IOWA CITY, Iowa ÷ A record number of University of Iowa faculty and students were awarded prestigious Fulbright fellowships for the 2002-03 academic year to research subjects ranging from Slovene poetry to French cinema.

Eight UI students and three faculty received fellowships through the Fulbright Scholar Program, which aims to build mutual understanding among the United States and other countries. Ordinarily, three to five UI students are awarded fellowships, said Elizabeth Constantine, the UI Fulbright program adviser.

The number of national awards reflects an overall growth in the university's International Programs, which oversees the application process, she said.

"[The increase] shows we're producing high-quality students," Constantine said. "Our students can compete nationally."