UT's South Asia Institute grant to fund language program
The National Security Education Program awarded a grant of more than $700,000 to UT's South Asia Institute to establish the nation's first National Flagship Language Program in both Hindi and Urdu.
The grant will fund the new Hindi and Urdu Flagship Program, which will enroll 10 students, for the 2007-2008 school year, said James Brow, director of the South Asia Institute.
Students in the language intensive program are expected to achieve near native fluency of Hindi and Urdu, which are both widely spoken and significant in the modern world, Brow said. During the third year of the program, students will study abroad at a prominent Indian university, he said.
Students will major in different fields while participating in the program, said Sarah Green, associate director of the institute.
The program will use modern technology to increase language proficiency, Green said. Students will receive iPods with availability to audio-visual materials in Hindi and Urdu.
The program considers Hindi and Urdu important languages in South Asia's professional arenas and in today's global marketplace, Green said. UT was awarded the grant because of its outstanding language faculty in Hindi and Urdu, she said.
- Joseph Boone
First non-Brazilian to serve as curator of Mercosur Biennial
Gabriel Perez-Barreiro, the curator of Latin American art at the Blanton Museum has been appointed to serve as the chief curator for the 2007 Mercosur Biennial, a Latin American art exhibition held in Porto Alegre, Brazil that attracts more than 1 million visitors.
"It's such an honor that he was asked to serve in this capacity," said Jessie Otto Hite, Blanton Museum director. "It will bring recognition to both him and the Blanton."
Perez-Barreiro is the first non-Brazilian to serve as chief curator of the Biennial, and will be directly responsible for organizing seven exhibits. Over the next year, Perez-Barreiro will travel between Austin and Porto Alegre, working for both the Blanton and the exhibition.
The name of the exhibition comes from a customs union between many South American counties whose artists will be featured at the Biennial, according to a press release.
- Julio Trujillo
Texas Creative launches site to spotlight student work
The Department of Advertising's Texas Creative sequence launched a new Web site featuring some of the best work of current students.
The program initially launched the site in May, and began featuring more students' work this semester.
Texas Creative is a selective advertising track within Advertising focusing on creative aspects of the field. The program has between 100 and 120 advertising students at any given time, all of whom must apply and must have completed the entry level advertising courses, said Sean Thompson, lecturer in the Department of Advertising.
The decision to make a Web site was a logical next step as students and faculty considered ways to make their work available to alumni and recruiters, Thompson said.
"Basically, we're only as good as our students' work, and we're really proud of our students' work," Thompson said.
There are 15 advertising campaigns posted on the Web site, representing the work of more than 30 students. As the site grows, Texas Creative plans to feature the work of more students and incorporate the portfolios of outgoing graduates for prospective employers, Thompson said.
Thompson said the response from alumni recruiters and potential employers has been encouraging.
"Recruiters have called in wondering if and when students are available," Thompson said.
- Jared Mason
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