Ukrainian scholars program is launched at Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences (12/17/06)

Ukrainian scholars program is launched at Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - During a recent visit to Ukraine to receive an honorary degree, the dean of Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, Robert Steele, announced a new joint program to encourage scholarship and professional development among faculty at Ukrainian agricultural universities.

Beginning in 2007, the Woskob International Research in Agriculture, or WIRA, program - made possible by an endowment from real estate developers Helen and Alex Woskob of State College, Pa., - will bring as many as four Ukrainian scholars to Penn State each year during the fall semester to study educational methods, take and co-teach courses, establish links with Penn State researchers and promote study-abroad opportunities for undergraduate students.

"It's very fitting that the Ukrainian word 'wira' [vira] means 'trust,' " Mr. Steele said. "We hope that the partnerships made possible by the Woskobs' generosity will enhance agricultural research, education and productivity in Ukraine and encourage global understanding, collaboration and friendship among faculty members and students at participating universities."

The announcement came during ceremonies at Lviv State Agricultural University near Lviv, where Mr. Steele received an honorary doctorate. The College of Agricultural Sciences has a longstanding relationship with Lviv in co-sponsoring student and faculty exchange programs.

"The similarities between Penn State and LSAU are striking," Mr. Steele noted. "Penn State celebrated its sesquicentennial in 2005, and Lviv [State Agricultural University] is marking its 150th anniversary this year. Both institutions are dedicated to generating scientific knowledge that can be put to practical use and to training new generations of researchers and educators." Also coincidentally, "Lviv" translates to "lion" in English, Mr. Steele noted, pointing out Penn State's "Nittany Lion" mascot.

The honorary doctorate was Mr. Steele's second from a Ukrainian university in a little more than a year. He was similarly recognized by National Agrarian University in Kyiv in September 2005.

The WIRA scholars program will be open to full-time faculty members at all Ukrainian agricultural universities.

Natives of Ukraine, the Woskobs are founders and co-owners of State College, Pa.-based A.W. and Sons Enterprises. Since 1963 they have developed numerous real estate projects in Centre County, including housing for thousands of Penn State students.

The Woskobs have a long history of support for higher education. In 1992, they established the Ukrainian Agricultural Exchange Program, enabling collaboration between the College of Agricultural Sciences and the Ukrainian Agricultural Academy. They have been involved in the university's Ukrainian Studies Program and have served on the advisory board of the Center for Ukrainian Agriculture.

More information on the Woskob International Research in Agriculture program is available by calling the College of Agricultural Sciences Office of International Programs at 814-863-0249 or by logging on to http://www.cas.psu.edu/docs/international/Default.html.

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