Karin Fisher, Ph.D., associate professor of special education at Georgia Southern University, has received a Fulbright Specialist Program Award from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. 

She will complete a project at the Dyslexia Association of Sarawak in Malaysia that aims to exchange knowledge and establish partnerships benefiting participants, institutions and communities both in the U.S. and overseas through a variety of educational and training activities within education.

“The Fulbright Specialist Award is a profound honor that underscores the significance of international collaboration in advancing educational practices,” Fisher said. “The award provides an incredible opportunity to expand my understanding of global perspectives on dyslexia and special education. Additionally, it will enable me to bring back a wealth of knowledge and innovative approaches from my work with the Dyslexia Association of Sarawak.” 

In Malaysia, Fisher will support and enhance the organization’s efforts in addressing the needs of children with dyslexia and related learning disabilities. The program includes visiting various educational institutions and special schools; conducting workshops for teachers to strengthen their management skills for children with learning disabilities;  and facilitating awareness programs for parents. 

In addition, she will collaborate with local educators and stakeholders to develop and implement effective early intervention strategies and assessment tools. 

“The project aims to foster knowledge exchange and build sustainable partnerships that will benefit the local Sarawak community and our educational practices at Georgia Southern University,” said Fisher.

She is one of more than 400 U.S. citizens who share expertise with host institutions abroad through the Fulbright Specialist Program each year. Recipients of Fulbright Specialist awards are selected based on academic and professional achievement, demonstrated leadership in their field and their potential to foster long-term cooperation between institutions in the U.S. and abroad.

“Upon my return, I am excited to share these global best practices with my colleagues and students, enriching our curriculum and fostering a more inclusive educational environment,” Fisher said. “Moreover, this experience will allow me to share new perspectives on dyslexia and special education, promoting a more supportive and informed environment for neurodiverse students. I am committed to sharing the importance of cultural competency and international collaboration to improve educational outcomes locally and globally.”

The recipient of Georgia Southern’s 2022-23 University Award of Excellence for Academics, Fisher also just completed two years as the president of the Georgia Council for Exceptional Children.

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to build lasting connections between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The Fulbright Program is funded through an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the program, which operates in over 160 countries worldwide.

Since its establishment in 1946, the Fulbright Program has given more than 400,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists and scientists the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.

Fulbrighters address critical global issues in all disciplines while building relationships, knowledge and leadership in support of the long-term interests of the United States. Fulbright alumni have achieved distinction in many fields, including 60 who have been awarded the Nobel Prize, 88 who have received Pulitzer Prizes and 39 who have served as a head of state or government. For further information about the Fulbright Program, visit here.

Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution founded in 1906, offers approximately 155 different degree programs serving more than 26,100 students through 10 colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast Georgia with expert faculty, the University is focused on public impact research and engaging learning opportunities through knowledge and know-how that prepare our students to take ownership of their lives, careers and communities. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.