Thursday, June 20, 2013 02:22 
INQUIRER Editor Gets Humphrey Award
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INQUIRER Associate Editor, Melissa Chea-Annan has been granted an award of a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship to spend the 2012-2013 academic year at the University of Maryland, in the United States of America (USA).
Journalist Chea-Annan, who has departed the country to commence her studies this June in Davis, California, is one of 10 distinguished professionals in the fields of communications and journalism who will be part of the Humphrey Program at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism.
A communication of acceptance addressed to Journalist Chea-Annan, from Lucinda Fleeson, Director and Serap Rada, Deputy Director of the University explained that their goal is to provide practical knowledge about the U.S. media, culture and government, and a chance to exchange ideas with colleagues from around the world.
Journalists Chea-Annan, who is also Vice President of the Press Union of Liberia, (PUL) was selected by the J. William Fulbright Fellowship Board for a Humphrey Fellowship that is administered by the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, United States Department of State with the cooperation of the Institute of International Education.
The University of Maryland is a state university founded in 1856. More than 34,000 students attend classes in more than 80 academic departments. The university has a long history of international education. Students originate from 100 different countries; 20 percent of the graduate students are from abroad.
The College of Journalism has been ranked among the top journalism schools in the United States and has a faculty of outstanding journalists and scholars, many with international experience. The College also conducts a number of respected programs for mid-career journalists.
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program was initiated in 1978 to honor the late Senator and Vice President and his life–long commitment to international cooperation and public service. The program brings accomplished mid–career professionals from developing nations and emerging democracies to the United States for an academic year to study, gain related professional experience and foster cultural exchange.
The program provides a basis for lasting ties between United States citizens and the Fellows and it strengthens the global exchange of knowledge and experience.
Humphrey Fellows are selected based on their potential for leadership and their commitment to public service in either the public or the private sector.
More than 3,700 men and women have been honored as Humphrey Fellows since the program began in 1978 and seventeen major universities in the United States host Humphrey Fellows.
The Humphrey Fellowship Program's mission is to foster a mutual exchange of knowledge and understanding about issues of common concern in the United States and the Fellows' home countries.
The Program offers Fellows valuable opportunities for leadership development and professional engagement with Americans and their counterparts from many nations.
During the 2012-2013 academic year Vanderbilt University will be hosting 10 educational leaders. Humphrey Fellows for 2012-2013 are from the following countries including Bahrain, Brazil, India, Liberia, Maldives, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, and Pakistan.
