NC State College of Education Doctoral Student Awarded Fully-Funded Opportunity to Present Research at International Conference on Education and Global Studies in Japan

Nada Wafa ’11, ’19MS, ’22PHD, a doctoral student in the teacher education and learning sciences program area of study in social studies education at the NC State College of Education, has been awarded a fully-funded opportunity to present her thesis research at the International Conference on Education and Global Studies in Osaka, Japan, Jan. 16-17, 2020.

“I feel humbled to have been offered this opportunity. I look forward to learning from other participants, bringing back new ideas and sharing my research on global education,” said Wafa. “I hope to grow personally, academically and professionally, and I hope to meet people from all over the world and learn more about Japan’s culture.”

Wafa will present her research “The Implementation of an Inquiry-Based, Technology-Infused Global Education Curriculum in a 1st Grade Classroom.”

Global education is important to Wafa because before returning to NC State for her master’s and doctoral degrees, she taught at an international baccalaureate school in Amman, Jordan. Through that experience, she developed an understanding of global learning. As she worked through her master’s program, she developed an interest in understanding how to teach global education to students, especially in elementary and middle school grades.

“I believe global education has the potential to change the world. I’m passionate about learning what other cultures have to offer and it helps me expand my global awareness and knowledge,” she said. “We must start within ourselves and become globally aware and responsive by sharing the human experience through global education.”

Wafa received her Bachelor of Science in middle grades English Language Arts and social studies education and her Master of Science in new literacies and global learning from the NC State College of Education. She currently serves as a research and teaching assistant within the college.

After the completion of her doctoral degree, Wafa would like to continue in the field of teaching and research at the university level, develop curriculums and expand global education in the county before working on a larger scale. She also plans to work with global educators and partner with schools to enhance global education.

“I want to continue to develop inclusive communities, write children’s books that align with global knowledge, develop new resources and even open a global school,” said Wafa.