Student Represents Maui at Scholar Laureate Program in China

Austin Van Heusen, a junior and honors student at University of Hawai‘i Maui College, will represent Maui County at the International Scholar Laureate Program Delegation on Engineering & Technology in Beijing and Shanghai, China, from May 27 to June 9.

By Maui Now Staff

A junior honors student at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College will represent Maui County at the International Scholar Laureate Program Delegation on Engineering & Technology in China this week.

Austin Van Heusen is the first student from Maui to be nominated and accepted into the rigorous engineering program.

The international program combines career-focused site visits with unique cultural exchanges, lectures and discussions.

It also gives attendees special access to engineering marvels, and group discussion with top engineers and government officials.

For the past 25 years, the ISLP program has nominated exceptional college and university students worldwide to participate in experiential educational programs that encourage participants to achieve more in their lives and careers.

“I never thought I’d ever get a chance to go to China, but this opportunity to travel to some of the most amazing engineering projects the world has ever seen with peers and educators is something I can’t pass up,” said Van Heusen in a press release. “I never thought I would have an opportunity like this; to travel to some of the wonders of the world and have total access to them,” he said.

Maui Smart Grid Energy Audit Training Coordinator Melanie Stephens, with UHMC’s Sustainable Living Institute of Maui also commented, “Austin combines a wonderful mix of curiosity, accountability, desire to excel, readiness to take on more and wide-ranging intelligence … I feel sure he will use this upcoming trip to China and bring back nuggets of information and experience that are relevant for Maui. He’s earned this trip.”

The program runs from May 27 to June 9 in Beijing and Shanghai, China.