18.5. 2015

We are pleased to announce the 2015 inaugural recipients of the Pearson and Nelson Competitive (Travel) Scholarships. In 2014, the Pearson and Nelson scholarship program was created through the generosity of Professors Judy Pearson and Paul Nelson to assist first-time conference participants of the World Communication (WCA) with travel costs. These scholarships, each of $400 dollars, are awarded on a competitive basis to doctoral candidates, newly graduated PhDs or early career scholars. Winning papers were ranked on the agreed set of WCA rigorous paper presentation criteria.

The winners are:

Dr. Ponmalar N. Alagappar, University of Malaya (Malaysia) for her paper, “The Minority Tamil Immigrant Community in Kuching, Sarawak: Cultural Maintenance?”

Dr. Adamu M. Hamid, The Federal Polytechni (Bauchi, Nigeria), for his paper, “Use of Social Network Sites Among Students of Tertiary Institutions in North Eastern Nigeria: A Study of Selected Higher Institutions in Bauchi.”

Dr. Yingli Zhou, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing, China), for her paper, “Using Social Media to Promote Intercultural Communication between Chinese and American University Students.”

The recipients will be honored at the upcoming WCA conference in Lisbon, Portugal. At that time, they will be presented with $400.00 in cash and a plaque, plus membership of the World Communication Association for the two year period 2015-2016.

A huge thank you to members of the Pearson and Nelson Competitive (Travel) Scholarship Committee for their excellent work:

  • Dr. Caroline Hatcher, Chair (Australia)
  • Dr. MD Salleh Hassan (Malaysia)
  • Dr. Alex Matveev (United States)
  • Mr. Volodymyr Melnychenko, Student Member (Finland)
  • Dr. Eddah Mutua-Kombo (United States)