By Neil Nachbar

The URI International Engineering Program (IEP) showed its support for language education at the Rhode Island State House during the 4th Annual Multilingual Education Advocacy Day.

IEP students Alek Boving and Sara Hamada Mohamed spoke at the event’s televised press conference about why multilingual education is important in general and to them personally.

“By sharing their perspectives with legislators, organizations and community members, they demonstrated a great willingness to help build understanding for multilingual learners like themselves,” said Melissa Schenck, IEP coordinator.

Boving is a German IEP and ocean engineering student who will graduate in 2023. Hamada Mohamed will graduate in 2024 with dual degrees in Spanish and biomedical engineering.

Multilingual Education Advocacy Day is an initiative of the Coalition for a Multilingual Rhode Island.