University of Arkansas Daily Headlines, AR
02-15-07
International Exchange Program Provides Opportunities for Graduate Studies,
Research at European Universities
Five UA students have completed research and study programs in Europe
through the Renewable Resources and Clean Technology International
Exchange Program, and a sixth is in Belgium now, said Dr. Andy Proctor,
professor of food science in Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life
Sciences.
The program is open to seniors and graduate students in any college at the
university, Proctor said.
The U of A is the lead U.S. institution in the program that links three universities
here with three universities in Europe, Proctor said. The other American partners
are Iowa State University and the University of Washington. The European
institutions are the University of Ghent, Belgium, the Karl-Franzens University of
Graz, Austria, and the National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse, France.
Ph.D. student Devon Cameron of Rogers was the first UA student to participate
in the program. In fall 2005, she took classes and conducted research at Graz,
Austria, in the extraction of starches from potatoes that can be used to
synthesize "biopolymers" as a substitute for plastics products.
A U.S. Department of Education grant covers the travel and living expenses of
eligible students while they are studying abroad for up to five months. Language
training, if needed, will also be provided. Students must pay their own travel from
the U.S. to their host countries, but they pay no fees to the host universities.
Interested students can contact Proctor at 479-575-2980 or send him an e-mail
at aproctor@uark.edu. Information about the program is also available on the
Web at http://www.foodscience.uark.edu/biorenewable%20resources.html
The full story is on the Web at
http://www.uark.edu/depts/agripub/Publications/Agnews/agnews07-8.html