University At Buffalo Asked to Assist In Bosnian Social Reconstruction Effort

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The English Language Institute (ELI) of the University at Buffalo is exploring the possibility of opening an intensive English language program at Tuzla University once the Bosnian war has ended.

Stephen C. Dunnett, institute director and UB vice provost for international education, said a representative of the ELI is currently visiting Tuzla in Bosnia to determine how such a program might best be structured to meet the needs of the Bosnian people.

"After the implementation of the peace accords, Bosnia will require tremendous reconstruction of every sector of its society," said Dunnett, a prime mover in the development of American overseas education programs.

"Education is a top priority of both the Bosnian government and of the international donor agencies that serve Bosnia," he said, "and we're very proud to have been asked to assist them in this effort."

John K. Fitzer, ELI assistant director for academic support services, arrived in Tuzla last week and has met with the rector of the Tuzla University. He also is meeting with personnel from the Tuzla Medical Center, and government and business representatives.

Fitzer is traveling with a group of physicians from International Medical Relief of Western New York. The organization, founded and directed by Jacob Bergsland, M.D., has for several years sponsored an exchange program between health-care personnel in Bosnia and medical staff at The Buffalo General Hospital.

UB was invited to look at the feasibility of establishing an ELI program in Tuzla by Tuzla University and the international Medical Relief of Western New York. The program would be funded by grants.

The group has provided Bosnian physicians with instruction in new medical procedures and has helped equip the Tuzla Medical Center with advanced technology for diagnosis and treatment.

Fitzer and the ELI developed a medical English course specifically to assist the Bosnian doctors and nurses who came to Buffalo for training.

"We hope the new Bosnian ELI program to be somewhat broader in scope than the language instruction that now supports the International Medical Relief exchange program," Fitzer said. "We want to situate the program in Bosnia and incorporate instruction in business and academic English, as well as instruction in medical English."

"Many aspects of the proposed program are still tenuous," he added, "but the long-range plan is to bring Bosnian English teachers to the U.S. to study so that they can return home and operate the language program by themselves."

The ELI, which operates at UB as well as abroad, has awarded certificates to more than 17,000 students from 101 countries since it was founded in 1971. The institute has extensive experience in the teaching of English for specific purposes, especially English for science, technology and business professionals, and has developed programs with universities and other educational institutions throughout Eastern Europe and the Pacific Rim.