MDI Offers Development Project Training, American Studies

Date: 06/13/06
Contact: Eric Jome

Government and private sector officials from developing nations are learning to effectively manage development projects, while students from Taiwan are learning about American culture this month at Illinois State University. The development project training and American studies classes are being conducted during July by the Management Development International (MDI) program.

MDI, a part of Illinois State's Office of International Studies and Programs (OISP), offers a wide array of customized management training courses throughout the year for public, private, and non-profit clients from around the world. MDI also offers programs on American culture for university students from other nations. MDI began offering training courses in 2001 and the program has expanded greatly in the years since then. Fifty participants are enrolled in this month's development project training and American studies classes, the largest number of enrollees to date.

Thirty-five officials from government ministries, non-governmental agencies and other private sector groups from developing nations are participating in a month-long training program with classes focusing on the effective implementation, management and evaluation of large-scale development projects, human resources management and the financial management of development projects. Examples of such development projects are the building of roads, ports and other vital infrastructure, HIV/AIDS prevention programs and efforts to improve public health through better nutrition or vaccinations.

The courses, taught in both English and French, consist of lectures, workshops and site visits to businesses and government organizations in Bloomington-Normal. Participants put their course work skills into practice through individual class projects based on the needs of their home countries and outline plans to address those needs. Individuals present their project plans for feedback and evaluation from MDI instructors and fellow participants.

Participants in the development program management classes come from Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya, The Gambia, Angola, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Cameroon, Guinea Republic, Ivory Coast, Republic of Congo, Philippines, Oman, Montserratt and Haiti. Their participation in the training is paid for by their home governments, sponsoring organizations and various international development agencies including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank.

A group of 15 undergraduate students from I-Shou University in Taiwan is also on campus during July to get an in-depth look at American culture and improve their conversational English. The Taiwanese students take language classes at Illinois State's English Language Institute (ELI) and attend lectures and interactive classes that explore American culture, government, politics and democracy. Students also participate in visits to cultural and historic sites and interact socially with American families.

"Through the development project training courses and the American studies program, MDI and Illinois State provide a valuable service to people from across the globe," said Momar Ndiaye, director of Illinois State's Office of International Studies and Programs. "Government and private sector officials are gaining the knowledge they need to successfully plan and implement vital development projects in their home countries. The Taiwanese students are enhancing their English skills and will go home with a better understanding of American culture."

For more information about the programs offered by MDI visit www.internationalstudies.ilstu.edu/mdi