2012 Fulbright Seminar and Reception
The 2011-12 U.S. grantees to Norway gathered at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Oslo on Thursday, February 16, to present research and share experiences as part of the annual Fulbright seminar.
After welcoming remarks by Fulbright Executive Director Petter Næss and Fulbright Board Member Liv Mørch Finborud, the grantees - many having journeyed to Oslo from around the country and as far afield as Svalbard - gave short presentations and shared impressions and insights from their Fulbright experience in Norway so far. Organized by theme, the day's events progressed from presentations on biology, geology, and environmental studies in the morning to social sciences, education, art, and literature in the afternoon.
The seminar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was followed by an elegant reception hosted by Ambassador and Mrs. White at Villla Otium, the Ambassador's Residence in Oslo. Ambassador White provided words of welcome before Norway's Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre addressed the grantees with remarks about the important contribution of the Fulbright program and educational exchange in promoting international understanding. He also spoke about the Fulbright Arctic Chair award, funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and its role in furthering scientific collaboration and increasing knowledge of vital environmental issues in the High North.
Following Minister Støre's remarks Petter Næss introduced current Arctic Chair Mark Moline, Roving Scholar Sarah Anderson, and veterinarian and student grantee Andrea Miller, who shared some of their grantee experiences with the audience. The Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research, funder of the unique Roving Scholar program and a longtime staunch supporter of Fulbright, was represented at the reception by State Secretary Kyrre Lekve. The following morning the grantees with family members departed Oslo for Gausdal near Lillehammer for the annual Fulbright ski weekend.
Additional information about current Fulbright grantees and their research is available in the 2011-12 U.S. Grantees Brochure.
