IFP Newsmakers

Since 1978, the International Fellowship Programs office of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs has proudly hosted over 480 professionals and scholars from more than 100 different countries. Our esteemed alumni are committed to public service and they continue to make an impact as global leaders.

We offer our sincere congratulations to our 2009 – 2010 Humphrey Fellows from India, Mr. Amit Garg, on his recent promotion as the new Commissioner of Police, Vijayawada City. Prior to his recent posting, Mr. Garg was the joint commissioner of police, special branch, of the Indian Police Service in Hyderabad, where he handled matters related to foreign registration and intelligence on organized crime. He also had a stint in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and was posted in the city of Kolkata. During his fellowship year at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, Mr. Garg focused on law enforcement with particular attention to human trafficking and organized crime, trafficking victim and witness protection programs, victim rescue and rehabilitation, and interactions with NGOs. As part of his professional affiliation, he worked very closely with the Saint Paul Police Department.

Ms. Rosana D.H. Schaack, Humphrey Fellow (2008 – 2009), from Liberia is one of the proud recipients of the 2010 Distinguished Leadership Award for Internationals (DLAI). During her fellowship year, Ms. Schaack focused on human resource management and child protection policy. She completed her professional affiliation with the Hennepin County’s Child Protection Services locally and went on to do her non-local affiliation with Alternatives to Family Violence in Commerce City, Co. The Office of International Programs presents this award to leaders with demonstrated commitment to public service. For more Information on Ms. Schaack and the DLAI award please visit the Office of International Programs website: http://www.international.umn.edu/awards/leader/index.php

Our 2008 - 2009 Humphrey Fellow from Tunisia, Anouar Ben Khelifa, was recently appointed as a member of the National Committee convened to investigate the affairs of corruption from the leaders of the former regime. During his fellowship year at the Humphrey School, Mr. Ben Khelifa focused on leadership development, public policy assessment, program evaluation, accountability, and public transparency.

Mr. Marc Amblard, our Liberian - U.S. Ambassador's Fellow, 2008 - 2009, was appointed as the Inspector General of the Liberia National Police (LNP). During his fellowship at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at University of Minnesota, Mr. Amblard completed his Professional Affiliation with the Brooklyn Park Police Department (BPPD) where he studied processes and methods of policing and law enforcement in the United States. Minnesota is home to the largest number of immigrant Liberians in the United States; over 22,000 Liberians are settled and thriving in the City of Brooklyn Park. The partnership with the BPPD and Mr. Amblard was a win-win for both. This yearlong partnership created a long lasting relationship fostered on shared knowledge and expertise for mutual gain.
His partnership with BPPD permitted the new Inspector General of LNP to acquire several training including Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Tactical Leadership, Use of Refresher Training, Crime Prevention, Community Policing, Basic and Advanced Handgun Rifle Training, and Transformative Justice. This Liberian-US Scholar Fellowship has provided Mr. Amblard the opportunity to gain several operational trainings that will provide core competency in his new leadership role.

Ms. Meeran Borwankar, a 2001-2002 Humphrey Fellow and a recipient of the 2008 Distinguished Leadership Award for Internationals was awarded the President of India Police Medal for Distinguished Service, the highest award a police officer can receive in India. Ms. Borwankar works in a predominantly male-dominated field and young women in Maharashtra, and elsewhere in the country, look to her as a role model. She is currently the inspector general of police in the Crime Investigation Department. In this position she is the primary officer in the State of Maharashtra for initiating and monitoring action against the trafficking of women and children. She has been actively involved in issues that relate to the rights of women and children.