Belinda Ong to receive international educator community volunteer award

The Association of International Educators recently honored University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAHuntsville) reference librarian Dr. Belinda Ong with the community volunteer award.

Don Palmer, president of the International Society of Huntsville (ISH) Inc., made the award announcement. Ong is a key charter member of ISH and serves as vice president. The organization was formed in 2007 with the mission to bring diverse international citizens together for social interaction and cultural awareness in the Huntsville area. Ong has successfully organized events that help bring the community together in promoting diversity and intercultural goodwill.

"Volunteering is a way to give back to the community where we live," Ong said. "I have volunteered in many international projects because I think it is important to promote awareness of the community's international diversity and to foster global understanding that contribute to tolerance, new ideas and prosperity."

Ong has been employed at UAHuntsville for nine years in the M. Louis Salmon Library. She specializes in science and nursing subjects and provides orientation to library research and guidance for student projects. She has extensive experience initiating and implementing educational programs that help promote diversity on campus. Ong also serves as the university's Turnitin administrator. Turnitin is the university's web-based plagiarism detection software service.

Community and campus events Ong has successfully organized or served as a contributor include Panoply Global Village (chairperson of the

since 2006); International Services Council of Alabama events; International Education Week 2010; International Women's Day 2011; Create Huntsville and National Library Week.

Future community projects for Ong include working with the International Community Steering Group with the mission to unite the diverse international organizations in North Alabama to form one common unit working together to encourage dialogue among multi-cultural groups. Ong said the goal is to bring new ideas, excitement and prosperity through collaboration and unity. "I will also continue to look for needs at UAHuntsville and develop international programs that will be beneficial for our students."

For more information:
Joyce Anderson Maples
256.824.2101
maplesj@uah.edu