PROGRAM OVERVIEW: The Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence (SIR) Program is a unique Fulbright Scholar Program initiative that is specifically driven by the goals of U.S. institutions of higher education to enhance internationalization and cross-cultural understanding efforts on their campuses. Through the SIR Program, institutions host a scholar from outside of the United States for a semester or full academic year to teach courses, assist in curriculum development, and guest lecture in their area of expertise and understanding, develop study abroad/exchange partnerships and engage with the campus and within the local community to foster cross-cultural and global understanding. SIRs work across departments and curricula in a variety of ways to significantly enhance or expand an existing international program, develop new world area studies programs, add an international dimension to existing coursework or provide an opportunity for U.S. students to learn about a particular world region or country.
Although the Fulbright SIR Program is a small component of the Fulbright family of programs, it is most beneficial to the hosting U.S. colleges and universities and their students, faculty and communities. The institution benefits from the expertise provided, and the Scholar attains experience in the U.S. higher education arena. The community, through the institution, provides the Visiting Scholar with opportunities to participate in speaking engagements, community meetings, K-12 interaction, and other grassroots activities. Through this, the institution can diversify and internationalize the experiences of – and build goodwill among – the community. The SIR Program promotes cultural and intellectual diversity among the institution and the wider community.
For the academic year 2022-2023, Fulbright Vietnam seeks qualified candidates to place at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi for one academic year. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, creative activities, and services. Their supportive, multicultural learning community provides undergraduate and graduate students with a challenging educational experience through residential, distance learning and international programs. Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi’s student population is majority (48%) Hispanic, with the next highest populations 37% White, 5% Black, and 4% Asian. The staff is majority (51%) white, with the next highest populations 37% Hispanic, 5% Asian, and 4% Black. The university’s federal designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) provides a foundation for closing educational gaps. Please visit https://tamucc.edu/ for further information about Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
SIR will teach one course in Asian history in the Fall term and one course in Asian history in the Spring term. The SIR will engage with the International Student Organization and the Islander Cultural Alliance as well as address the campus during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month. The SIR will also participate in community events at the Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures & Education Center, located in town, and will have opportunities to address other area colleges.
The International Student Organization and the Islander Cultural Alliance both participate in two major events each academic year, International Education Week in November, and the Parade of Nations in the Spring semester. In addition, the University has added Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month to its list of recognized observation months (alongside Women’s History Month, Black History month, and Hispanic Heritage Month). These events are ideal opportunities for the SIR to engage with the campus and share their culture beyond the classroom.
Besides, campus activities, the SIR will have opportunities to present their research in public talks for the local community, hosted by the university’s humanities speaker series as well as community venues. Corpus Christi is also home to the Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures & Educational Center. The museum enjoys close connections to the university. Currently, the Museum is working with the university’s Library Special Collections division to develop future collaborations. Its Board of Trustees President is an alumnus of the history program, and they have expressed interest in working with a SIR to enhance their event programming.
WHO CAN APPLY? Competition is open to people who meet the following criteria:
- Be a Vietnamese citizen (no dual citizenship)
- Have a Ph.D. in Asian History
- Have at least one academic year of teaching experience, not including work as a teaching assistant
- English language proficiency – must be able to lecture fluently in English
WHAT COURSES TO TEACH & ACTIVITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN?
The SIR will be based in the history section of the Department of Humanities. For the Fall Semester, the SIR will teach one survey in Modern Asian History, 1600 to present. For the Spring Semester, the SIR will teach one upper-level course of their choosing on any topic involving Modern Asian history. This course will be designated HIST 4390 Topics in History.
Beyond teaching these two courses, the SIR will advise the history section on the development of their global history curriculum component and future search for a new historian of Modern Asian Studies. The history section is currently rethinking its curriculum and course requirements in ways that will support more non-Western course offerings.
WHAT DOES THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDE?
- Monthly stipend
- One-time allowances for materials, settling-in expenses and professional development
- Monthly dependent allowance if qualifying and applicable
- A round-trip international airfare for the S-I-R and one qualifying dependent
- Accident and sickness health benefits for the S-I-R
- J-Visa sponsorship for the Scholar and accompanying spouse and qualifying dependents
HOW TO APPLY?
Complete the online application form at https://apply.iie.org/sir All components of the online application must be submitted by the deadline, including:
- Application form
- Curriculum vitae or resume
- Three letters of Reference, including one from scholar’s home institution stating that the scholar will receive leave of absence if selected for the Fulbright grant
Deadline for application submission: 5:00 PM (Vietnam time), March 20, 2022.
For further details, please read the Information for Scholar-in-Residence Award, and visit our website at https://vn.usembassy.gov/education-culture/fulbright-program-vietnam/the-fulbright-scholar-in-residence-sir-program-ay2022-2023/or contact the Fulbright Office by email VNfulbright@state.gov or by phone at (024) 3850-5000 x 6114.
