OXFORD, Miss. – Determined to become a more effective advocate for public education in her home country of Georgia, Nino Jakhaia traveled more than 6,000 miles to study this academic year at the University of Mississippi.
Recipient of an international Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship, Jakhaia is enrolled in three upper-level courses in UM’s School of Education and is doing quite well, her professors report. Despite her country’s principal language, Georgian, being a South Caucasian language dating back to A.D. 440, she is adept in English. She studied it extensively in Georgia and had been teaching English as a second language before coming to this country.
James Payne, UM professor of education, says he’s delighted to have Jakhaia enrolled in his class Trends and Issues in Teaching (EDCI 658), in which the students learn how to publish in professional journals and make professional presentations at conferences and workshops. Jakhaia “is without question outstanding in oral and written communication,” he said.
“She recently gave a class presentation, and all the students agreed it was outstanding. She is not only proficient in the English language, but she also has a special presence that she projects from the lectern. She is obviously intelligent and talented, but what stands out is her presence.”
Concerning the education system in Georgia, Jakhaia says that links between the school system and higher education are not strong enough.
“Graduation from schools gives limited possibility to enter the higher education sector directly,” she said. “Private lessons are almost unavoidable to get admitted to the universities. Also, there is a need for strong education professionals who will be able to introduce modern teaching methodologies, encouraging student participation and developing critical thinking.”
So far, Jakhaia is pleased with her UM experience, which also includes classes taught by Amy Wells and Douglas R. Davis.
“They are truly remarkable, and I am happy to be their student,” she said. “I hope that my experience gained at the University of Mississippi will be a rewarding one and that it will allow me to become the educational professional who can contribute to the development of the education system back in my country.”
The Muskie Fellowship covers tuition and also includes a book allowance, monthly stipend and health insurance. Jakhaia is on track to complete the program at UM in August 2010, and she will have the option of staying three additional months for Optional Practical Training.
Established by the U.S. Congress in 1992 to encourage economic and democratic growth in Eurasia, the Muskie program is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State and administered by IREX. The program provides opportunities for graduate students and professionals from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
IREX administrators match Muskie Fellowship applicants with American higher education institutions that have applied to participate from Harvard on down, said Michael Dyer of IREX.
“We look for a broad representation in all 50 states, while considering the best match between an applicant’s goals with a university’s application,” Dyer said.