OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS     

Faculty Report

Name - Kathryn LaMaster

Faculty/Rank – Associate Professor

Department – Exercise and Nutritional Sciences

College – Professional Studies and Fine Arts

Office phone – 4-3706

Other phone – 619-440-7620

E mail address – lamaster@mail.sdsu.edu

Proposal title - Developing an International Exchange with the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological Institute, Singapore

Country visited - Singapore

Institution visited – Nanyang Technological Institute/ National Institute of Education

Dates of travel – March 1-5, 2005

Number of student participants: 8-10 Communication Students per semester, no ENS students to date.

Previous IP proposals submitted and grants awarded (list titles, countries and dates):
Spindler, A., & LaMaster, K. (summer 1999). International Experiences for Exercise and Nutritional Sciences Majors. Ireland & Scotland

Have all required reports been submitted? yes

Other funding for this activity available/applied for: no

Proposal Abstract (75 word maximum):
The purpose of this application is to develop a student exchange agreement between the National Institute of Education - Nanyang Technological University (NIE-NTU) and the Department of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences at SDSU. I plan to experience the NIE academic environment so that I will be an ambassador for the program during the initial phases of recruiting students.

Travel report:

I. Opening/overview of intentions/activity

My initial intent for the travel grant was to develop a relationship with faculty at National Institute of Education (NIE) Physical Education and Sport Sciences department in order to advance exchange opportunities. However, as preparations for my trip developed I took on additional responsibilities associated with the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts exchanges. PSFA, School of Communication has a well established exchange with NTU School of Communication and Information (SCI) and I incorporated meetings with these individuals into my schedule. Further, I was to explore the comprehensive courses that were being added to the NTU curriculum in conversations with the International Programs Office.

II. In preparation for the trip abroad

Through email communications, Robert Carolin (SDSU, International Programs) introduced me to Agnes Yap (NTU International Program). Then Ms. Yap connected me with Dr. Bervyn Lee, Department Head Physical Education and Sport Sciences (NIE-PESS). Don Martin (SDSU, Associate Dean PSFA) introduced me to the Dean (Dr. Peng Hwa) and the Exchange Coordinator (Dr. Wayne Fu) of the NTU School of Communication and Information (NTU-SCI). So prior to departure I had exchanged numerous email communications to establish the similarities of the programs and a meeting agendas.

III. Upon arrival/specific activity

Thursday morning, March 4, I met with Dr. Bervyn Lee, Department Head for PESS. This meeting was very valuable as we were able to examine the new curriculum that NIE-PESS is implementing in July 2005. Dr. Lee was able to describe the semester offerings and PESS student requirements during their degree plan. PESS is extremely interested in having ENS exchange students and there seem to be several courses that students will be able to take each semester and these choices will increase with the addition of comprehensive courses. One detail of interest is that PESS does not offer all courses each semester so ENS students will need to coordinate their trip accordingly. Some discussion and concern was voiced over prerequisites and course levels associated with both institutions. For example at SDSU biomechanics is a 300 level course and it is a 200 level course at NIE. This may prove problematic for students as they transfer units back to campus. Exchanges for PESS students may prove problematic due to courses specific to teachers in Singapore that are components of their degree plan. However, Dr. Lee believes that some students will choose to participate in the exchange program even though it may place them behind their academic cohort. To provide greater opportunity to develop the exchange we discussed inclusion of graduate students in the area of Sport and Exercise Psychology. During the visit I was able to meet numerous faculty in the department, tour the facilities and meet with students. These contacts will be extremely valuable as we move forward in developing this exchange.
Thursday afternoon, March 4, I visited with Agnes Yap at International Programs. There were several topics discussed during our session. As NTU becomes a comprehensive university more course options for SDSU students will be available. While I was eager to know specific courses, Ms. Yap suggested SDSU review the NTU website in May to determine courses that might be beneficial for SDSU students. Ms. Yap is also going to assemble a package of more current materials and post them to me at SDSU. The overall numbers who have participated in the exchange were also discussed and currently 27 NTU students and 21 SDSU have participated. Ms Yap is very excited to see these numbers grow, especially from the SDSU side and was pleased to hear of the successful visit I had with PESS. Another conversation involved the recent NTU student who was not admitted to SDSU due to a 2.5 GPA. There was sincere concern that SDSU did not understand the rigors of NTU and that 2.5 GPA students at NTU-NIE are considered above average at their institute. This discussion led to the fact that NTU will be implementing a new GPA 5-point system in the near future. Overall this was a positive conversation with Ms Yap very pleased with the promotion of the exchange and our desire to add PESS students to the exchange.

Friday was my day to interact with faculty from the School of Communication and Information (SCI). This visit started with a meeting between myself, Dr. Alfred Choi (the SCI graduate advisor), Dr. Chua Ling-Yen (SCI internship coordinator) and Dr. Peng Hwa (Dean of SCI). This next term two graduate students will be participating in the exchange from SDSU at NTU and we had a discussion about expectations, housing and the students’ academic background. I encouraged Dr. Choi to forward any additional questions to me through email. SDSU is also sending an undergraduate to participate in an internship and we discussed the feasibility and arrangements for this student. Both of the SCI representatives were excited to see the exchange branch into these new directions. Dr. Hwa expressed his sincere appreciation of the exchange and the desire for continuation. After this initial meeting I had an opportunity to tour the facilities. The facilities are wonderful and provide students with multiple choices in the area of communication expertise development. I also had the opportunity to meet with one of the current SDSU exchange students and found out he is doing fine and traveling extensively! Friday evening I was invited to the 10th anniversary party for the SCI newspaper, The Nanyang Chronicle. During this function I was able to meet and discuss the exchange with Dr. Wayne Fu, SCI exchange coordinator. He is pleased with our students and the different perspectives they bring to the classroom conversations. Dr. Fu provided further insight to the exchange for communication students. He also expressed his concern over the student who was not admitted to SDSU based on grades.

IV. Conclusion, recommendation, and next step?

This exchange is an excellent opportunity for SDSU students to study abroad. Obviously the School of Communication has a strong exchange program developed and now PSFA has provided an additional contact to assure that the exchange continues. The Department of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences will need to pursue marketing of this program for students. During the visit I was able to take numerous photos depicting the facilities and this should help students get a sense of the learning environment. Due to the personal interactions and relationships that have been developed and are beginning to develop this program has strong potential for sustainability. My only concern is that the discussion be revisited concerning admission requirements for NTU/NIE students into SDSU as this could become a barrier if students they believe to be strong candidates are not admitted to SDSU.
My role in ENS will be to inform the administration and faculty concerning the opportunities for our students. Additionally I will more aggressively promote the program through informational meetings (similar to those currently established for communication students).
The next step for ENS will be to obtain the revised course documents from NIE and confirm the pre-established equivalencies. Further we will need to post the NIE information to our website to promote the program. This is a great opportunity for ENS students to study abroad in an English speaking country.