May 11, 2020 | UHCL Staff
The Office of Global Learning and Strategy was hosted Fulbright scholar Roberta Muchangwe of Zambia for a presentation to University of Houston-Clear Lake’s Principles of Public Relations students about journalism practices in Zambia. The presentation, made possible by the Fulbright Outreach Lecturing Fund, took place via Zoom on April 9.
The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Its aim is to promote international good will through the exchange of students in the fields of education, culture and science.
“I am stationed at Texas Southern University as a scholar-in-residence,” Muchangwe said. “In this program, I am required to not only work in the official host university, but also to teach or speak in other universities. (Executive Director of Education Abroad and Scholar Services) Bianca Schonberg reached out to me and asked me to speak to a communication class. (Assistant Professor of Communication) Anna Klyueva showed interest, so I spoke to her class.”
In Zambia, Muchangwe said she taught basic news writing and reporting, advertising and media courses at the University of Zambia in Lusaka.
“Professor Muchangwe spoke about the Zambian media industry, journalists and public relations to my class,” Klyueva said. “Despite being unable to speak in person due to the quarantine, the discussion was still very informative and enthusiastic, and the students were very engaged.”
Klyueva added that she was also working with Muchangwe on a research project on public relations practices and roles in African countries. “In collaboration with my colleague from Texas State University, we have data collected from Zimbabwe, which borders Zambia,” she said. “I’m very fortunate to get in contact with Prof. Muchangwe and expand our research project. It was a great opportunity to meet and network. Without this presentation, we would have never met.”
The Office of Education Abroad and Scholar Services procured the funding to bring Muchangwe’s presentation to UHCL. Muchangwe led a second Zoom presentation, discussing African culture and study abroad opportunities in Africa on April 30.
“We know global learning is impactful, and it is collaborations such as this that continue to spur interest and desire to learn and connect globally,” said Schonberg.
Learn more about study abroad opportunities at UHCL online.
