Oct. 24, 1997 Contact John R. Crosiar (541) 346-3135 EUGENE--Greg Ringer, already a busy world traveler, is heading back to Uganda in November as the recipient of a 1997-98 Fulbright grant. An adjunct assistant professor of tourism at the University of Oregon's Center for Asian and Pacific Studies, Ringer will spend the next seven months lecturing on biodiversity and ecotourism in the departments of forestry and geography at Makerere University in the east African nation. Ringer is among 1,600 U.S. grantees who will travel abroad for the 1997-98 academic year under the Fulbright Program. He joins the ranks of 136 other UO professors who have received the prestigious award for study abroad at least once--19 since 1992-93. Highly sought-after and financially attractive, the awards pay all expenses of recipients for the duration of the grant. Fulbright scholars also receive a small stipend, the amount of which depends on the host country and its respective cost of living. Ringer received a Ph.D. in geography from the University of Oregon in 1993. He specializes in sustainable ecotourism and cultural landscapes of tourism. Just returned from Bolivia and from a one-month stay in Uganda, Ringer previously worked in Uganda in 1996. While there, he conducted research connecting ecotourism in Eastern Africa at the Alto Madidi National Park and Reserve with similar tourism activities in the Amazon. He has written many articles on tourism and protected areas. Most recently, Ringer published "Destinations," an edited manuscript that bridges the traditional research of tourism scholars and geographers. Ringer also volunteers his time and expertise each year to collaborate with indigenous people and graduate students in developing low-impact, ecotourism projects in Africa, Alaska, Latin America, Micronesia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. The Fulbright grant program was established in 1946 under legislation introduced by former U.S. Sen. J. William Fulbright of Arkansas. Involving U.S. students, teachers and scholars as well as foreign residents, the educational and cultural exchange program is designed "to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries." Recipients are selected for their academic and professional qualifications, as well as for their ability and willingness to share ideas and experiences with people of diverse cultures. Fellowships are awarded through an open competition administered by the U.S. Information Agency, and more than 40 foreign governments share in the funding of these international exchanges. -30- #G-2095/Local/eb