YSEALI Students Welcomed to UNO

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is hosting 21 students from Southeast Asia as part of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Academic Fellowship, a U.S. Department of State program. The YSEALI participants arrived on Monday, March 13 to begin their five week fellowship, where in addition to their academic studies, they will also have the opportunity to explore western Nebraska and visit other parts of the United States.

During these visits, the fellows will meet with local non-governmental organizations, give cultural presentations to local communities, and participate in a homestay with local families. This marks the third year that UNO has been selected to serve as a host institution.

The group represents all 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The mission of the intensive, short-term academic program is to provide participants with civic engagement, leadership and collaboration skills; cultivate an understanding of American culture, values, and institutions; establish ties with institutions throughout Southeast Asia; and foster relations between the United States and Southeast Asian nations.

“These young leaders have been identified as the up and coming leaders of their countries," said Patrick McNamara, Ph.D., principal administrator for the three-year YSEALI program. "The YSEALI Academic Fellows have proven from a young age that they are committed and dedicating their lives to betterment of their communities, regions, and countries through areas of education, civic engagement, volunteerism, youth development, public health, and many more. We learn as much from them as they do from us.”

In addition to studying at UNO, students will visit Scottsbluff and Gering, Nebraska; Mount Rushmore; Portland, Oregon; and Washington, D.C. over the five weeks.

Launched in 2013, the YSEALI Academic Fellowship is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State to strengthen leadership development and networking in Southeast Asia. The fellowship focuses on critical topics identified by youth in the region: civic engagement; environment and natural resources management; and entrepreneurship and economic development.

UNO will host an Alumni Summit for YSEALI academic fellows from Fall 2015, Fall 2016, and Spring 2017 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in May. For more information on the YSEALI Academic Fellowship, email ECA-Press@state.gov.