Global Health Symposium to Launch International Education Week 2017
Later this semester, Kent State University will celebrate the 18th annual International Education Week (IEW) during the week of November 13. As in past years, the week-long celebration will feature numerous internationally-oriented events, including lectures, presentations, exhibits and special events hosted by student groups, academic departments and campus offices, as well as individual faculty members.
This year’s International Education Week will get underway beginning with a Global Health Symposium hosted by the university’s College of Public Health on Friday, Nov. 3, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. in 143 Lowry Hall. Entitled “Global Health Is Local Health: Journey From Northeast Ohio Through Europe To The Brazilian Amazon,” the symposium will feature three renowned keynote speakers, each with extensive personal experience with current issues in global health ranging from identifying new strains of bacteria to identifying bio-threats for the Department of Defense and researching infectious diseases:
- Tara C. Smith, Ph.D., Professor of Epidemiology, Kent State University
- Koya C. Allen, MSPH, MS, Ph.D., Infectious Disease Subject Matter Expert, U.S. Department of Defense
- Marcus Lacerda, MD, Ph.D., Director of Research, Tropical Medicine Foundation Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado (FMT-HVD)
“We are privileged to have these prominent global health scientists inaugurate International Education Week,” states Mark James, Ph.D., professor and dean for diversity and global health in Kent State's College of Public Health. “'Global Health is Local Health’ is a theme that is relevant to the entire Kent State community regardless of the country of origin.”
All students, faculty and staff are welcome to attend this insightful and thought-provoking event. A reception will follow. To attend, please RSVP to Karen Baker at kbaker80@kent.edu.
For a complete list of upcoming events, explore the IEW2017 events calendar
International Education Week was created in 2000 as a joint initiative of the U.S. Departments of State and Education and is now celebrated in more than 100 countries worldwide. The objective of International Education Week is to promote educational programs that prepare Americans, as well as international students, to succeed in a world that is becoming increasingly globalized. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs describes International Education Week as “an opportunity to celebrate diversity and the many opportunities and benefits of international education and exchange worldwide.” International Education Week also encourages the active participation of all individuals and institutions interested in international education and exchange programs.
“International Education Week reminds us of the global aspect of our university’s strategic vision, and helps facilitate our understanding of other people, places and political systems,” says Kent State's Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Todd Diacon.
“In today’s world, what happens in Rio de Janeiro, Jeddah and Jakarta can have an immediate impact on our lives just as much as events and trends in nearby Cleveland, Toledo and Cincinnati.”
International Education Week is important to the Kent State community because it showcases the diverse population that now lives, works and studies within the Kent State campus system. As a welcoming and inclusive institution, Kent State University has always taken great pride in its international students and its overall international presence. Currently, international students account for nearly 10% of the Kent campus student population. International Education Week also serves to encourage American students to study abroad where they can more easily expand their awareness and appreciation of the vast cultural diversity in the world around them.
“With more than 2,000 students enrolled from outside the United States and almost 1,200 students who studied abroad last year, International Education Week is a time for the campus community to come together to embrace and appreciate our global diversity,” observes Marcello Fantoni, Ph.D., associate provost in Kent State's Office of Global Education.
“Together, everyone’s participation (in International Education Week) will foster more diversity as well as a greater cultural understanding. Together, we can achieve a shared global learning experience across our entire campus.”
Individuals and groups planning or considering activities for International Education Week are encouraged to coordinate their efforts with the Office of Global Education by registering their event online:
IEW2017 Event Registration