ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chávez to serve as Fulbright Specialist in Uruguay
Professor José Chávez has been awarded a Fulbright Specialist position and will travel to Uruguay in March 2025 to provide training and workshops on thermal remote sensing-based methods for crop water management. His work will involve evaluating current agricultural water management research capabilities in Uruguay and identifying opportunities to enhance those capabilities.
Chávez made connections with his sponsoring institution, Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), while in Uruguay to deliver a keynote address at the International Irrigation Management Symposium earlier this year.
“This project addresses two of INIA’s research objectives in regards to key aspects of irrigation water management,” said Chávez. “This training will contribute to a more sustainable irrigated agricultural practice and will enable the implementation of precise water management strategies that will optimize resource usage and minimize environmental impact while improving crop productivity.”
Chávez has performed significant research on remote sensing and looks forward continuing his work abroad this spring.
“This award is a great opportunity to assist developing countries through the sharing of acquired knowledge and skills,” said Chávez. “The prestigious Fulbright Specialist program will enhance the research program we have at Colorado State University by a growing international collaboration network, potentially incorporating a large number of crop (vegetation) types and conditions, which will make crop water demand determination and management models more globally transferable and adoptable.”
About the Fulbright Specialist Program
“The Fulbright Specialist Program, part of the larger Fulbright Program, was established in 2001 by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). The program pairs highly qualified U.S. academics and professionals with host institutions abroad to share their expertise, strengthen institutional linkages, hone their skills, gain international experience, and learn about other cultures while building capacity at their overseas host institutions.
Specialists, who represent a wide range of professional and academic disciplines, are competitively selected to join the Fulbright Specialist Roster based on their knowledge, skill sets, and ability to make a significant contribution to projects overseas. Those individuals that have been approved to join the Fulbright Specialist Roster are then eligible to be matched with approved projects designed by foreign host institutions from over 150 countries and other areas. Once abroad, Specialists partner with their host institution to conduct project activities in support of the host institution’s priorities and goals.
The Fulbright Specialist Program aims to provide a short-term, on-demand resource to international host institutions, giving them greater flexibility in how they participate with Fulbright. Specialists are strongly encouraged to continue to work with host institutions in the years following their initial exchange, creating opportunities for ongoing cooperation and consultancies.”