Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, and U.S. Representative Vic Snyder announced today that the University of Central Arkansas has been awarded a $62,000 grant through the U.S. Department of Education’s Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad Program.

The Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program supports overseas projects in modern foreign languages and area studies for groups of teachers, students, and faculty. Projects may include short-term seminars, curriculum development, or group research or study. The University of Central Arkansas will use the grant to fund a short-term seminar enabling teachers to travel to Petrozavodsk and Murmansk– two northern Russian cities that are rarely visited by American educators. The seminar is designed to enhance the educators’ understanding of Russia as they observe, study and live in the two cities and travel to adjacent locations.

"In order to be successful in today’s global community, we must have an understanding of the world around us," said Lincoln. "With the help of these federal dollars, educators from the University of Central Arkansas will have an opportunity to experience and learn from another culture and will be able to pass the knowledge they gain on to their students in Arkansas."

"This funding provides an exciting opportunity for University of Central Arkansas teachers. Their first-hand knowledge of the business, cultural and political environment in Russia will enhance their students' understanding of world affairs," said Pryor.

"The U.S. and Russia have a linked past, but the future of the relationship will best be shaped by the understanding that comes from these kinds of exchanges," said Congressman Vic Snyder. "These programs are vital, and I’m pleased UCA received this grant."

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