Washington, D.C. (September 13, 2024)—The Edmund S. Muskie Professional Fellowship Program is pleased to introduce the new projects funded for its program alum! As part of ongoing efforts to stay connected with program alums, the Muskie Program will support up to five projects with grants of up to $2,000 to carry out community development initiatives between mid-September and the end of November 2024.

The Small Grants Program builds on the Muskie Program’s primary aim by assisting alumni in using their U.S. work experience to bring about positive change in their communities and professionalfields. The funded projects also seek to showcase the impact of the Muskie Program on participants’ self-efficacy and to foster more excellent communication between alums of U.S. government programs.

“As we enter the third round of the Muskie Program Alumni Small Grants Program, we continue to be astounded by the incredible, innovative solutions that our grantees have identified to address local community issues,” says Paul Champaloux, Cultural Vistas’ Director of Short-Term Exchange Programs. “Many of the currently proposed projects work in education, technology, and leadership and involve training participants in new approaches and trends, including AI. These learnings will no doubt continue to be felt long after the projects are completed. Cultural Vistas is excited to support these alumni projects, and we will continue to support the Muskie alumni community in as many ways possible going forward.”

The following projects will be completed as part of the third iteration of the Muskie Alumni Small Grants Program:

Bridging the Gap: Advancing Scientific Careers and Research Excellence in Kazakhstan

Aniyar Izguttinov, 2019 Muskie Fellow, Kazakhstan

This project is aimed at enhancing awareness about PhD programs, scientific research, and academic careers among Kazakhstani youth, as well as supporting current researchers in advancing their skills and expanding their professional networks. With a goal to bridge the gap between Kazakhstani youth, early-career researchers, and the global scientific community, this project will foster a culture of innovation and critical thinking that will contribute to the country’s progress. In collaboration with the Kazakhstani Association of PhDs in North America (KAPNA), this project will organize two virtual conferences and create written guides to be accessible to the broader audience.

IT Community Roadshow 2024/25

Igor Pak, 2015 Muskie Fellow, Uzbekistan

This project aims to provide IT career opportunities across 13 cities in Uzbekistan, including the Republic of Karakalpakstan. Through lectures, workshops, and Q&A sessions, international IT experts will guide participants on topics such as freelancing, LinkedIn career development, and AI tools for professional growth. A special focus will be placed on supporting women in IT, inspiring and helping them take their first steps toward a successful career.

Empowering Tajik Youth with Artificial Intelligence Education

Lutfullo Tagoev, 2020 Muskie Fellow, Tajikistan

This project aims to equip 500 Tajik youth aged 16-35 with essential AI knowledge through a self-paced online course. The top 20 graduates will participate in an in-depth, hands-on workshop to further develop their AI skills, cultivating a new generation of tech-savvy professionals in Tajikistan.  

AI Usage in the Classroom and for Subject Specialists

Aizhan Smagulova, 2020 Muskie Fellow, Kazakhstan

This project aims to empower teachers from several rural schools around Astana with the skills to integrate AI into their teaching practices. Through a series of workshops led by experts from Quantum Tech School, teachers will learn to utilize AI tools effectively in both general classroom settings and subject-specific contexts. This initiative will not only enhance the teaching capabilities of rural educators but also bridge the digital divide by bringing advanced technology training to underserved areas.

School Leadership Course

Firdavs Navruzov, 2015 Muskie Fellow, Uzbekistan

This course is designed to equip school administrators with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively lead and manage educational institutions. Over ten days, participants will engage in both theoretical and practical sessions covering key areas such as strategic planning, financial management, academic excellence, teacher professional development, student support, career guidance, marketing, community engagement, leadership skills development, and technology integration. The course combines face-to-face and video delivery modes, ensuring a flexible learning experience. Evaluations will be conducted at the end of the course, culminating in a portfolio that enables participants to apply their learning in a real-world context.

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About Edmund S. Muskie Professional Fellowship Program

In its 10th year of programming, the Edmund S. Muskie Professional Fellowship Program, funded by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by Cultural Vistas, gives Fulbright Program emerging leaders from Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia the opportunity to gain real-world experience that complements and enriches their graduate studies in the U.S.

Since 1992, the U.S. Department of State has provided thousands of graduate school fellowships for students from across Eurasia to build democracies, strengthen the transition to market economies, and establish strong civil societies. Cultural Vistas has built upon that foundation by providing hands-on, professional skill-building opportunities across the United States for more than 400 graduate students over the last ten years.