Day: March 10, 2016

Non-Profit Management Internships in China

Posted on by chakris@uoregon.edu

GEO has partnered with Global Studies Institute (GSI) to create a new series of international internships, called GlobalWorks.

Among the more than a dozen distinct opportunities, students interested in global health and development issues can apply for an internship in non-profit management.

The GlobalWorks Non-Profit Management Program provides students with the opportunity to work in China where over 400,000 NGOs are currently active. A wide range of issues are addressed, including student drop-out rates, labor rights, women’s rights and environmental protection. Internship placements could be in: Shanghai, Beijing, & Shenzhen.

Each internship offers the chance to:

  • Create a monthly English language newsletter and weekly blog entries that highlight new program initiatives, fundraising activities, etc.
  • Organize and developing activities and presentations for events, summits and other gatherings.
  • Attend meetings with lobbying organizations.

Qualifications:

  • Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work on a team.
  • Interest in China- politics, history, culture etc.
  • Strong management and organizational skills.

UO Advisory on Zika virus, travel warnings

Posted on by chakris@uoregon.edu

Dear UO Faculty, Students, and Staff,

A global watch is underway as the Zika virus has begun spreading throughout Central and South America and the Caribbean.

According to news reports, there have been 31 documented Zika cases in the U.S. (11 states and the District of Columbia), though in all of those cases people got infected elsewhere.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently issued travel guidance regarding this mosquito-borne virus, which is associated with microcephaly (small head and brain in newborns) and possibly other poor pregnancy outcomes in women infected during pregnancy.

About one in five people infected with Zika virus will develop symptoms, which include fever, rash, joint pain, and pink eye, and some have muscle aches, headache, and pain behind the eyes. The illness is usually mild, with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. The top concern is for pregnant women who get infected.

Efforts are underway to produce a vaccine, but there is currently no vaccine and no treatment for this virus; the only way to prevent infection is to avoid being bitten by infected mosquitos.

Because there is neither a vaccine nor prophylactic medications available to prevent Zika virus infection, CDC recommends that all pregnant women consider postponing travel to areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. Pregnant women or women who are considering becoming pregnant who must travel to one of these areas should consult with their health care provider before traveling and follow steps to prevent mosquito bites:

  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
  • Use EPA-registered insect repellents as directed.
  • Insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, and IR3535 are safe for pregnant and nursing women and children older than 2 months when used according to label.
  • Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (boots, pants, socks, tents).
  • Stay and sleep in screened-in or air-conditioned rooms.

If you are pregnant and have traveled to a country reporting Zika, the CDC is recommending that you see your physician for counseling and testing. The CDC just released interim guidelines for pregnant women and their health care providers. Information and guidelines change frequently, so continue to check this CDC site if you are in an at-risk group. For general updated information on Zika, go to http://www.cdc.gov/zika/.

The University of Oregon will continue to monitor this global situation. Please let us know if you have additional questions or concerns.

Dr. Richard Brunader

Medical Director UO Health Center

Dennis Galvan

Vice Provost for International Affairs

 

New study abroad program addresses global health issues in Ghana

Posted on by chakris@uoregon.edu

UO’s Global Education Oregon (GEO) is partnering with professor Janis Weeks once again to lead their Global Health, Development, and Service Learning program in Accra, Ghana.

The program teaches students about contemporary issues of global health and development in Ghana. Students enroll in a service learning or internship experience of their choice three days a week, with one of more than 30 community-based institutions in fields related to health, environment, education, youth, gender and various other areas.Weeks is excited about the new program in Ghana because she sees it as a sign of increasing interest in global health at the UO. She currently teaches two courses on natural science in global health, and sees the new program in Ghana as a good opportunity for more science majors to study abroad.

Weeks is a neuroscientist, professor of biology at the UO and member of the African Studies Program. She has been involved in building research and education capacity in Africa for nearly 20 years. Her research, which focuses on technologies for discovering new drugs against devastating worm infections in humans, is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Students interested in the program can apply online.

Editor’s Note: This story is an updated version from a story written by Katherine Cook that ran in Around the O on April 7, 2014.