Luna Magpili initially had reservations about applying for the Fulbright Program in Cameroon.
After all, the position required teaching in French, a language with which she was not familiar. However, Magpili associate professor and director of Washington State University’s Engineering and Technology Management Program, was encouraged to move forward with her application and was selected to teach three six-week courses at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Travaux Publics (ENSTP).
The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to build lasting connections between the people of the United States and other countries. The program sought an educator with a robust background in engineering management, international project experience, and the flexibility to travel on short notice. Magpili’s expertise in these areas aligned with the needs of her students, who were eager to acquire managerial skills often absent from their technical training.
“While engineering programs impart essential technical knowledge, they frequently overlook critical skills in project leadership, operations management, and technological innovation,” she said. “This course was designed to bridge that gap by equipping students with the tools to lead projects effectively and manage diverse teams.”
While engineering programs impart essential technical knowledge, they frequently overlook critical skills in project leadership, operations management, and technological innovation. This course was designed to bridge that gap…
Luna Magpili, associate professor and director
WSU’s Engineering and Technology Management Program
In the classroom, Magpili’s English-speaking students assisted with translating course materials, facilitating discussions, and interpreting oral reports, ensuring that language barriers did not impede the learning process. Throughout the experience, she gained a petite understanding of French, with her favorite expression becoming “Très bien,” which she frequently used to commend her students’ impressive responses and discussions in class.
At ENSTP, Magpili delivered a comprehensive curriculum covering supply chain management, project management, and digital e-governance, tailored specifically to engineering professionals in leadership and managerial roles. She and her students explored key topics such as the theory of constraints, network modeling and optimization, critical chain, and digital governance.
Her favorite time is the case studies portion of the class in which students shared real-world experiences of the topics in the Cameroonian context such as the Nyong Bridge disaster and its current construction challenges.
She also introduced the Canvas learning management system to both students and faculty, who quickly appreciated the technology’s convenience — provided there was a stable internet connection, which posed a challenge many times. This experience ultimately spurred ENSTP’s decision to prioritize investment in enhanced internet infrastructure, ensuring that faculty, staff, and students will have greater access to digital resources.
A key aspect of Magpili’s experience in Cameroon was her commitment to fostering gender diversity within the field of engineering management.
It was by chance that she was present during the International Women’s Day event, a major celebration in the capital, featuring a vibrant parade of women from various industries, nonprofit organizations, and government sectors. She proudly walked alongside representatives from the United States Embassy.
However, of the 40 students in the program, only one was female.
“There is an urgent need to encourage greater female participation in these programs,” she said. “The field stands to benefit immeasurably from a broader and more inclusive perspective.”
She was fortunate to be able to relay this message during a meeting with the Cameroonian Minister of Public Works.
Reflecting on her time in Cameroon, Magpili found the experience particularly rewarding due to the opportunity to teach in a traditional, in-person classroom — a rarity in her usual remote teaching environment. Looking ahead, she is eager to expand the reach of her course to other countries and to continue promoting international educational exchange. She is also a passionate advocate for encouraging U.S. students to seek global learning experiences.
“Immersing oneself in different cultures offers a unique and invaluable perspective, not only through interactions with new people but also through exposure to innovative ideas and diverse ways of thinking,” she said.
