UHCL hosts foreign scholars
by Michelle Drab
UHCLIDIAN Staff

University of Houston-Clear Lake brought in two international scholars from Far Eastern State University, Vladivostok, Russia, and Shandong University People's Republic of China, and is sending five students abroad to study in Taiwan.

Dr. Xilin Fu, professor of mathematics at one of China's major institutions, arrived on campus Feb. 1. He is studying ordinary differential equations alongside Dr. Mike Mezzino, professor of math, and Dr. Lie June Shiau, associate professor and chair of the math program.

Fu came to UH-Clear Lake, "specifically to study with Dr. Mezzino and Dr. Shiau due to their international reputation in differential equations," said Jerry Rhodeback, executive director for international initiatives. "Dr. Fu considers his visit a great honor."

Fu will be on campus for the next five months.

Fu is from Shandong University, which has 70 members in its math department, a huge math team compared to approximately 15-20 on this campus.

Dr. Andrey Fisenko, professor of economics, visited UH-Clear Lake Feb. 3-28.

"Dr. Fisenko is a noted economist in Russia, who worked with Dr. Bill Powers and Dr. Bob Hodgin, and conducted library research in the areas of U.S. budgeting and economic history," Rhodeback said. Powers is the Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice Director and Hodgin is the Executive Director of Research Administration.

"Dr. Fisenko was overwhelmed with UHCL and Texas hospitality," Rhodeback said. Fisenko left UH-Clear Lake at the end of February.

Solidifying itself as an international university, UH-Clear Lake has the highest international enrollment it has ever had this semester ­ 442 students from more than 50 countries, according to Rhodeback. In an effort to continue this trend, the university is also sending students to othere countries to study.

Five students from the university will study abroad at National Sun Yat Sen University in Kaohshun, Taiwan. They will travel with Dr. Lou White, professor of management and director of Taiwan initiatives.

No scholarships are provided for international study abroad; however, funds from outside donors help pay for students' airfare and travel while abroad. As well, participation in the program is competitive. A selection committee of faculty and students awards spots based on the quality of student essays and their grade point averages.

"Students get a real-life experience from international exchange, and it creates great opportunities for the future," White said.