Tuesday, April 6, 2004

WRITER: Phil Williams, 706/542-8501, phil@franklin.uga.edu
SOURCE: Lioba Moshi, 706/542-5314, moshi@uga.edu

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GIVES UGA AFRICAN STUDIES INSTITUTE A THREE-YEAR, $364,818 GRANT

ATHENS, Ga. – The U. S. Department of Education has awarded the African Studies Institute at the University of Georgia a three-year grant of $364,818 to help develop a sustainable African studies curriculum that can be used in other Georgia universities. UGA will be working with African Studies Council, a consortium of schools in the University System of Georgia, and plans for the grant include the teaching of African languages in selected institutions.

Collaborating institutions are UGA, Columbus State University and Georgia State University, according to Lioba Moshi, director of UGA’s Africa Studies Program.

“This grant is further recognition of the success of the African Studies Institute and a tribute to Dr. Moshi’s outstanding work as director,” said Wyatt Anderson, dean of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.

Moshi praised those who helped in securing the grant.

“I would be remiss if I did not say that the African Studies Institute owes its success to Ms. Jennifer Frum of the Office of International Public Service and Outreach for her expertise and assistance in grants writing,” said Moshi.

The Africa Council is a consortium of institutions that have established or have now-emerging African Studies programs.

The objectives of the proposed initiative focus on improving the quality of teaching and research on Africa through specific curriculum improvements and opportunities for students to learn about Africa, providing faculty development opportunities and by building awareness on the part of administrators who will approve and mandate program changes.

“The benefits of establishing the System wide African Studies Certificate will be immediate, broad and enduring,” said Moshi. “Given the existing structural and international resources at the University of Georgia, the program should be fully operational within three years.”