The Todd Award is named for Dr. Sybil Todd, Vice President for Student Affairs from 1998 to 2003. This award is presented to individuals or organizations outside of the Division of Student Life who have demonstrated excellence in partnership and whose service to all our constituents is of an exceptional nature.
Growing up, Sindhu Belki was often discouraged from reaching for the stars.
Belki knew she wanted to pursue a career in aeronautics from a young age, but she realized she would have to leave her home country to achieve those dreams.
“I grew up in Qatar, and we don’t have a space industry. But ever since I was little, I always dreamed of being an astronaut,” she said.
Now, Belki is set to graduate this spring with her bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from The University of Alabama.
Although leaving her home country and her family seemed scary, Belki knew she had to in order to pursue her dreams. As soon as she stepped onto The University of Alabama’s campus, she knew this was the place where she was meant to be.
“Right from the beginning, it felt like everyone at The University of Alabama wanted to make a difference in my life and my career,” she said.
After she decided to commit to The Capstone due to the wealth of scholarships offered, she immediately felt at home and ready to pursue her passion.
It felt like everybody I talked to was heavily invested in my education and ensuring that I got to pursue my education. Throughout my time here, I have felt nothing but warmth and joy.
Sindhu Belki
Since arriving at The University of Alabama, Belki has garnered many accolades and scholarships. She received the Zed Factor Fellowship, which highlights underrepresented minorities in the aerospace industry, and the Brooke Owens Fellowship. She also served as the project manager of the Alabama Rocketry Association, UA’s student-run rocketry club. Under her guidance, the team placed 18th nationally. She also represented UA at the 74th International Aeronautical Congress, where she presented her first paper on small satellite launch services. At the conference, she was one of the youngest delegates ever, at just 21 years old.
During her time at UA, Belki was able to network with many people in the industry, making connections that helped her secure internships.
“A lot of [UA] alumni go on to work in big-name companies like NASA and SpaceX,” she said.
Belki hopes her accomplishments and actions will inspire young girls to pursue their passion. This summer, she will be participating in a series of educational talks across Qatar in collaboration with universities and high schools across the country. While in Qatar, she hopes to highlight the space industry’s importance and continuous impact on the world and on our daily lives.
After graduation, Belki will begin a Master of Aerospace Engineering this fall at Georgia Tech — and credits The University of Alabama for helping her get there.
“Bama felt like the only place where I could be anything I wanted to be. I was able to define my identity here, and I will truly miss it,” Belki said.
International Students Association, Winners of 2024 Organization of The Year
On, Tuesday, April 9, The International Students Association were awarded the prestigious, David L Phelps Organization of The Year Award for 2023-24.
The David L Phelps Organization of The Year Award is awarded to a student organization that best exemplifies excellence in student involvement at The University of Alabama.
This award recognizes the amazing efforts by the ISA and their Executive Board: Omid Reyhanigalangashi, Abiodun Wahab, Diweng Dafong, Kazi Hassan Shakib, Zumanah Kamal, Matilde Tricca, Rahul Mondal, and Sophia Xiong.
The Exemplo Capstone Awards is an annual recognition hosted by The Office of Student Involvement, University Programs (UP), Student Government, Student Center, and Center for Service and Leadership (CSL).
This collaborative event honors the contributions of individuals and campus organizations to service and leadership within and outside of the UA community.
These are the highest honors that can be bestowed upon student organizations and individuals in regard to campus leadership and service.
This year, Ramadan takes place March 10 – April 9, 2024.
Ramadan stands as a sacred period in Islam, marking the revelation of the Qur’an. Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, fostering closeness to God and nurturing qualities like self-discipline, gratitude, and empathy for the needy. It’s a time of spiritual renewal, characterized by increased Quranic recitation and prayer.
FASTING During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, about 12 hours daily over 29-30 days. It’s a time for spiritual and physical discipline, fostering self-reflection and moral growth. Fasting promotes God-consciousness and encourages good deeds.
The first 6 days are typically the hardest.
Students may be more tired than usual.
They also may be homesick during this time.
WAYS TO SUPPORT STUDENTS DURING RAMADAN Prayer Times: During Ramadan, students may prioritize prayer times, observing the five daily prayers at various intervals throughout the day.
Consider allowing brief breaks during class, labs, seminars, or events for prayer or iftar.
Additionally, be aware of evening activities that may coincide with worship times.
Respect students who may pray in quiet area such as hallways or designated room.
Academics: Reasonable accommodations should be provided for fasting students during finals and exams, such as adjusting exam times or allowing students to eat during the exam if needed.
It’s important to minimize stress by offering support and understanding the challenges students may encounter.
Recognize that students may adjust their sleep schedules due to late-night prayers and early morning meals during Ramadan.
On August 10, The University of Alabama community came together to honor international student Ifeanyi Chidubem Prince Anyoku, who tragically passed away on August 5, 2023.
Ifeanyi came to UA from Nigeria in Fall 2022 to pursue his Bachelor’s degree in Biology.
In his time here, Ifeanyi made a tremendous impact on the University, having been named to the academic honors President’s List twice in his first year of study, as an active member of the Blount Scholars Program, the African Students Association, Al’s Pals, Circle K International, the First Baptist Church, and UA Housing and Residential Communities.
These communities came together to share their thoughts and memories of a young man who left too soon.
Many of the attendees left their thoughts and memories, which can be viewed here (View Tributes).
On June 17, 2023, the nonimmigrant visa (NIV) application processing fee for visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2s and BCCs), and other non-petition based NIVs such as student and exchange visitor visas (F, M, and J visas), will increase from $160 to $185. The fee for certain petition-based NIVs for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) will increase from $190 to $205. The fee for a treaty trader, treaty investor, and treaty applicants in a specialty occupation (nonimmigrant E category) visa will increase from $205 to $315. NIV fees paid prior to June 17, 2023, will remain valid through the expiration date of the fee receipt.
NIV fees are set based on the actual cost of providing NIV services and are determined after conducting a study of the cost of these services. The Department uses an Activity-Based Costing (ABC) methodology to calculate, annually, the cost of providing consular services, including visa services. The fees for most non-petition based NIVs were last updated in 2012, and certain other visa fees were last updated in 2014.
This rule does not change any other fees, including the fee to apply for a waiver of the two-year residency requirement for certain exchange visitors, which remains at $120.
COVID Rules End May 12, 2023 – Proof of Vaccine No Longer Required to Enter U.S.
As of 12:01 am EDT May 12, 2023, noncitizen nonimmigrant air passengers no longer need to show proof of being fully vaccinated with an accepted COVID-19 vaccine to board a flight to the United States. See more information.
U.S. Department of State Announces Updated Options for Form DS-2019
On March 28, 2023, the Department of State published an Interim Final Rule in the Federal Register that permits designated sponsors for the Exchange Visitor Program to digitally sign and electronically transmit Forms DS-2019 to an enumerated list of parties. The new regulation will reduce costs, improve efficiencies for exchange program sponsors, and streamline Department of State exchange visitor visa processing. While the rule goes into effect on April 27, 2023, the Department of State will accept public comments on the rule until May 30, 2023.
The Form DS-2019 is the controlled document used by the Department of State to administer the Exchange Visitor Program. Exchange visitors and their accompanying spouses or dependents, if any, must present paper Forms DS-2019 to apply for nonimmigrant J visas at U.S. embassies or consulates. Exchange visitors must obtain J-1 visas and accompanying spouses or dependents, if any, must obtain J-2 visas to enter the United States. They must carry their Forms DS-2019 to the U.S. port of entry and present their passports, visas, and Forms DS-2019 to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers to seek entry into the United States.
Prior to April 27, 2023, sponsors had to sign paper Forms DS-2019 in blue ink and mail them to prospective exchange visitors. With the publication of the Interim Final Rule, sponsors may continue to mail paper copies of Forms DS-2019, but no longer must sign them in blue ink. In addition, the Interim Final Rule offers two new options:
Sponsors may print and physically sign paper forms in ink (blue ink not required), scan and save them (e.g., as portable document format (PDF) files), and electronically transmit them (e.g., via email).
Sponsors may use digital signature software to sign Forms DS-2019 and then electronically transmit them (e.g., via email) or mail them.
In the aftermath of the Turkey-Syria earthquake, the UA Turkish Student Association and several departments on campus, have put together an event to raise awareness and support for the victims. The event will look at the current conditions in Turkey as well as discuss how we can support community members who have been affected. The students have also compiled a list of organizations taking donations in order to provide relief directly to Turkey.
Invited speakers include Dr. Mesut Yavuz, Associate Professor of Operations Management, Dr. Ibrahim Cemen, Professor of Geology, M. Zeki Gungordu, Turkish Language Trainer, Critical Languages Center, and Dr. Noor Chazal Aswad, Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Studies. Dr. Waleed Hazbun, Political Science, and Dr. Cheryl Toman, Modern Languages and Classics, will be moderating.
The event HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at 6:00 pm in the Yellowhammer Room of Gorgas Library.
Organized by: The Chambers Professorship in Middle Eastern Studies; The Departments of Political Science, Modern Languages & Classics, Geological Sciences, and Communication Studies; Office of Global and Community Engagement; The Turkish Student Association; Capstone International Center; The Aronov Chair for Judaic Studies; Department of Political Science.
