Global Affairs was one of the co-sponsors of the mEducation Alliance Symposium that was held at Mason Square from September 11 to 14, 2023. Current Global Affairs students and alumni were selected as paid fellows to help organize the symposium and to provide support during the sessions, and two graduate students were selected to represent Global Affairs at the STEM Education Village where over 25 exhibitors from around the world were present. Read about a few of their experiences below!
“As a recent graduate of the Global Affairs MA program, I was excited to represent Mason at the 2023 mEducation Alliance Symposium as a student fellow. The symposium was a great opportunity to learn about what professionals are doing to increase S.T.E.M. education in the US and abroad. It was also an awesome opportunity for networking with professionals in global affairs, as well as a chance to get to know other Mason students. As a Mason alum actively searching for a job, the symposium was a great way to gain experience and make connections in my field.” - Jasmine Rihane
“My experience as a fellow for the mEducation Alliance 2023 symposium was one of the most rewarding opportunities I have ever received. The symposium spanned over four days, the first three days were held at Mason Square in Arlington which the attendees found to be an innovative building. The theme of this year’s symposium was ‘Inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders’ which prompted interesting sessions. I was joined by five other accomplished Mason students and graduates who served as profound sources of inspiration for me. I am immensely proud to say that our team's dedication ensured the smooth execution of the symposium and earned us positive feedback from countless attendees.
As a Global Affairs major, every setting that allows me to engage with international stakeholders equips me with the skills for success in my field. I had conversations with prominent figures from the World Bank, UNHCR, USAID, NASA, World Education, and more. With every interaction, I had the honor of representing not just Mason but also my student organization, No Lost Generation @Mason which is dedicated to refugee advocacy. I gained invaluable insight from the attendees and at the end of the symposium, I felt that I took a giant leap closer to my goals. On the last day of the symposium, we were invited to the World Bank which was an unforgettable experience.” - Ayman Habib
Global Affairs Master’s students Diana Fernandez (L) and Janeth Esmerelda Rodriguez (R) with the Founder and Executive Director of the mEducation Alliance and Mason alum, Anthony Bloome at the symposium.
mEducation Alliance is a non-profit organization founded in 2010. It is “focused on the evidence-driven sustainable role of technology in education to advance quality educational outcomes.” Learn more about the organization at https://meducationalliance.org/.
October 18, 2023