The founder of the United Nations Association of Mongolia spent a month this spring in Blacksburg, learning about Virginia Tech but also sharing ways that the university can work with her country.

The Virginia Tech Institute for Policy and Governance hosted E.Khishigjargal, who also is a fellow for the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations.

E.Khishigjargal’s trip was supported by the U.S. Department of State Professional Fellows Program. It’s a global exchange program designed to offer accepted applicants personalized professional development experiences in nonprofit organizations, private sector business, and government offices across country. Enkhbayar, who is a youth development and civil society specialist, was one of 150 fellows from 70 countries visiting locations throughout the United States.

Following her time at Virginia Tech, E.Khishigjargal participated in a weeklong Professional Fellows Congress in Washington, D.C., with other individuals in the program. They compared their experiences and shared what they learned.

E.Khishigjargal plans to work on an NGO handbook for civil society professionals that addresses governance and management challenges, practices, and resource acquisition strategies.

Institute Director Max Stephenson Jr. or Moore hope to travel to Mongolia later this year for a reciprocating visit to continue to assist E.Khishigjargal as she seeks to support civil society organizations with that project and others in her nation. Tentative plans for that trip include an event for members of the United Nations Association of Mongolia to support a soft launch of the program by sharing the handbook with leaders of other Mongolian NGOs.