Computer Science Professor Recommended For Prestigious Fulbright Specialist Roster

Mehdi Mekni, Ph.D., has many years of experience in software programming and computer science – in the corporate world, as well as in research and academia. His background and expertise are getting noticed and have led him to a unique opportunity that could enable him to make a difference and expand the University’s visibility on an international level.

Coordinator of the University’s undergraduate program in computer science, Dr. Mekni has been recommended for placement on the highly competitive Fulbright Specialist Roster. During his tenure as a candidate, he is eligible to be matched with projects designed by institutions in more than 150 countries around the world – projects that would leverage candidates’ backgrounds and expertise. Because of the impact of the pandemic, candidates will serve a four-year tenure rather than a term of three years.

Though there is no guarantee that candidates will be receive a Fulbright grant or be matched with a project, Dr. Mekni has already been contacted about participating in a proposed project in Uzbekistan. The Urgench branch of the Tashkent University of Information Technologies (TUIT) hopes to establish an international collaboration with “prestigious” foreign universities – American universities, in particular – to further modernize and internationalize its programs.

If confirmed, Dr. Mekni would play a key role in facilitating this collaboration, providing a series of workshops and training on software engineering. He envisions this as an exciting opportunity to create an inter-institutional collaboration between the University and TUIT.

“I think I have a duty to be a part of the process of enhancing education and assisting other institutions and helping them move forward,” said Dr. Mekni, an associate professor of computer science and cybersecurity at the University. “I live and breathe software engineering, and they need a software project manager in order to teach teachers about software engineering and software project management – things I am passionate about.”

‘More global visibility for the University’

“Teaching teachers” is something Dr. Mekni is already doing at the University of New Haven, as he is creating the first GenCyber Teacher Academy in Connecticut. The National Security Agency and National Science Foundation-funded program, which will be offered for the first time this summer, will train high school teachers to teach and promote careers in cybersecurity.

Through the Fulbright program, Dr. Mekni hopes to create a “2+2” program that would enable students to complete the first two years of their bachelor’s degree in software engineering or computer science at TUIT and then finish their second two years at the University of New Haven, earning dual degrees from both institutions. He also hopes to create a similar “2+3” program, which would enable students to complete a third year at the University of New Haven, earning a master’s degree.

“Students would get so much value with that collaboration,” said Dr. Mekni. “I think the Fulbright program, beyond collaboration, could also be a vector for international enrollment and create much more global visibility for the University of New Haven.”

‘A win-win situation’

This is an area in which Dr. Mekni has great experience. When he was a professor of computer science and game development at the University of Minnesota, the school had a similar program with an institution in China, and, he says, it created wonderful opportunities for both institutions, as well as for the students.

“This gave us a steady pipeline of 50 students a year coming from China,” he explains. “That, from a program coordination point of view, is outstanding.”

In order to ensure a seamless transition for students, Dr. Mekni would collaborate with educators at TUIT to coordinate what students would learn. They would collaborate to create the 2+2 and 2+3 programs so that what students learn in Uzbekistan is aligned with what they will learn in Connecticut.

“It would be a fantastic opportunity for students from Uzbekistan to come to the U.S. to be taught by a faculty member coming here,” said Dr. Mekni. “It would be a two-way collaboration, a win-win situation. Their students definitely would gain tremendous experience interacting with our students. For the University of New Haven, it would present a wonderful opportunity to recruit, build ties on the international level, and position the University more globally, and for our program to be recognized for the value it deserves.”

‘An ambassador for the University’

The Fulbright Specialist Roster, a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and World Learning (an international nonprofit organization), offers academics and professionals in the U.S. opportunities to take part in project-based exchanges at host institutions around the world. It connects professionals and institutions on projects in two dozen disciplines and focus areas.

Though travel was suspended during the pandemic, it is now restarting on a country-by-country basis. Dr. Mekni’s tenure, which began earlier this year, will continue through February 2026.

If he is selected for this project and does go to Uzbekistan, Dr. Mekni would plan to go after the Spring 2022 semester ends and before the GenCyber Teacher Academy begins. He is excited about this opportunity to create year-round educational opportunities for students at two institutions.

“I want to go to Uzbekistan not only as a coordinator of computer science, but as an ambassador for the University of New Haven,” he said. “My vision is to bring value to the University. This is a wonderful opportunity.”