The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and World Learning awarded Dr. Kartik Ghosh a place on the Fulbright Specialist roster.
Ghosh is a distinguished physics, astronomy and material science professor at Missouri State University and served his term as a Fulbright Specialist from Feb 27- March 10.
“I had an opportunity to address some critical issues on energy and environment to the world community in this program,” Ghosh said.
The program
Fulbright offers international educational and cultural exchange programs. The program provides grants to study, teach and conduct research. U.S. citizens go abroad and non-U.S. citizens come to the United States.
“It’s a great international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government,” Ghosh said. “It’s designed to build a good connection between the people of the U.S. and the people of other countries.”
Ghosh was selected to be a part of the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) Specialist Program and was placed at Guru Nanak Deb University (GNDU) in Amritsar, India.
Ghosh served the university’s physics department in many ways, including:
- Taught mini workshops and short courses on topics related to energy and the environment.
- Guided and advised participants on group projects, project writing and project presentations in the workshops/short courses.
- Consulted with the faculty to develop curriculum in areas related to energy and the environment.
- Presented colloquia on specific research areas or general topics of interest to the university communities.
Ghosh also helped in creating bonds between educational institutions.
“This program established a strong collaborative research program between MSU and GNDU,” he said. “It also helped in recruiting students from GNDU as well as other places in India.”
Giving more meaning to teaching
Through his duties, Ghosh did more than share his expertise.
“The main goal of this program is to address global critical issues in all disciplines, while building relationships, knowledge and leadership in support of the long-term interests of the United States,” Ghosh said. “I believe through this program, the U.S. will play a critical role in solving many global issues in all areas.”
Being selected to work in this program proves to be a big honor.
“The people who have participated in this program include 60 who have been awarded the Nobel Prize, 88 who have received Pulitzer Prizes and 39 who have served as a head of state or government,” Ghosh said. “I feel good that I was selected to serve as a Fulbright specialist.”