HOUSTON - The University of Houston-Downtown is hosting 23 students and their group leader from the Central Police University (CPU) in Taiwan from Jan. 12-27 for specialized instruction in English and cultural field trips.
UHD President Bill Flores officially welcomed the CPU group at a ceremony Thursday, Jan. 12. Others on hand for the event included Brian Chapman, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost; Michael Dressman, associate vice president, academic affairs, vice provost and dean of graduate studies; Clete Snell, criminal justice department chair; Jean DeWitt, community engagement director; Spencer Lightsy, international programs director; Gail Kellersberger, English Language Institute director; Lynn Bunker, instructor, and Colin Nicholson, instructor.
“Our goal is to improve their English skills, present UHD in a favorable light and introduce them to U.S. culture,” Kellersberger said.
The students are associated with the Bayou Connection program which UHD’s Criminal Justice Department forged with CPU.That program brings transfer students from CPU to UHD to study upper level CJ degrees, Kellersberger said.However, this three-week English immersion program developed from the Bayou Connection and takes place once or twice a year with the English Language Institute. The 23 students at UHD now are studying for Taiwanese degrees in criminal justice and in fire managementwith plans to work as police officers, fire fighters and related occupations, Kellersberger said. From past ELI experience, the students will range in age and experience from freshmen to doctoral students.
The immersion program introduces the students to UHD and Houston. It also provides specialized instruction in the English language used in the fire and police fields with emphasis on conversation and report writing, and provides field-related and cultural field trips.
The CPU group will be at UHD through a closing ceremony on Jan. 27.
