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International flag procession planned for Global University Convocation
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - A procession of more than 120 flags representing Purdue's international reach will provide a colorful kickoff to the Global University Convocation in conjunction with the university's presidential inauguration next month.
The Global University Convocation is scheduled for 2:30-4:30 p.m. April 10 in Stewart Center's Loeb Playhouse. Purdue alumnus Brian Lamb, C-SPAN's president and chief executive officer, will serve as the convocation's moderator. The convocation, part of the Discovery Lecture Series, is funded in part by the Lilly Endowment Inc.
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The inauguration of Purdue President France A. Córdova begins at 2 p.m. April 11 in Elliott Hall of Music.
"Thanks to Purdue's growing reputation, we continue to be the choice of students from across the globe seeking a quality education and research opportunities to further their dreams," said event co-chair Beverly Davenport Sypher, associate provost for special initiatives at Purdue. "What better way to highlight our diverse academic environment than with a procession of flags from 120 countries representing the global footprint Purdue has created."
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Eight higher education leaders from around the world will participate in the convocation, taking part in a discussion of the characteristics of global universities. The event is open to the public, and no admission tickets are required.
The panelists are:
* Jorge Allende, vice president for research and development, University of Chile.
* Robert Berdahl, president of the Association of American Universities.
* Gebisa Ejeta, Distinguished Professor of Plant Breeding and Genetics and International Agriculture at Purdue.
* Nina V. Fedoroff, science and technology adviser to the U.S. Secretary of State.
* Leah Jamieson, the John A. Edwardson Dean of Engineering at Purdue and the Ransburg Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
* Renu Khator, president of the University of Houston and chancellor of the University of Houston system. Khator received her master's and doctoral degrees in political science from Purdue and is a scholar in global environmental policy.
* Maurilio Alves Moreira, dean of research and graduate studies, Federal University of Vicosa, Brazil.
* Sigmar Wittig, rector emeritus, University of Karlsruhe; chair emeritus, European Space Agency and professor of turbomachinery, University of Karlsruhe, Germany.
In a report issued by the Institute of International Education in November, Purdue ranked second nationally among public U.S. institutions in international enrollment for the 2006-07 academic year.
Purdue had 4,994 international students from 123 countries enrolled during the fall 2007 semester, second highest among public U.S. institutions. Among all public and private universities, University of Southern California was No. 1 with 7,000 international students. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was first among U.S. public institutions.
Students from India comprised the highest number of international students attending Purdue for the sixth consecutive year, followed by South Korea and China. Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, Canada, Pakistan and Japan rounded out the top 10.
Through its Asian Initiative program, Purdue also has formed research and student exchange partnerships with academic institutions, government agencies and leading industries in India, China, South Korea and other countries. Those collaborations focus on global issues such as the environment, nanotechnology, life sciences, manufacturing, health-care delivery, alternative energy, cancer diagnostics and treatment, pharmacy, and entrepreneurship.
"Purdue must serve as a central point for global innovation and collaboration," said Sypher, who also is the Susan Bulkeley Butler Chair of the Susan Bulkeley Butler Center for Leadership Excellence, an affiliate of the Discovery Learning Center in Purdue's Discovery Park. "We have the opportunity as never before to link our business enterprises to a worldwide network of partners to ensure that our students have global credentials."
Writer: Phillip Fiorini, (765) 496-3133, pfiorini@purdue.edu
Sources:Beverly Davenport Sypher, (765) 494-9709, bdsypher@purdue.edu
Joseph L. Bennett, vice president for university relations, (765) 494-2082, jlbennett@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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