University of Wisconsin-Madison Has New Grants
for Graduate Study in Slavic Languages
The Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures of the University of Wisconsin has been awarded a grant in the amount of $599,198 by the Department of Education's Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Program. The grant will support a program to award twelve graduate fellowships per year over the next three years to students pursuing the PhD in Slavic Languages. Qualified undergraduates who wish to study Polish or other east European languages and literatures should apply to Professor David Bethea, Chair, Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures, University of Wisconsin, 1411 Van Hise Hall, 1220 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, tel. (608) 262-2852. The SR comment: the Department's Polish section includes an outstanding Polish scholar, Professor Halina Filipowicz.
Polish University in Vilnius
From the Rector-designate of the Polish University in Vilnius, Dr. hab. Romuald Brazis (Institute of Physics-Semiconductors, the Lithuanian Academy of Science) we received the following information about the university: the enterprise is in statu nascendi, but on October 3, 1991, the introductory courses, with 150 persons enrolled, were already inaugurated. They will continue until Fall 1992, when establishment of the following specializations is envisaged: medicine, dentistry, business and management, computer science, biology; physical education; Polish, English and German philology; fine and applied arts; education. The language of instruction is Polish.
The university is sponsored by the Association of Polish-Lithuanian Scientists. It accepts persons of all national backgrounds (Mieczyslaw Jackiewicz, )Uniwersytet polski w Wilnie ju/ dzia=a,) Tygodnik Powszechny, 3 November 1991).
The university does not yet have its own campus. Negotiations with the Lithuanian authorities are in progress.
Rector Brazis appeals to scholars of Polish background everywhere to consider spending a semester in Vilnius to guest teach at the university. While the university cannot offer remuneration at this point, those on paid sabbatical leave might be able to reconcile teaching in Vilnius and scholarly research. Mailings of English and Polish scholarly books are also welcome.
Financial help is needed. The prestige of any such new institution depends on the amount of money raised. Money can be sent to:
NYU Czech Program in Prague
New York University sponsors courses in Czech language, literature, cinema and politics in Prague, Czecho-Slovakia, July 6-August 9, 1992, with transferable credits. Room and board in Czech dormitories. For more information write to Jonathan A. Lipman, Director, Arts & Science Summer Programs, New York University, 6 Washington Square, New York, N.Y. 10003, tel. (212) 998-8172.
U. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Polish Program in Lublin
Slavic Languages and Literatures Department at the UWM sponsors a Summer Study Tour at the Catholic University of Lublin, July 14-August 20, 1992. Courses in Polish language at all levels. Courses in literature and history available to qualified students. Excursions to historical cities and sights nearby. UWM will give five credits for full participation. Price is $2,152 for five weeks, all inclusive. For details write or call Professor Michael Mikos, (414)229-4948, Department of Slavic Languages, UWM, Milwaukee, WI 53201.
Buy Gerber!
The Gerber Products Co. plans to buy 60% of ALIMA, Central Europe's largest baby food company in Rzeszow, Poland. 40% of stock will be offered to employees and suppliers. Gerber will invest $14 million in the company. Poland's family-oriented traditions may have helped (NYT Business section, February 14, 1992).