K-State geography professor awarded Fulbright-Hays grant

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Source: Bimal Paul, 785-532-3409, bkp@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Sara Shellenberger, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu

Thursday, May 3, 2007

K-STATE GEOGRAPHY PROFESSOR AWARDED FULBRIGHT-HAYS GRANT

MANHATTAN -- One professor from Kansas State University will use a notable geography grant to head straight for disaster.

Bimal Paul, K-State professor of geography, along with two professors from other schools, has been awarded a $64,000 Fulbright-Hays grant for the project, "Natural Hazards and Related Health Issues in Bangladesh: Standards and Issues Based Geography Curricular Project for Grades K-16." Additional project leaders include Kay Weller, University of Northern Iowa, and Rex Honey, University of Iowa.

As part of the project, 15 teachers from schools and universities across the United States will visit the People's Republic of Bangladesh in July to study flood-, cyclone-, tornado- and drought-affected areas. The team will then develop U.S. geography standards and issues-based curricular materials focusing on how people living in Bangladesh cope with their many natural hazards and the influence such disasters have had on health issues in the area.

"The teachers will see for themselves how the people of Bangladesh cope with disaster and how regularly natural hazards continually affect daily life in the country. It's important for the group to gain this firsthand experience," Paul said.

The trip will be a two-way learning opportunity that will benefit both the United States and Bangladesh, according to Paul.

"The United States teachers will use their experience to form the basis for teaching standards and in return, we hope to speak with the government in Bangladesh about the importance of disaster warning systems," Paul said. "The country still primarily relies on natural warning signs of an upcoming disaster, such as the change in movement of animals -- primarily fish -- and we would like to encourage the country to develop a more reliable system of detection."

Additional funding for the project has been secured from the Iowa Geographic Alliance.