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I n t e r n at i o n a l
Witte receives close-up view of ‘new Egypt’
While stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979, Dr. Jim
Witte saw just how quickly grumblings of discontent can grow into
a revolution capable of toppling a government.
He never expected to have a front row seat for another seismic
event in the Middle East’s political history. An evolving partnership
between Auburn University and Suez Canal University in Suez City,
Egypt, has afforded Witte the opportunity to witness first-hand the
country’s transformation in the wake of President Hosni Mubarak’s
February resignation.
Witte accepted an invitation to spend a portion
of the spring teaching courses at Suez Canal
University. Originally scheduled to depart for
Egypt in February, Witte had to delay his trip
after the anti-Mubarak protests that began in
January escalated. Witte said conversations with
his Egyptian colleagues indicate that the chaos
in the wake of those early protests has given way to optimism about
the country’s future.
“It’s almost as though they are observing a new Egypt, and
they’re doing so with pride,” said Witte, associate professor and
Lowe’s comfort in front of a roomful of students was shaped
by a lifetime on stage, which included school plays, choir and
a stint on the professional ballroom dancing circuit. He said he
always felt compelled to teach, but his coursework in ESOL has
helped him learn how to bridge linguistic and cultural gaps.
“Dr. Leier’s class has opened my eyes to what it really means
to teach a second language,” Lowe said. “Living in a culture
where I don’t speak the language gives me an upper hand in
teaching a second language to my students. I understand the
struggles they have. I relate.”
Leier, who regularly interacts with Lowe via distance education
technology, said Auburn’s No. 1 fan in South Korea has
proven to be an enterprising teacher.
“He’s incredible,” Leier said. “He’s very talented and creative.”
So are his students, it seems.
In the video, Bercarich allows several of Lowe’s students to
provide on-camera predictions for the BCS title game.
A boy nicknamed “Aubie” goes for a large margin: “Ducks 3,
Tigers 117.” A girl nicknamed “Campbell” briefly puzzles everyone
in the room: “Auburn wins 0-0.”
“Oregon sees Auburn before the game and forfeits,” she adds.
It seems that Lowe’s efforts to teach English have produced
an unexpected byproduct.
coordinator of the Adult and Higher Education program. “I think
the expectation of change overnight may be something they are going
to have to guard against. Now that Mubarak has been removed,
there is great expectation of wonderful change, but change moves
slowly in any government, new or old.”
While Witte has tracked developments in Egypt with the help of
television and social media, he will be able to rely on such technology
to remain connected to Auburn students. In addition to teaching
adult education material via distance education, Witte will provide
updates on his trip on a blog.
“I’m in Egypt teaching my class in Auburn, just to demonstrate
the flexibility of the technology involved,’’ Witte said. “The change
in technology is fascinating, and it’s really fun to watch it grow.”
Witte and his colleagues have seen plenty of growth potential in
a partnership with Suez Canal University. Faculty from Suez Canal
University visited Auburn in February 2010 to build relationships
with the College of Education and other campus units. The establishment
of research partnerships and student internships were key
discussion points.
Witte’s current
opportunity resulted
from a summer
2010 visit to Ismalia,
Egypt, as a member
of a College of
Education visiting
scholar’s doctoral
dissertation defense
Dr. Jim Witte speaks some Arabic and
knows Egypt’s terrain well, including Giza.
panel. Witte and Dr.
José Llanes continued discussions with Suez Canal University officials
on the possibility of student and faculty exchanges. Witte said
the student exchanges would provide valuable opportunities for
aspiring classroom teachers, school administrators or policymakers.
Of course, those avenues will be far easier to explore once
the “new Egypt” Witte described takes on a more clearly defined
identity. Witte said he wishes he had been able to leave for Suez City
sooner rather than later.
“I feel disappointed that I was not able to be on the ground when
this thing unfolded,” he said. “I think the ability to observe this kind
of social change is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Follow Witte’s travel adventures via
his blog whereintheworldisjimwitte.
blogspot.com
Lowe’s students are fluent in the language of football.
A K e y s t o n e i n B u i l d i n g a B e t t e r F u t u r e f o r A l l 11