Establishing a Global Center Network
Columbia recently opened four independently chartered regional centers in the Middle East (Amman), East Asia (Beijing), South Asia (Mumbai), and Europe (Paris). The centers, which are not intended to duplicate the Morningside Heights campus experience, represent and support all Columbia student and faculty—including those from the School of Social Work—in their research, training and service commitments with communities around the globe.
“The Global Centers network, though still in its infancy, is demonstrating its value to faculty and students engaged in extending and deepening Columbia’s presence around the world,” says Kenneth Prewitt, vice president for the centers. Dean Jeanette Takamura has noted that the Centers provide an important continuing presence for the School’s collaborations with organizations, universities, and professionals committed to social development and professional education that can lead to quality of life improvements for the people of their nation and region. University President Lee Bollinger’s vision for the Centers has resulted in multidimensional gains for both Columbia and for the regions which the Centers call home.
CUSSW has had great success working through the Global Center in the Middle East, with center director Dr. Safwan Masri and his staff opening doors and providing continuity for important relationships in the region.
In the instance of the Middle East Research Center, CUSSW has welcomed the opportunity presented to collaborate with other CU schools including the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation and the Mailman School of Public Health. For example, a School of Architecture project calls for building a community center in one of Amman’s poorest neighborhoods. Architecture students involved in the project invited CUSSW’s Dr. Rogerio Pinto to guest lecture in one of their courses before they left for Jordan. They were interested in his research specialty: engaging local populations in research initiatives.
The School’s students have also been eager to take advantage of the Centers. Doctoral candidate Yamile Marti worked with the Middle East Center to facilitate a summer internship with a local welfare organization. After interviews with Jordanian organizations, she chose to work with the King Hussein Cancer Center.
“I participated in staff meetings, support groups, case discussion and committee meetings and I gave two lectures to the social work staff,” she says. Ms. Marti also had the opportunity to meet the director of Jordan’s Family Protection Department.
As international programs for the Centers expand, CUSSW looks forward to more interdisciplinary collaborations and opportunities.