From June 29 to July 15, 2015, Robert "Skutch" Montgomery attended the Universitas 21 conference at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. The unique Universitas partnership allows students from universities around the world to come together each summer to discuss a centralized theme. This year's theme was "Cities and Citizen Engagement in the Digital Age." From start to finish, the program was immersive and included topics such as Urban Ecology, Sustainable Development, City Planning, Renewable Energy, Environmental Policy, Smart Transportation, Big Data Analytics, Digital Health, and more.
In addition to providing a traditional educational experience, the Universitas program also included tours of the countryside, including such sites as Loch Lomond and the Scottish Highlands; visits to other cities such as Edinburgh and Dundee; and dinners at various museums, art galleries, and restaurants.
"This program gave me a whole new appreciation for urban centers," said Skutch, "as well as a new outlook in pursuing a career relevant to City Planning or Citizen Engagement." Skutch added that many of the topics they discussed at Universitas 21 overlapped well with some of the things he's been studying here in Environmental Science and Policy.
"I am very grateful for the opportunity provided by Universitas 21 and the University of Maryland Office of International Affairs; I highly encourage ENSP students to apply for the program next spring." NOTE: Program application deadlines are usually in late April. For more information and requirements, please contact Dr. Raluca Nahorniac(link sends e-mail) in the Office of International Affairs.
This is the second year ENSP students have participated in Universitas 21. in 2014, ENSP students Leah Schliefer, Samantha Bingaman, and Colleen Shipley were among five University of Maryland students who gathered in Sydney, Australia to learn about sustainable urban development at the University of New South Wales, Australia.
