The University of Nebraska’s Global Virtual Project
The University of Nebraska’s Global Virtual Project supported by the Aspen Institute’s Stevens Initiative, is a program that gives young people in the United States, Middle East, and North African regions the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to prosper in an interconnected world. The Initiative is supported by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and Bezos Family Foundation. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Global Virtual Project (UNLGVP) was one of 13 projects funded as part of the second cohort of awardees. The ULNGVP was conceived to build on global competence and career readiness by engaging more than 220 students in Nebraska, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. Students will have the opportunity to take courses in communication studies, computer science, creative writing, ethnic studies, hospitality, restaurant, and tourism management, journalism, and modern languages and literatures. They will meet face-to-face in their respective classrooms and will connect virtually via Zoom (web conferencing platform) and social media to participate in project and/or problem-based learning. Partner institutions include the University of Nizwa, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman Tourism College, the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, and Zayed University.
Spring 2018 Courses
Course title: ARAB 306 - Women in the Qu’ran
Faculty: Dr. Abla Hasan, Assistant Professor of Practice of Arabic Language & Culture
International Partner: University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman
Delivery Semester: Spring 2018
Contact: Dr. Abla Hasan; Email: abla.hasan@unl.edu
Fall 2018 Courses
Course title: SOCI 398 - Immigration & Multiculturalism: Global/Local Dialogues on Refugees & Western Nations
Faculty: Dr. Lory Dance, Associate Professor of Sociology and Ethnic Studies
International Partner: University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
Delivery Semester: Fall 2018
Contact: Dr. Lory Dance; Email: ldance2@unl.edu
Course title: JOMC 380 - Global News & Information
Faculty: Dr. Gary Kebbel, Professor, Communications, College of Journalism & Mass Communications
International Partner: University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman
Delivery Semester: Fall 2018
Contact: Dr. Gary Kebbel; Email: garykebbel@unl.edu
Course title: HRTM 285 - Sustainable Destination Development: Oman & UAE
Faculty: Dr. Dipra Jha, Assistant Professor of Practice, Hospitality
International Partner: Oman Tourism College, Muscat, Oman & Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, Dubai, UAE
Delivery Semester: Fall 2018
Contact: Dr. Dipra Jha; Email: djha2@unl.edu
Course title: CSCE 310 - Data Structures & Algorithms
Faculty: Dr. Charles Riedesel, Assistant Professor of Practice, and Chief Undergraduate Advisor, Computer Science & Engineering
International Partner: Princess Sumaya University for Technology, Amman, Jordan
Delivery Semester: Fall 2018
Contact: Dr. Charles Riedesel and Dr. Ryan Patrick; Email: chuckr@unl.edu
Course title: COMM 211 - Intercultural Communication — The Global Classroom
Faculty: Dr. Charles Braithewaite, Research Assistant Professor, Center for Great Plains Studies, Senior Lecturer of Communication Studies
International Partner: University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman
Delivery Semester: Fall 2018
Contact: Dr. Charles Braithewaite; Email: cbraithwaite2@unl.edu
For questions regarding the Stevens Initiative, please contact: globalaffairs@unl.edu.
Stevens Initiative Announces 13 New Grants to Fund International Virtual Exchange

Washington, DC, November 6, 2017– The Stevens Initiative today announced 13 new grants funded through an international competition to use online, collaborative learning to increase cross-cultural understanding and equip young people with the skills needed to thrive in a 21st century economy.
New “Global Virtual Classrooms” Grant Open to UNL Faculty

Lincoln, NE, November 7, 2018– The Office of Global Partnerships & Initiatives (OGS) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has announced a new “Global Virtual Classrooms” grant for 2018-2020. This internal award builds on the 2018 UNL Global Virtual Project and expands the number of courses and geographic region of virtual exchange at UNL.
For questions regarding the Global Virtual Project, please contact: globalaffairs@unl.edu.