JACKSON, Tenn. — May 5, 2022 — Jan Wilms, university professor and department chair of computer science at Union, received a Fulbright scholar grant to help develop cybersecurity programs at the University of Da Nang in Vietnam during the fall 2022 semester.
The Fulbright program is a government program designed to help build educational bridges with other nations through an exchange of academics and professions. Fulbright alumni include 61 Nobel Laureates, 89 Pulitzer Prize winners, 76 MacArthur fellows and thousands of leaders and world-renowned scholars.
Wilms will teach cybersecurity classes at the University of Da Nang and will help train the faculty members in cybersecurity education. He hopes to help the university develop a cybersecurity major, modeled after Union University’s program and accreditation.
With the growth of cybersecurity in recent years, Wilms plans to introduce this education to the university and leave them with helpful resources to help equip the next generation of cybersecurity professionals in Vietnam.
“There’s such a shortage of qualified cybersecurity experts in the United States, let alone in developing countries,” Wilms said. “So, we thought helping a university establish a major to train their own citizens in cybersecurity would be a worthwhile project.”
Hunter Baker, dean for the College of Arts and Sciences at Union, said Union is thrilled to see one of its own receive this great American academic honor, recognized by a large number of Americans as a sign of excellence and international goodwill.
“I am grateful to the provost, president and board for granting Dr. Wilms a research leave to fulfill the responsibilities of the grant,” Baker said. “Their support demonstrates the university’s dedication to international outreach and to faculty development.”
Wilms hopes to take Union’s people-focused and Christ-centered values with him as he teaches at the University of Da Nang, and he is thankful to Union for giving him the opportunity to be its personal ambassador overseas.
“[The Fulbright grant] is something I’ve always hoped for but never expected to be possible,” Wilms said. “I am incredibly appreciative to the Union administration for their support and investment in this endeavor, and I am hoping this enriching experience will translate in the classroom when I return.”
Wilms is the third Union faculty member to receive the Fulbright scholar grant, and Baker said this is an affirmation of the excellent faculty members who teach at Union University.
“There is little doubt in my mind that Dr. Wilms will be both a winsome Christian and a gracious recipient of hospitality as he goes about his work,” Baker said. “He will do good work for students and faculty in Vietnam, and he will come back as an even better professor after this new experience in another culture.”