International Education Week speakers, performances, presentations to highlight the importance of a global education

Ohio University will celebrate International Education Week (IEW) 2017 on Nov. 13-17 with a lecture from a best-selling author, a Thai theater performance, a symposium featuring international experts including the president of Leipzig University, and a wide range of events focused on the importance of a global education.

This year’s keynote speech, “The Geography of Genius: How Place Shapes and Defines Us,” will be delivered by Eric Weiner, author of The New York Times best-seller “The Geography of Bliss,” as well as two other popular books, “The Geography of Genius” and “Man Seeks God.”

A longtime foreign correspondent for National Public Radio, Weiner reported from more than 30 nations, covering some of the major international events of recent years. The award-winning journalist writes a regular column for BBC Travel, and his work also appears in The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post and other publications. 

The keynote speech will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16, in the Baker University Center Ballroom. The event is free and open to the public, and all students, faculty, staff and area residents are encouraged to attend this entertaining and insightful presentation.

The IEW events for the week will kick off on Monday, Nov. 13, with the Office of Global Affairs Photo Contest at 10 a.m. in the Front Room in Baker University Center. Free coffee and pastries will be available, and those in attendance will be able to enjoy viewing the winners of this year’s photo contest. The photos will remain on display in the Front Room throughout the end of the fall semester.

The Tuesday, Nov. 14 events will include:

• The Global Health Case Competition– Beginning at 8:30 a.m. in Grover Center, the six finalist teams in the Global Health Case Competition will give their 15-minute presentations and will then answer questions for five minutes. 
• The Eco Case Competition and Speakers Event – This event, which will begin at 6 p.m. in Nelson Commons, will honor the finalists of the Eco Case Competition. The top teams will be awarded based on merit of the solution and real-life applicability.
• The “Oh, The Places You’ll Go, Make the Best Experience of Your Life in Study Away,” event – This celebration of the Department of Modern Language study away programs will feature student roundtable discussions, presentations and a photography exhibit, and it all begins at 7 p.m. in Gordy Hall.
• The Thai Performance by the Moradok Mai Community Theatre Troupe – Beginning at 7 p.m. in Glidden Hall, the Moradok Mai Community Theatre Troupe will perform the play “A Journey Back Home to Follow in His Majesty’s Footsteps.”

The Wednesday, Nov. 15 events will include:

• Instructional Innovation and Globalizing the Curriculum at OHIO – This event will showcase the work faculty and staff have done to globalize the curriculum on the Athens and regional campuses. The participants will be invited to ask questions and share their experiences in instructional innovation. The event will run from 1:30 to 4 p.m. in the Baker University Center Multicultural Center Multipurpose Room
• The Global Engagement Awards Gala – The awards recognize faculty, staff and alumni for their outstanding contributions to international education, global competency, cultural understanding and/or international programs. The Global Health Case Competitions winners are also announced at the event, which will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Baker University Center Ballroom. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP.

On Thursday, Nov. 16, the two-day OHIO-Leipzig Symposium will begin. The symposium is being held as part of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the partnership between Ohio University and Leipzig University. The symposium events, which are open to the public, will look at the past and future of the partnership. The day’s events will include:

• A Welcome Reception for the Leipzig delegation from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Baker University Center Multicultural Center Multipurpose Room. 
• A Keynote Luncheon featuring Dr. Andreas Strohl, director of the Goethe-Institute Washington, will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the Baker University Center Ballroom. RSVPs for the lunch are requested.
• An OHIO-Leipzig panel discussion that will examine the strategies for profiling the value and impact of U.S.-German partnerships for research and innovation. The panel discussion will begin at 3:30 p.m. in the Baker University Center Multicultural Center Multipurpose Room.
• The IEW Keynote Speech will begin at 7 p.m. in the Baker University Center Ballroom.

On Friday, Nov. 17, the OHIO-Leipzig Symposium will conclude and the Center for International Studies will host an Alumni Forum. 

• The Keynote Breakfast for the OHIO-Leipzig Symposium will begin at 8 a.m. in Nelson Commons and will feature OHIO Fine Arts Professor John Sabraw discussing “Synergy of Curiosity.”
• At noon, the Center for International Studies will present an Alumni Panel and Reception in celebration of IEW. This event, which will be held in the Baker University Center Ballroom, is part of the Global Professional Development Series.

All events are open to the public, although RSVPs are requested for events such as the Global Engagement Awards Gala so that the organizers can plan accordingly. For additional information on all of these events, including RSVP information, please call the Office of Global Affairs at 740-593-1804, visit the IEW website or visit the OHIO-Leipzig Symposium website. 

undefinedThis article was provided by the Office of Global Affairs and International Studies.