guajira.
Educational Outreach
A total of 34 visits to universities throughout Colombia to promote higher education in the U.S. as well as Fulbright scholarships represented the Advising Center’s educational outreach effort in 2008. It also organized several events to celebrate
International Education Week with the collaboration of Fulbright scholars who shared their experiences as international
students in the U.S.
Opportunity Grants
Fulbright’s Advising Center administers the Educational Opportunity Program in Colombia, an EducationUSA initiative that
provides funds to students of scarce resources to begin their studies in the U.S. The grants, which are awarded by Fulbright
and the U.S.-Colombian binational centers throughout the country, cover the costs of the TOEFL exam, university admissions, translations and travel, among others. In 2008 Fulbright disbursed more than $24,000 to support 20 Opportunity
Grants for deserving young Colombians.
Translation Services
In 2008 the Educational Advising Center began offering official translation services for Fulbright candidates and grantees, as
well as to the general public in support of the admissions process to U.S. universities.
Olga Lucia Sanchez in advising session
Promotion and
Communications
2008 National Tour
In keeping with Fulbright’s commitment to improve regional access to its grant opportunities and the diversification of its grantee
pool, a 25-city national tour was carried out during 2008. More than 110 meetings and presentations were held at universities,
research centers, community organizations and binational centers throughout Colombia. Fulbright grants were also promoted
through promotional breakfast meetings, radio and television interviews, videoconferencing and webchat services.
Communications
The communications area supports Fulbright activities and grant promotion efforts through a coordinated strategy that
involves the website, mass electronic mailings, and publications, including the Colombian Quarterly and the Annual Report,
and media relations. 2008 saw the development of the first stage of FulConnect, a new internet based platform that will
eventually integrate all online services related to prospective, current and former Fulbright grantees. The group of cohorts
selected in 2008 assisted in beta testing FulConnect’s newly selected grantee management component.
Breakfast Seminars
Fulbright offered three breakfast seminars in 2008 to kick off the annual promotion and dissemination campaign of its grant
portfolio. Over 120 representatives of university offices of international relations, academic media and the Afrocolombian and
Indigenous communities attended.
Strategic
Relations
Fulbright Colombia conducts its operations within a corporate network consisting of public and
private organizations in both countries. These organizations provide the political, academic, administrative and financial base to carry out its exchange programs. The growth of the Fulbright
Program in Colombia depends on the continued development of diversified forms of cooperation with our existing partners and new strategic relationships. Although the U.S. and Colombia
governments are our main partners, many organizations contribute to our framework of operations, from universities in both countries that offer tuition waivers, to the Colombian institutions
which co-sponsor our grantees.
In 2008 Fulbright renewed agreements of cooperation with the Ministry of Education, ICETEX,
Suramericana, El Cerrejon, and the Phelps Stokes Fund.
Government of the United States of America
J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship
Board
Created by a legislative act of the U.S. Congress, the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship
Board oversees the Fulbright Program. Its 12 members, appointed by the President of the U.S.,
have backgrounds in academia, the cultural sector and public life. The Foreign Scholarship
Board sets the policies of the program and approves the grant nominees.
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs,
U.S. State Department
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the State Department is the administrative
and executive arm of the Fulbright Program. It has fiscal responsibility for the annual budget,
and makes the annual allocation of Congressional funds to Fulbright Colombia and the other
Commissions.
46 • Fulbright Annual Report 2008
United States Embassy
The U.S. Embassy in Colombia is the local contact for the Fulbright Commission and supports
its exchange activities. Not only is the U.S. Ambassador the Honorary Chairman of the Board
of Directors, but the Public Affairs Officer and the Cultural Attache are both also members of
Fulbright’s Board.
United States Agency for International
Development (USAID)
Fulbright Colombia and USAID signed an agreement of cooperation in 2007 in support of the
Colombian government’s Program for Afrocolombian Leaders, with USAID providing resources
for the pre-academic, leadership and administrative components.
Government of Colombia
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is Fulbright’s institutional home within the Colombian
Government. The Ministry not only upholds the terms of the binational agreement between both
governments that established the Fulbright Commission, but also represents the Colombian
government on the Fulbright board of directors.
Ministry of National Education
Fulbright and the Ministry of Education actively cooperate in support of educational exchange
between the U.S. andColombia. The Office of the Under Secretary for Higher Education
participates in two joint initiatives with the Colombian government: the Regions grant program,
and the Afrocolombian Leaders grant which, in partnership with ICETEX and USAID, supports
graduate studies for 21 outstanding Colombians of African descent starting in 2009. Additionally,
the Office of Bilingualism supports the English Teaching Assistants program.
Ministry of Culture
The Ministry of Culture and Fulbright have been working together for seven years to provide
advanced training for Colombian artists in the U.S. Not only was the agreement that supports the
Fulbright-Mincultura Program for the Arts renewed in 2008, but it was also amended to include
the Cultural Studies Program for Afrocolombian and Indigenous Communities. This new initiative
seeks to strengthen the country’s cultural diversity by supporting graduate study grants for 15
members of Colombia’s ethnic minority groups.
Fulbright Annual Report 2008 • 47
National Planning Department
The 1996 agreement between Fulbright and the National Planning Department (DNP), the first
of its kind signed with the Colombian government, seeks to support advanced training for
Colombia’s human resource. DNP continues to provide technical expertise for both the
Fulbright–Colciencias-DNP and the Regions grants.
Colciencias
Colciencias and Fulbright joined forces in 1997 to provide opportunities for postgraduate
studies in the U.S. so as to strengthen research competencies in Colombia. In the 11 years
since its launch, the Fulbright-Colciencias-DNP Program has provided grants which have
allowed more than 164 Colombians to obtain their Masters’ and Ph.D. degrees. Colciencias is
also a principal partner in the Fulbright Regions Program, along with the Ministry of Education
and DNP.
ICETEX
Two agreements of cooperation with ICETEX have worked to strengthen exchanges between
both countries. Fulbright’s English Teaching Assistant grant is co-administered by ICETEX’s Office
of International Relations, through its Language Assistant Program. ICETEX also oversees
the fund that makes possible the Colombian government’s Afrocolombian Leaders Program
offered in partnership with Fulbright and USAID.
Private Sector
Suramericana
In 2008 Suramericana and Fulbright renewed their agreement first signed in 1999, to support
advanced education for professionals associated with the companies of the Antioquia Business
Consortium. 50 Colombians have so far completed Master’s degrees in the fields of business,
economics, and engineering with Fulbright-Suramericana grants.
Foundations of the Antioquia Business
Consortium
Fulbright’s relation with the Antioquia Business Consortium was strengthened in 2008 through a
new agreement with its leading foundations dedicated to creating new educational opportunities
for and the development of the region. The Antioquia Professor grant is made possible by
donations from the Foundations of Bancolombia, Argos, Grupo Nacional de Chocolates and
Suramericana.
48 • Fulbright Annual Report 2008
El Cerrejon
Fulbright and the Cerrejon Company cooperate in two educational initiatives designed to benefit
development efforts in La Guajira. Starting in 2008, Cerrejon’s Foundation for Institutional
Development has supported the Fulbright-Cerrejon grant for La Guajira, which finances graduate
studies for a socially and professionally committed professional from the region. The Foundation
also supports a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant grant in two departmental public schools.
Phelps Stokes Fund
A 2008 agreement between Fulbright and the Phelps Stokes Fund of Washington, D.C.
supports the leadership component of the new program for Afrocolombian Leaders. The
oldest nonprofit organization in the U.S. dedicated to Afro and Native American education,
development and leadership, the Phelps Stokes Fund will carry out leadership training for
Fulbright’s Afrocolombian beneficiaries.
Sponsors
Many of Fulbright’s 2008 grants are made possible through the generous co-sponsorship of
the following universities, research institutes and private companies throughout Colombia.
■■
Argos S.A
■■
Leasing Bancolombia S.A
■■
Universidad del Norte
■■
Asociacion Calidris
■■
Pontificia Universidad Javeriana
■■
Universidad del Valle
■■
Bancolombia S.A
■■
Suramericana S.A.
■■
Universidad EAFIT
■■
Cenicafe
■■
■■
Universidad Industrial de Santander
■■
Cenipalma
Universidad Autonoma de
Bucaramanga
■■
Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano
Colcafe Colombia
■■
Universidad de Antioquia
■■
Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana
Colegio Mayor de Nuestra Señora
del Rosario
■■
Universidad de Caldas
■■
Universidad Santiago de Cali
■■
Universidad de la Sabana
■■
Universidad Tecnologica de Bolivar
■■
Comfacauca
■■
Universidad de la Salle
■■
Compañia Nacional de Chocolates
■■
Universidad de los Andes
■■
Corpoica
■■
Universidad de Medellin
■■
Escuela de Ingenieria de Antioquia
■■
Universidad de Nariño
■■
■■
Fulbright Annual Report 2008 • 49
U.S. Cooperating Agencies
IIE (Institute of International Education)
IIE is our cooperating agency for the Graduate, Artists, and Science & Technology programs,
in charge of the university admissions and monitoring of the Colombian grantees during their
studies. IIE also handles the application and pre-selection process for the U.S. Student and
English Teaching Assistant Programs, administers the Humphrey Program, and offers the
Fulbright orientation and enrichment seminars.
CIES (Council for the International
Exchange of Scholars)
CIES is the agency in charge of Fulbright Colombia’s exchange programs for professors and
researchers. CIES administers the call for applications and the peer review process for the U.S.
Scholar, Visiting Scholar, Fulbright Specialist and Scholar-in-Residence Programs.
LASPAU (Academic and Professional
Programs for the Americas)
Associated with Harvard University, LASPAU is the cooperating agency for the majority of our
grant programs. LASPAU oversees university admissions and the monitoring of the Colombian
grantees in the Faculty Development, Fulbright-Colciencias-DNP, Regions, Afrocolombian
Leadership, Cultural Studies for Afrocolombian and Indigenous, Fulbright-Suramericana and
Fulbright-Cerrejon Grants.
Financial
Report
Audit Report
We have audited the accompanying financial statements of the Commission for Educational Exchange between the United
States of America and Colombia, which comprise the statement of assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2008 and the
related statement of operations, fixed assets and of cash flow for the year then ended, and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory notes.
Management is responsible for the preparation and presentation of these financial statements in accordance with the
accountability and financial reporting practices prescribed by the Manual for Binational Commissions and Foundations, issued at a
worldwide level by the Office of Academic Exchange Programs of the Department of State of the U.S., dated on March, 2005. This
responsibility includes: designing, implementing and maintaining internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation
of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; selecting and applying appropriate
accounting policies; and making accounting estimates that are reasonable in the circumstances.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing. Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement
of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control
relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are
appropriate in the circumstances. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the
reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Commission for
Educational Exchange between the United States of America and Colombia as of September 30, 2008, and the results of its operations, its fixed assets and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with the Commission´s accounting policies and practices described in the Note 2 of the financial statements, based on the Manual for Binational Commissions and Foundations, issued
at a worldwide level by the Office of Academic Exchange Programs of the Department of State of the U.S., dated on March, 2005.
The financial statements of the Commission for the year ended September 30, 2007, were audited by another auditor whose
report dated January 14, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements.
Luis Alfredo Caicedo Ancines
Audit Partner. BAKER TILLY COLOMBIA LTDA
Summary Financial Report for the Year Ended
September 30, 2008
Statement of Financial Operations
2008
2007
United States Government Funds
1,319,586
1,130,490
Colombian Government Funds
Revenue
2,057,415
1,252,335
Other Sources
123,485
24,878
Total Revenues
3,500,486
2,407,703
Expenses
871,214
577,166
1,937,268
1,190,311
Non-grant Activities
143,762
215,393
Administrative Expenses
505,508
417,503
42,734
3,000
3,500,486
2,403,373
0
4,330
2,883,584
1,959,454
174,290
170,070
-174,290
-170,070
2,883,584
1,959,454
2,593,048
1,823,323
303,752
149,347
-13,216
-13,216
2,883,584
1,959,454
Programs
Future Program Commitments
Other Expenses
Total Expenses
Net Surplus (deficit) for the year expenses
Statement of financial position
Current Assets
Fixed Assets
Accumulated Depreciation
Total Assets
Current Liabilities and Commitments
Long Term Liabilities
Fund Balance
Total Liabilities
Note:
This is a summary of Fulbright Colombia’s audited financial report for the year ended on September 30, 2008. This summary financial report has been extracted from the fully audited financial report, dated April 27, 2009. A copy of the full financial statements can be obtained from the Administrative and Financial
Office of Fulbright Colombia.
Commission
Staff
Executive Director
Program Services
Public Affairs Services
Corporate Services
Interns
Ann C. Mason
Marcela Garcia
Olga Lucia Sanchez
Susana Casallas
Beth West
Program Officer
Educational Advisor
Administrative Director
Alexandra Moreno
Carolina Santacruz
Juan Carlos Rodriguez
Junior Program Officer
Special Projects Coordinator
Systems Engineer
Catalina Ahumada
Carolina Mila
Piedad Valero
Junior Program Officer
Communications Coordinator
Receptionist
Sylvia Castrillon
Rocio Molina
Program Advisor
General Services
Catalina Giron
Lucy Rengifo
Program Advisor
Laura del Castillo
Program Assistant
Marcela Garcia, Sylvia Castrillon, Milena Osorio, Sandra Leon, Rocio Molina, Alexandra Moreno, Juan Carlos Rodriguez, Piedad Valero,
Catalina Ahumada, Olga Lucia Sanchez, Carolina Santacruz, Ann Mason and Juana Cadavid
Facts and
Figures
Total Fulbright Colombia Grantees 1999-2008
Colombian Grantees
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
48
34
27
35
35
46
34
38
29
57
Master's Students
30
24
19
21
15
24
17
19
17
21
Ph.D. Students
18
10
8
14
20
22
17
19
12
36
Research and Teaching
3
2
3
1
1
2
4
3
4
5
Teacher Exchange Program
4
5
5
5
5
5
4
6
5
4
55
41
35
41
41
53
42
47
38
66
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
5
6
9
11
9
13
10
13
13
12
U.S. Scholar
-
6
9
6
5
9
8
7
7
6
Fulbright Specialists
5
-
-
5
4
4
2
6
6
6
U.S. Student
9
7
9
8
12
11
13
10
11
9
ETA
8
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
12
Teacher Exchange
-
7
6
5
5
5
5
6
6
4
Total Grantees
22
20
24
24
26
29
28
29
30
37
Total Fulbright Grantes
77
61
59
65
67
82
70
76
68
103
Graduate Studies
Total Grantees
U.S. Grantees
Professors
54 • Fulbright Annual Report 2008
Number of Applications - Grants for Colombians
2004-2008
279
277
259
220
199
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Colombian Grantees 2004-2008
36
24
22
21
19 19
17 17
17
12
Master’s degree students
5
4
2
6
4
4
3
5
5
4
Ph.D. students
Research and teaching
Secondary teachers
2005
2004
2006
2007
2008
U.S. Grantees 2004-2008
13
12
11
11
10
9
9
8
7
7
6
6
6
6
6
6
5
5
4
4
U.S. scholar
Fulbright specialists
U.S. student
Secondary teachers
2
2004
2005
ETA
2006
2007
2008
Fulbright Annual Report 2008 • 55
Fulbright Colombia Grantees 2004-2008
103
82
2004
70
76
2005
2006
68
2007
2008
Colombian Applicants by Level of Education 2008
3% Ph.D.
6% specialization
41% undergraduate
50% master’s
Colombian Grantees by Regions 2008
Nariño 2%
Risaralda 3%
Valle del Cauca 3%
Cauca 2%
Bolivar 3%
Caldas 6%
Atlantico 8%
Bogota 38%
Santander 9%
Antioquia 27%
Colombian Grantees by Gender 2008
38% women
61% men
Fulbright Informe Anual 2008 • 55
Becarios Fulbright Colombia 2004-2008
103
82
2004
2006
2005
76
70
68
2007
2008
Nivel de Estudio de los Becarios Colombianos
al Presentarse a la Beca 2008
3% doctorado
6% especialización
41% pregrado
50% maestría
Departamentos de los Becarios Colombianos 2008
Nariño 2%
Risaralda 3%
Cauca 2%
Valle del Cauca 3%
Bolívar 3%
Caldas 6%
Atlántico 8%
Bogotá 38%
Santander 9%
Antioquia 27%
Becarios Colombianos según Género 2008
62% hombres
38% mujeres
Annual Report