Ingrid Kleespies and Pavlo Antonenko (Professor of Educational Technology and Director of the NeurAL Lab in the School of Teaching and Learning, College of Education) welcomed a team of Ukrainian educators, local politicians, and high school students who visited the UF College of Education and P. K. Yonge on October 30. The team has worked with the P. K. Yonge Robotics Club on a collaborative drone project measuring effects of the conflict on the natural environment, specifically bodies of water.
The event in Pugh Hall was a meet-and-greet for the Ukrainian team with Ukraine Rebuilding Initiative students, Gillian Lord, Michael Kung from the UFIC Office of Global Engagement, Alioune Sow, Lauren Poe, Director of the Greater Gainesville International Center, and Mayor Harvey Ward.
The visitors were: Volodymyra Havrysh (student), Veronika Rashko (student), Danyil Kostenko (student), Svitlana Alieksieienko (principal of the Nizhyn Lyceum), Nadiya Kresan (asst. principal and teacher of English and German as world languages), Pavlo Kindieiev (STEM teacher, robotics, coding).
Alioune Sow: On November 20, author Michael Roch visited UF. The visit included a talk to UF students and faculty on science fiction, aesthetics, Afrofuturism, co-futurism and the Caribbean and a seminar with students of Francophone Cultures. The visit was sponsored by the Villa Albertine, the cultural services of the French embassy and the France Florida Research Institute
Theresa Antes: Six students from French and Francophone Studies were inducted into the Mu Omega chapter of Pi Delta Phi, the national French honor society, on December 5, 2024. Pictured from left to right are Salome Almeida, Kristin Soulliere, Virginia Bisiaux, Hannah Gallagher, Victoria Osorio and Jessica Burdette.
Salah Algabli – Sorraya Bouguettaya: Three UF students—Sandy Abdelmassieh, Samih Samaan, and Haadi Gill, all Arabic minors—were selected to participate in the US National Arabic Debate, led by Professor Salah Algabli, held at the University of New York in October 2024. The competition featured over 44 university teams competing for a spot in the top four. The debate focused on current events, culture, and global issues, providing the students with an opportunity to enhance their Arabic language skills, particularly in speaking and critical thinking. (left)
At the Arabic Celebration Ceremony 2024 over 100 students participated in this lively celebration featuring traditional dishes, cultural exhibits, performances, and games from across the Arab world. (right)