Six faculty members from the Mohammed Almana College for Health Sciences in Saudi Arabia will visit the UO in August as part of a two-week academic exchange.

The visit is part of a new partnership between the UO and the Saudi college, whose chief executive is Aisha Almana, a UO alumna and donor. The UO’s Global Studies Institute and the American English Institute in the College of Arts and Sciences announced the five-year partnership in February.

During the first week of the visit the Saudi scholars will participate in the UO Science Literacy Institute's Mobile Summer Institute for Undergraduate Education. The program provides professional development to faculty to help enhance student learning in classes focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, known by the acronym STEM.

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute and National Science Foundation fund the summer institute. One of six summer institutes funded nationally this year by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and National Science Foundation, the UO program provides professional development and strategic planning for faculty in STEM subjects to help increase student success and retention in the sciences.

Last year, 53 UO administrators, faculty, postdoctoral students and graduate students participated in the institute and a strategic planning workshop. The opportunity for the Saudi educators to join as the first international participants is an important step.

During their second week, the visiting Saudi delegation will be in the Portland area to learn about health science programming and education at Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland State University, University of Portland, Portland Community College, Providence Portland Medical Center and other sites.