Global collaboration showcased at Asian Forum

Graphic depicting a map of Asia.
Register online for the forum.

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University's annual Asian Forum, an international conference that will bring together more than two dozen leading scholars and educators from WMU and Asian countries such as China, Vietnam and Malaysia, is set for Monday, March 28, in the Fetzer Center.

The forum showcases collaborative research and teaching projects underway between WMU employees and students, and their counterparts at WMU's international partners throughout Asia. It is an opportunity for education professionals to exchange ideas addressing contemporary challenges facing Asia and the world, and to explore ways to expand and strengthen ties in education and research programs.

Public activities take place March 28 and include paper presentations, panel discussions and workshops. March 29, the scholars and leading administrators attending from Asia will meet with WMU faculty members and officials who are interested in expanding their global outreach.

Monday will start with registration from 8:30 to 9 a.m. followed by welcoming remarks from Dr. Wolfgang Schlör, associate provost of WMU's Haenicke Institute for Global Education.

During lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m., Dr. Graeme Wilknson, vice chancellor of Sunway University in Malaysia, will present a keynote address as well as answer questions. Luncheon activities will also include a presidential forum, during which John M. Dunn, president of WMU; Nguyen Manh Hung, president of Nguyen Tat Thanh University; and Decheng Yuan, vice president of Shenyang University of Chemical Technology; will discuss important issues in global higher education.

The Asian Forum is being sponsored by the WMU's Haenicke Institute, Confucius Institute at WMU, Soga Japan Center and Timothy Light Center for Chinese Studies. This year, it is being facilitated by Dr. Ying Zeng, assistant to the associate provost on Asia in the Haenicke Institute.

For more information, visit wmich.edu/international/asianforum or contact Zeng at ying.zeng@wmich.edu or (269) 387-3840.

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