UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – The first Penn State Architectural Engineering Department Graduate Scholarships sponsored by the World Bank have been awarded to two incoming international students. The recipients, Ali Faragalla and Tandin Norbu, will pursue master’s studies in architectural engineering.

World Bank Fellows must be from eligible member countries and have a bachelor’s degree and at least three years of professional experience – and intend to use the knowledge they gain to support the built environment in their home country. origin upon graduation. Faragalla and Norbu will each receive a stipend of $ 2,800 per month to a maximum of $ 33,600 while enrolled in the program and residing in the United States.

Faragalla will focus his studies on construction management and engineering. Currently teaching assistant in the Department of Architecture at the University of Juba, South Sudan, Faragalla has focused his career on architecture and sustainable development. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from university in 2015, Faragalla worked as an Assistant Architect at SUDARCH & Associates and RBC Consulting Co. Ltd. He also contributed to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization project, which aimed to improve the situation in South Sudan. fishing industry, traveling to remote locations to learn about the impact of sustainable construction practices on underdeveloped communities. He is a member of the South Sudan Architecture Forum, an initiative to link architectural practice with public impact.

Upon returning to South Sudan after graduation, Faragalla plans to continue his research and education at the University of Juba while working with government agencies and possibly international agencies to advocate for management practices. and sustainable development across the country.

“My long term plan is to be a leading researcher and policy maker in architecture, the construction industry, development and sustainability,” said Faragalla. “This will have a tremendous impact on the South Sudan Architecture Forum by turning it into a national think tank that will engage with government agencies and other international development partners to help address pressing issues facing my country is facing.

Norbu’s interest in the estate was sparked as a child when his grandfather told him stories about overseeing the construction of a bridge that would help many in his community. Norbu graduated with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the Royal University of Bhutan in 2011 and worked in a private steel mill and structural design company. As a civil engineer working for the government of Bhutan, Norbu designed school infrastructure and oversaw school construction projects. In his current role as an executive engineer on the Government’s Construction Development Board, he is involved in research and policy development and the design of programs that implement best practices and innovations in construction.

Norbu said he aims to develop his knowledge and technical skills regarding new building sciences and construction technologies, as well as sustainable development, in order to better cope with the challenges that hamper construction processes.

“With architectural engineering, it is possible to use technology and engineering to design buildings that are functional, resilient and sustainable,” Norbu said. “The Master of Engineering program will highlight the importance of sustainability in any engineering process – especially in construction – and provide me with skills in developing sustainable processes in all phases of construction.”

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Last updated July 16, 2021