JSU Physics Professor Currently Serving as Fulbright Scholar in Algeria Sends Progress Report Home

Dr. Nouredine Zettili, Professor of Physics in the Department of Physical and Earth Sciences, Jacksonville State University, is currently serving as a Fulbright Scholar in Algeria.  An Algerian native, Dr. Zettili was particularly excited about this opportunity.

In Dr. Zettili's own words (see previous article "Dr. Zettili to Serve as Fulbright Scholar in Algeria)," he expresses his perception of the impact of this award.

The Fulbright award will undoubtedly give me an opportunity to introduce my Algerian colleagues to the US educational system and its successful paradigms.  We take these for granted here in the US, but these paradigms can make a difference in Algeria.

An exchange of scholars between the US and Algeria will contribute immensely to a better understanding between American institutions of higher learning and cultural programs with Algeria in the hope of helping to enrich and broaden Algeria’s educational system.”

The following is a letter from Dr. Zettili relating his experiences thus far on his yearlong Fulbright assignment:

I have arrived on September 13, 2007 to UAE (United Arab Emirates) in the Middle East on my yearlong Fulbright assignment. Since my arrival I have been extremely busy settling down, taking care of my teaching duties, doing research, and adjusting to everything here in UAE, including the weather. A friend of mine who has been here for some time told me this: "There are only two seasons here: Summer and Hell. Summer extends from November to April, and Hell from May to October. As you can see, we are in Summer here! So, since my arrival, I have had my share of Hell for two months, and have now been upgraded to, and am enjoying, Summer here!

The item which might be newsworthy is the following:

Shortly after my arrival, I was contacted by the UAE Ministry of Education in September 07 and was asked if I could give them a workshop! Apparently, they were tipped off by the UAE University about my experience with outreach activities back in the US, notably IMPACTSEED.

See previous articles on Zettili's IMPACTSEED project:

• Seminar Seeks to Enliven the Instruction of Science
• IMPACTSEED  2007 Summer Professional Institute, Jacksonville State University, June 4 - 15, 2007
• Impacting Local Science Teachers

Believe it or not, I did consent and have given them a one-day workshop on October 22. It was attended by 25 physics male and female supervisors (these are like superintendents that deal with physics only) that were selected from all over the country. It was well received by the Ministry to the point they are asking me for more workshops!

You may want to take a look at a news bulletin which was posted on the website of our Embassy in the UAE: uae.usembassy.gov/

I have attached a few pictures about the activity. One depicts me showing an electric motor at work; another reveals Algerian cultural stereotypes through the depiction of female supervisors shown in their traditional black dress and some male supervisors in their traditional white robes and headpieces.

I have also been invited to present a similar workshop in Saudi Arabia in February 2008. As you can see, IMPACTSEED is getting international! This is the gist of my Fulbright experience so far in this part of the world.

---

Submit items for news releases by using the request form at www.jsu.edu/newswire/request.