Global Spotlight

The Global Spotlight Initiative is an effort led by the Office for Global Engagement to support UVU faculty and to promote global awareness throughout Utah Valley University. It is carefully designed with the intent to encourage global and intercultural engagement across campus and within the community. Faculty may have up to $1500 of approved expenses reimbursed to their department to assist with their event or activity. 

Please review the Funding Request Rules carefully before submitting a proposal. The Global Spotlight experience must include an international component which benefits students directly.See older events here

Funding Requests Rules
  • Funding for the event/activity will be in the form of a UVU department index reimbursement of approved purchases after the event/activity has concluded.
  • The planned event must have Department Chair approval before submission of the Funding Request form.
  • Based on an estimated budget, funding for approved items up to $1500.00 can be requested.
  • The budget needs to be submitted before final approval for funds can be given.
  • Only Items purchased via UVU Department funds (i.e. P-cards and Travel cards) are eligible for reimbursement.
  • Copies of receipts must be submitted to [email protected] before funds can be transferred to UVU Department index.  
  • Once a faculty member has received funding, there will be a three-semester moratorium (including summer) before a new application can be considered.

Funds cannot be used for:

  • Funds may not be used to pay honorariums, to purchase books or other “give-away” items, or for decorations or backdrops.
  • Any items purchased with personal cards will not be eligible for reimbursement.

Funds can be used for:

  • Funds may be used for travel and/or lodging of a guest speaker, and on-campus food for the event and/or hosting a meal for a guest.
  • Our office can work with faculty to provide an event poster for digital signage (to be posted 2 weeks prior to the event). Faculty will be responsible for all other promotion, including printing physical posters and event promotion off-campus. Our department logo along with the Global Spotlight Initiative logo must appear on any publicity to qualify for reimbursement.

 

Click here to submit a funding request.
You will receive an initial response within 7 business

Examples of previous Global Spotlight events:

  • The UVU Music Department invited a German Composer who taught master classes on German music.
  • Irish Folk Dancers worked with the UVU Dance Department and taught Irish dances to UVU students.
  • A Spanish professor presented European models of education to secondary and elementary teachers.
  • A UVU Art Department Faculty taught traditional Japanese flower arrangement.

 

Please direct any questions related to the Global Spotlight Initiative to: Amy Barnett at [email protected] 

Past Spotlights

Global Spotlight 2023 - 2024

International Mother Language Day - February 21, 2024

IMLD 24

This Global Spotlight event was a collaboration 

Chinese NEW YEAR Celebration - February 9, 2024

Chinese New Year

On February 9, 2024 ...

Russian Language Jobs - JANUARY 29, 2024

Russian Language Jobs

This Global Spotlight event was a collaboration with the Russian Language Program in the Department of Languages & Cultures. Dr. Fred White and Amy Barnett (from the Office for Global Engagement) shared their expreiences using thier Russian language skills in a variety of jobs and volunteer positions. It was great opportunity for UVU students to ask questions and get career ideas. There was an assortment of Russian treats to sample, as well. 

JAPANESE NEW YEAR Celebration - JANUARY 25, 2024

Japanese New Year

On January 25 in CB 511, Japanese Language Program teacher, Yasuko Saito, led this cultural event to share Japanese New Year traditions with UVU. An estimated 230 students, staff and faculty enjoyed food and games for the holiday. Domo arigato!

Slavic Old New Year's - January 12, 2024

old new year

Gandfather Frost and the Snow Maiden, Snegurochka, passed out treats to excited children of all ages at the Old New Year Celebration at UVU on january 13. The Old New Year, or the Orthodox New Year, is an informal traditional holiday, celebrated as the start of the New Year by the Julian calendar (January 14). It was a fabulous chance for UVU students and members of the local community to share this Slavic tradition. 

 

Honorary Consul of France in Utah - November 14, 2023

Honorary Consul France

Honorary Consul of France in Utah, Anne Lair, met with UVU French language students and shared her insights and impressions about France's role in supporting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Her presentation was given in French. 

Rescuing Children in Uganda From Human Trafficking - November 1, 2023

Child Trafficking Uganda

Peter Sewakiryanga, executive director of Kyampisi Childcare Ministries, was invited to David Ssejinga's World History Class to speak on his work combating child trafficking in Uganda. Students from the Social Work department also joined the audience. There were over 60 in attendence. 

Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce - October 12, 2023

Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

On  October 12, executive director of the Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Juan Pascua, gave a presentation on business opportinities for the hispanic community in Utah. Spanish teaher, Mari de Dios, hosted Mr. Pascua to her class. The lecture was given in Spanish. 

Kyrgys Republic-Utah IT Forum with Ambassador Baktybek Amanbaev - September 29, 2023

Kyrgys Republic-Utah IT Forum with  Ambassador Baktybek Amanbaev

Our first Global Spotlight event of the semester was the Kyrgyz Republic - Utah IT Forum on September 29. This event was a networking oppurtunity between students from the College of Engineering and Technology and over 15 software company leaders from the Kyrgyz Republic. 

 


 

 

Global Spotlight 2022 - 2023

Foundation of the Inca Empire by the Four Ayar brothers and the Pata Pata Tarpuy Raymi - June 28, 2023

Hermanos Ayar

This Peruvian cultural event was a collaboration between the Office for Global Engagement and the Honorary Consulate of Peru in Utah. Guest artists from Peru retold the story of the foundation of the Inca Empire by the Four Ayar brothers and the Pata Pata Tarpuy Raymi. The event was opened up to include the  local Peruian community who filled the Grand Ballroom.  The presenttion was given in Spanish and Quechua.

Darwin Day - February 10, 2023

Darwin Day

For this Global Spotlight sponsored event, attention turned to the United Kingdom and the celebration of Darwin Day.  Dr. Joseph L. Graves, professor of biological science at North Carloina Agricultural and Technical State University gave the keynote adress. In celebration of Darwin's birthday, enough cake for 200 was passed out in the Science Atrium.

Slavic Old New Year - January 13, 2023

Old New Year

UVU Russian language students joined members of the local community from Ukraine, Armenia, Russia and other former Soviet republics to celebrate the Old New Year on January 13.  Food, song, games and a visit by Grandfather Frost and Snegurochka filled the evening with fun. This traditional dating of the New Year is sometimes commonly called "Orthodox" because it harks back to a time when governments in Russia and Eastern Europe used the Julian calendar, which is still used by some jurisdictions of the Eastern Orthodox Church

 


 

 

Global Spotlight 2021 - 2022

Inti Raymi Utah - April 28, 2022

On April 28 at 7:00 pm in the UVU Grand Ballroom, the Office for Global Engagement, in conjunction with the City of Cusco in Peru and the Consulate of Peru, celebrated the most significant Incan festival of the Andean Calendar, the Inti Raymi (Sun Festival). This is the first time in their history that this celebration was held outside of Peru.

Mathematics for Human Flourishing - February 24, 2022

Maths for Human Flourishing

Dr. Francis Edward Su
Benediktsson-Karwa
Professor of Mathematics Harvey Mudd College

"The deep connection between mathematics and human desires show why people in every culture around the globe do mathematics, not just to build things and conduct commerce, but for enjoyment and exploration."

International Mother Language Day - February 23, 2022

International Mother Language Day

International Mother Language Day recognizes that languages and multilingualism can advance inclusion, and the Sustainable Development Goals’ focus on leaving no one behind. UNESCO believes education, based on the first language or mother tongue, must begin from the early years as early childhood care and education is the foundation of learning.

Japan global spotligh banner

JAPAN 2019-2020

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UK global spotlight banner

UNITED KINGDOM 2018-2019

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Spain global spotlight banner

SPAIN 2017-2018

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Israel global spotlight banner

ISRAEL 2016-2017

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Canada global spotlight banner

CANADA 2015-2016

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Peru global spotlight banner

PERU 2014-2015

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Mexico global spotlight image

MEXICO 2013-2014

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Eurasia global spotlight banner

EURASIA 2012-2013 

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Brazil global spotlight banner

BRAZIL 2011-2012

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China global spotlight banner

CHINA 2010-2011

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