April 04, 2016
by Jere W. Morehead, President
The University of Georgia provides students with extraordinary learning experiences. Among them is undergraduate research, facilitated by the Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO). Undergraduate research helps our students form relationships with faculty, develop problem solving and critical thinking skills, and produce innovative scholarship.
UGA is a special place where a student can complete up to four years of faculty-mentored undergraduate research in any discipline on campus, and we are committed to increasing opportunities for our students to engage in this type of learning. We recently expanded an undergraduate research assistantship program that provides stipends to students who are conducting research alongside faculty. Established in 2014 with funding for 250 students, this program will provide stipends to up to 500 students in the future.
Outstanding student research will be on display today and tomorrow during the 2016 CURO Symposium at the Classic Center. Involvement in this annual event has increased substantially since its introduction in 1999. This year’s Symposium will feature 408 student presenters—a record number. Moreover, for the first time ever, the majority of presenters will be students outside of the Honors Program, indicating that this program has expanded beyond its origins to reach the entire campus.
Undergraduate research opportunities have an energizing effect on the academic life of the University, and I am pleased to say that student engagement in this high-impact learning experience is greater than ever.