McBee Institute Hosts International Masters Students

In February, the Louise McBee Institute hosted nine current students, alumni, and faculty members of the Master’s in Research and Innovation in Higher Education (MARIHE), a collaborative Erasmus Mundus program led by Professor and Department Head Attila Pausits from the University of Continuing Education, Danube University Krems.

Professor Emerita Karen Webber coordinated the week of activities for the international visitors. The study-away opportunity completed the final portion of coursework in the MARIHE institutional research and strategic planning specialization. Beyond required coursework, the program enabled visitors to learn more about US higher education and innovative initiatives at UGA.

"Our week was filled with insightful discussions and memorable visits," said participant Nino Gogadze, a student from the country of Georgia. She continued, "What truly made this trip unforgettable were the amazing people we met along the way. Their kindness and willingness to share their experiences made all the difference. I'm certain that the ideas exchanged will continue to shape my journey in higher education."

Alongside tours of campus attractions such as the Special Collections Libraries, the Tate Student Center, and Sanford Stadium, the group participated in meetings with UGA colleagues including Kelly Slaton and Julius Gantt from the Office of Institutional Research, Jan Davis Barham in Student Affairs, Maggie Parker at the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, David Tanner at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, and Kyle Tschepikow at the Innovation District.

The visitors joined a class led by Erik Ness on US higher education policy and state systems. In an exchange of information, they listened to MIHE student presentations on US state systems, and the visitors shared overviews on the education system in their home countries. State Systems students and the international visitors also spent a day in Atlanta with stops at the Georgia state capitol building and the University System of Georgia offices.

The itinerary included time to learn more about the history of MIHE’s public service mission from University Professor Libby Morris and specifics on the outreach programs housed at the McBee Institute from Alyssa Yuhouse, director of the Georgia College Advising Corps, and Naomi Norman, director of the Governor’s Teaching Fellows program.

"I feel really lucky to have taken part to this wonderful week of the MARIHE program at the University of Georgia," said Mattia Quinteri, a participant from Italy.

The unique MARIHE program enrolls students from 92 countries to take courses at several different universities around the world, including Finland, Japan, India, and Austria. Professor Webber and other MIHE faculty have taught courses in the program over the years, but this year is the first time that a MARIHE student cohort has visited Athens.

For some of the students this opportunity was their first visit to the United States, and for all it was the first visit to UGA. In addition to coursework and meetings, they enjoyed interacting with MIHE students and experiencing some of the local foods and flavors of Athens.

Ijaz Ahmad, McBee PhD candidate, assisted with the visit. Ahmad earned a master’s degree from the MARIHE program in 2018 prior to enrolling in the doctoral program.

The 2024 MARIHE participants were Nivedita Anand, Katrin Ehetreiber, Nino Gogadze, Junaid Kajee, Birgit Kraus, Mattia Quinteri, Hesam Camilo Sadeghian Rios, and Heisler Samir Sosa Colindres from Austria, Colombia, Georgia, Honduras, India, Italy, and South Africa. They were accompanied by Professor Attila Pausits, a long-time collaborator with McBee Institute faculty members.