IU Meets Asian Alumni inThailand for Conference andReunion

Two years of work went intoplanning the Indiana Uni-versity International Alumni

Conference and Reunion that tookplace in Chiang Mai, Thailand,November 19-21, 1999. Some160 alumni from seven Asian coun-tries gathered for a three-dayprogram of workshops and discus-sions around the conference theme,Globalization: Challenges of aChanging World.

Deans and senior faculty mem-bers from professional schools onboth Bloomington and IUPUI cam-puses conducted the workshops ona range of topics. They led panel dis-cussions on such subjects as scienceand professional education in thetwenty-first century, legal systems ina time of globalization, worldwideissues in health and recreation, andachieving world-class productivity.Prominent Asian IU alumni who aredistinguished educators, corporateexecutives, and government officialsled the plenary session as well aspanel discussions on the global chal-

liThe affection of thealumni for IU under-lines one of themajor reasons whythe conferenceseemed so importantto me. II

-Kenneth R. R. Gras LouisChancellor, IU Bloomington

Governor Pravit Sihsobhon of Chiang Mai Province extends an officialgreeting to Chancellor Kenneth Gros Louis.

lenges in business, education, gov-ernment, and technology. Despite abusy schedule, there was time tolisten to updates on "what's new atIU"and time for socialiZing.

The event was jointly organizedand co-hosted by the IUAAClub ofThailand, the IU Alumni Association,the IU Foundation, and the Office ofInternational Programs. "There was auniqueness to this event," saysPatrick O'Meara, dean for Inter-national Programs. "It was the firsttime IU has done something likethis, and I don't think many otheruniversities have organized suchevents overseas."

Kenneth R. R. Gros Louis,vice president for Academic Affairsat Indiana University and chancellor

of Indiana University Bloomington,led the delegation. Professionalschool deans had planned theirannual trips overseas to coincidewith the Thailand reunion. Theywere able not only to meet theiralumni, but also to give presenta-tions, work on agreements of coop-eration with universities in theregion, and talk to prospective stu-dents who were in the process ofdeciding which university to attend.

Speaking of the conference'simpact, Gros Louis said, "The affec-tion of the alumni for IU underlinesone of the major reasons why theconference seemed so importantto me. Since alumni came fromseven different countries, they wereclearly responding to our interests

I U Meets Asian Alumni in Thailand for Conference and Reunion

Two years of work went into planning the Indiana Uni­versity International Alumni

Conference and Reunion that took place in Chiang Mai, Thailand, November 19-21, 1999. Some 160 alumni from seven Asian coun­tries gathered for a three-day program of workshops and discus­sions around the conference theme, Globalization: Challenges of a Changing World.

Deans and senior faculty mem­bers from professional schools on both Bloomington and IUPUI cam­puses conducted the workshops on a range of topics. They led panel dis­cussions on such subjects as science and professional education in the twenty-first century, legal systems in a time of globalization, worldwide issues in health and recreation, and achieving world-class productivity. Prominent Asian IU alumni who are distinguished educators, corporate executives, and government officials led the plenary session as well as panel discussions on the global chal-

"The affection of the alumni for IU under­/ i nes one of the major reasons why the conference seemed so important to me. 11

- Kenneth R. R. Gros Louis Chancellor, IU Bloomington

Governor Pravit Sihsobhon of Chiang Mai Province extends an official greeting to Chancellor Kenneth Gros Louis.

lenges in business, education, gov­ernment, and technology. Despite a busy schedule, there was time to listen to updates on "what's new at IU" and time for socializing.

The event was jointly organized and co-hosted by the IUAA Club of Thailand, the IU Alumni Association, the IU Foundation, and the Office of International Programs. "There was a uniqueness to this event," says Patrick O'Meara, dean for Inter­national Programs. "It was the first time IU has done something like this, and I don't think many other universities have organized such events overseas."

Kenneth R. R. Gros Louis , vice president for Academic Affairs at Indiana University and chancellor

of Indiana University Bloomington, led the delegation. Professional school deans had planned their annual trips overseas to coincide with the Thailand reunion. They were able not only to meet their alumni, but also to give presenta­tions, work on agreements of coop­eration with universities in the region, and talk to prospective stu­dents who were in the process of deciding which university to attend.

Speaking of the conference's impact, Gros Louis said, "The affec­tion of the alumni for IU underlines one of the major reasons why the conference seemed so important to me. Since alumni came from seven different countries, they were clearly responding to our interests

please see THAILAND, p. 2

International Programs Newsletter • March 2000 1

THAILANDfrom p. 1

in keeping them informed about IndianaUniversity.What they seemed to enjoy most, atleast in my conversations with them, was ask-ing about particular faculty members, how theywere, asking me to pass along their greetingsand good wishes, and in general reminiscingwith fondness about their experiences at ill."Aspecial moment for all was when ChancellorGros Louis greeted everyone and then read amessage from Herman B Wells, chancellor ofthe university, for whom the alumni hold greatrespect and affection.

Angela Barron McBride, dean and distin-guished professor at the ill School of Nursing,said,"1know that setting up this alumni reunionwas very time consuming, but it seems to me itis a model for what an internationally orienteduniversity should do. We are very mindful ofour national ranking, but we may forget thewonderfulness of our international connec-tions and what they can mean for our ownstudents and faculty. As a woman who has twochildren, one of whom lives in Chile and onein Hong Kong, I know that the world is gettingsmaller. An opportunity like this gives one thechance to see how important it is for IU to lookbeyond America's boundaries for all sortsof reasons, including how the connectionscan lead to very good research and edu-cational opportunities for our own studentsand faculty."

The reunion was planned to coincide withthe Thai Buddhist Loy Krathong "Festival ofLights." Chiang Mai was chosen as the site

because of its relaxed and regional appeal. Thereunion drew participants from Thailand,Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan,Japan, and South Korea, according to PamelaEddy, ill coordinator of the event. Thai illalumni involved in the planning includedAsavin Chintakananda, president of theillAA Club of Thailand and chair of the illAAThailand General Committee; BoudinTamthai, chair of the Chiang Mai PlanningCommittee; and Chawalit Putthawongs, chairof the Chiang Mai Co-hosting Committee.

The goals set for the event were not onlymet but exceeded, according to Kenneth A.Rogers, associate dean and director ofInternational Services. "We were enormouslypleased with the number of alumni who attend-ed, which far exceeded our expectations. Whatimpressed me especially was that among themwere some extraordinarily accomplished anddistinguished alumni. From beginning to end,the event was filled with memorable moments.One that many of us will never forget tookplace on a beautiful moonlit Saturday evening.At the conclusion of an exquisite program oftraditional Thai music and dance in celebration

(Left to right) Chiang Mai conference plannersAsavin Chintakananda, Pusadee Tamthai(standing), and Boudin Tamthai enjoy lunchwith IUPUl's Giles Hoyt.

of Loy Krathong presented by students ofChiang Mai University, the audience of alumniburst into a medley of ill songs including ouralma mater, 'Hail to Old ill'!"

THAILAND from p. 1

in keeping them informed about Indiana University. What they seemed to enjoy most, at least in my conversations with them, was ask­ing about particular faculty members, how they were, asking me to pass along their greetings and good wishes, and in general reminiscing with fondness about their experiences at IU." A special moment for all was when Chancellor Gros Louis greeted everyone and then read a message from Herman B Wells, chancellor of the university, for whom the alumni hold great respect and affection.

Angela Barron McBride, dean and distin­guished professor at the IU School of Nursing, said," I know that setting up this alumni reunion was very time consuming, but it seems to me it is a model for what an internationally oriented university should do. We are very mindful of our national ranking, but we may forget the wonderfulness of our international connec­tions and what they can mean for our own students and faculty. As a woman who has two children, one of whom lives in Chile and one in Hong Kong, I know that the world is getting smaller. An opportunity like this gives one the chance to see how in1portant it is for IU to look beyond America's boundaries for all sorts of reasons, including how the connections can lead to very good research and edu­cational opportunities for our own students and faculty."

The reunion was planned to coincide with the Thai Buddhist Loy Krathong "Festival of Lights." Chiang Mai was chosen as the site

2 International Programs Newsletter • March 2000

because of its relaxed and regional appeal. The reunion drew participants from Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea, according to Pamela Eddy, IU coordinator of the event. Thai IU alumni involved in the planning included Asavin Chintakananda, president of the IUAA Club of Thailand and chair of the IUAA Thailand General Committee; Boudin Tamthai, chair of the Chiang Mai Planning Committee; and Chawalit Putthawongs, chair of the Chiang Mai Co-hosting Committee.

The goals set for the event were not only met but exceeded, according to Kenneth A. Rogers , associate dean and director of International Services. "We were enormously pleased with the number of alumni who attend­ed, which far exceeded our expectations. What impressed .me especially was that among them were some extraordinarily accomplished and distinguished alumni. From beginning to end, the event was filled with memorable moments. One that many of us will never forget took place on a beautiful moonlit Saturday evening. At the conclusion of an exquisite program of traditional Thai music and dance in celebration

(Left to right) Chiang Mai conference planners Asavin Chintakananda, Pusadee Tamthai (standing), and Boudin Tamthai enjoy lunch with IUPUl's Giles Hoyt.

of Loy Krathong presented by students of Chiang Mai University, the audience of alumni burst into a medley of IU songs including our alma mater, 'Hail to Old IU'!"

please see THAILAND, p. 12

Clockwise: (7) IUAA ExecutiveDirector Jerry Tardy rallies the audience; (2)The

Chiang Mai Sports Club serves as the venue for the conference;(3) President of IUAA of Malaysia Farouk Ahmed and past president of

IUAA of Thailand Vorasak Pienchob are about to receive the IU AlumniAssociation!s Presidential Awards; (4) IUAA alumnus Amara Raksasataya and

H.E. Vichai Tunsiri! deputy minister of education of Thailand! pose at theBangkok reception with Patrick O'Meara; (5) Chiang Mai University stu-dents perform at the Loy Krathong Festival; (6) School of Science Dean

David Stocum (right) enjoys a relaxing moment with BoudinTamthai (left) and Asavin Chintakananda (center).

6

1

Clockwise: (1) /UAA Executive Director Jerry Tardy rallies the audience; (2)The

Chiang Mai Sports Club serves as the venue for the conference; (3) President of IUAA of Malaysia Farouk Ahmed and past president of IUAA of Thailand Vorasak Pienchob are about to receive the IU Alumni

Association's Presidential Awards; (4) IUAA al um nus Amara Raksasataya and H.E. Vichai Tunsir( deputy minister of education of Thailand, pose at the Bangkok reception with Patrick O'Meara; (5) Chiang Mai University stu­dents perform at the Loy Krathong Festival; (6) Schoof of Science Dean

David Stocum (right) enjoys a relaxing moment with Boudin Tamthai (left) and Asavin Chintakananda (center).

5

2

3

4

International Programs Newsletter • March 2000 3

THAILANDfrom p. 2

Chintakananda reported that the excite-ment began the minute alumni started to arrivein Chaing Mai and continued during remarksfrom Gros Louis and O'Meara and throughoutthe presentations. It reached its peak whenJerry F. Tardy, executive director of theIndiana University Alumni Association and uni-versity director of Alumni Affairs, addressed theassembly. "We could feel the room charge up.He made us all feel like we were in AssemblyHall again-only this time Coach Tardy and notCoach Knight took charge."

The keynote alumni speakers who led theplenary session were Sippanondha Ketudat,senator and chairman of the National Economicand Social Development Board of Thailand,and Farouk A. Ahmed, president of ICCConsultant Centre and president of IUAA inMalaysia.Prominent alumni who were panelistsat the conference included retired JusticeFlerida Ruth Romero of the Supreme Courtof the Philippines, and James Chung-YuanWang of Wang Film Productions, Taiwan, and a

At the official signing ceremony of the agreement between theSchools of Nursing of IU and Chulalonkorn University are (leftto right) Somkit Raksasataya, former dean; Kenneth GrosLouis; }intana Yunibhand, dean and associate professor;Angela McBride; Weerachai Singhaniyom, dean of the Facultyof Health Science, Srinakharinwirot University; and PatrickO'Meara.

member of the International Committee of theIU Foundation Board of Directors. There weremany new faces, among them Margaret Fungof Taiwan, Bipin Kamdar of Singapore,Yasuko Suzuki of Japan; some gave briefreports on behalf of their respective alumni

Participating in a panel discussion are (left toright) Yasuko Suzuki (japan), Young-PyoungKim (South Korea), Farouk Ahmed (Malaysia),Dennis Ng (Singapore), and AmaraRaksasataya (Thailand).

clubs. Dennis Ng, president of the IU AlumniAssociation in Singapore, felt that such a meet-ing should be organized on a regular basisbecause it would allow everyone who attendsto "connect again with our alma mater."He per-sonally appreciated the opportunity for some"fantastic networking."

Roger Schmenner, associate dean ofIndianapolis Programs at the Kelley School ofBusiness, said, "It was wonderful to see howinterested the alumni are in what the universi-ty is doing and how willing they are to helpus-even in ways that we probably haven't fig-ured out yet." In another vein, McBride fOlmdthe insights of nursing alumni about providingculturally sensitive health care to be particular-ly informative.

Both prior to and following the confer-ence, IU deans and other administrators trav-eled to other countries, pursuing IndianaUniversity's interests in Southeast Asia. Animportant postconference trip was to Bangkok,where the IU visitors were the guests at areception of the IUAAof Thailand attended bymore than 200 Thai alumni, including animpressive array of high-ranking Thai govern-ment officials as well as business, professional,and community leaders. The IU visitors werealso the luncheon guests of Senator Dr.Saisuree Chutikul, who earned a M.S.as wellas an Ed.D.from IU,and were able to meet TheHonorable Richard Hecklinger, the Americanambassador toThailand, at the evening reception.

THAILAND from p. 2

Chintakananda reported that the excite­ment began the minute alumni started to arrive in Chaing Mai and continued during remarks from Gros Louis and O'Meara and throughout the presentations. It reached its peak when Jerry F. Tardy, executive director of the Indiana University Alumni Association and uni­versity director of Alumni Affairs, addressed the assembly. "We could feel the room charge up. He made us all feel like we were in Assembly Hall again-only this time Coach Tardy and not Coach Knight took charge."

The keynote alumni speakers who led the plenary session were Sippanondha Ketudat, senator and chairman of the National Economic and Social Development Board of Thailand, and Farouk A. Ahmed, president of ICC Consultant Centre and president of IUAA in Malaysia. Prominent alumni who were panelists at the conference included retired Justice Flerida Ruth Romero of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, and James Chung-Yuan Wang of Wang Film Productions, Taiwan, and a

At the official signing ceremony of the agreement between the Schools of Nursing of JU and Chulalonkorn University are (left to right) Somkit Raksasataya, former dean; Kenneth Gros Louis; Jintana Yunibhand, dean and associate professor; Angela McBride; Weerachai Singhaniyom, dean of the Faculty of Health Science, Srinakharinwirot University; and Patrick O'Meara.

member of the International Committee of the IU Foundation Board of Directors. There were many new faces , among them Margaret Fung of Taiwan, Bipin Kamdar of Singapore, Yasuko Suzuki of Japan; some gave brief reports on behalf of their respective alumni

1 2 Internationa l Programs Newsletter • March 2000

Participating in a panel discussion are (left to right) Yasuko Suzuki (Japan), Young-Pyoung Kim (South KoreaYt Farouk Ahmed (Malaysia), Dennis Ng (Singapore), and Amara Raksasataya (Thailand).

clubs. Dennis Ng, president of the IU Alumni Association in Singapore, felt that such a meet­ing should be organized on a regular basis because it would allow everyone who attends to "connect again with our alma mater." He per­sonally appreciated the opportunity for some "fantastic networking."

Roger Schmenner, associate dean of Indianapolis Programs at the Kelley School of Business, said, "It was wonderful to see how interested the alumni are in what the universi­ty is doing and how willing they are to help us-even in ways that we probably haven't fig­ured out yet." In another vein, McBride found the insights of nursing alumni about providing culturally sensitive health care to be particular­ly informative.

Both prior to and following the confer­ence, IU deans and other administrators trav­eled to other countries, pursuing Indiana University's interests in Southeast Asia. An important postconference trip was to Bangkok, where the IU visitors were the guests at a reception of the IUAA of Thailand attended by more than 200 Thai alumni, including an in1pressive array of high-ranking Thai govern­ment officials as well as business, professional, and community leaders. The IU visitors were also the luncheon guests of Senator Dr. Saisuree Chutikul, who earned a M.S. as well as an Ed.D. from IU, and were able to meet The Honorable Richard Hecklinger, the American ambassador to Thailand, at the evening reception.

Another important VISIt inBangkok was to the Civil ServiceCommission (CSC), which adminis-ters the government's various schol-arship programs, the most presti-gious of which is the Kings' ScholarsProgram. The CSC also operates acenter on study abroad that advisesThai students. Deans and administra-tors met with the staff and answeredquestions about IU programs anddiscussed priorities for Thai govern-ment scholars. The second half ofthe morning was spent interviewing63 students who had been selectedfor scholarships and would be com-ing to the United States in 2000-200l.

Lawrence I. Goldblatt, dean ofthe Indiana University School ofDentistry, visited seven of Thailand'seight dental schools during his trip.IU has exchange agreements offriendship and cooperation withfive of the schools. IU faculty mem-bers present lectures and courses atthe dental schools in Thailand, andThai faculty members pursue vari-ous types of advanced training at IUAn additional agreement was signedwhile Goldblatt was in Thailand, andit is his goal to establish agreementswith the other dental schools there.

McBride formally signed anagreement with the School of Nursingat Chulalongkorn University inBangkok, one of the major universi-ties in Thailand. It calls for the uni-versities to work together partiCll-lady in the development of graduateeducation and research. She also hadpreliminary talkswith SrinakharinwirotUniversity about a possible affilia-tion with their optometry program.In Hong Kong, she made a presenta-tion at Hong Kong Polytechnic onthe development of the scholarshipof teaching and learning.

Schmenner visited the CityUniversity of Hong Kong, withwhich the Kelley School of Businesshas a couple of linkage programs,one undergraduate and one at the

IU School of Education Dean Donald Warren talks about the challengesfacing higher education.

graduate level. As part of the pro-gram, M.B.A.'s at IUPUI consultChinese businesses on the mainlandin tandem with M.B.A.'s from theCity University of Hong Kong. "Wealso have an entrepreneurshipcourse in Bloomington taught byMarc Dollinger, who is head of theundergraduate program, that involvesteams from both universities work-ing together on a project throughteleconferencing and the Internet,"he says. Schmenner also visited withthe vice rector at the NationalEconomics University in Hanoi,which is now offering an M.B.A.They took tentative first stepstoward a potential collaboration.

Giles Hoyt, associate dean forInternational Programs, began histrip in Malaysia with visits at theUniversity of Malaya and with theMalaysian -American Commissionon Educational Exchanges. Fol-lowing the Chiang Mai conferenceand meetings in Bangkok, he wentto Ho Chi Minh City,Vietnam, for aseries of meetings, including oneswith representatives from Ho ChiMinh City Open University, NationalUniversity of Vietnam, and HungYuong University.

Following the conference,Joseph Hoffmann, professor oflaw and director of InternationalPrograms for the IU School of Lawvisited several universities in SouthKorea. He also had a meeting withShin Ho Yoon and Kang Soon Lee,the parents of slain IU student Won-Joon Yoon, for whom IndianaUniversity has created a memorialscholarship.

Other IU administrators wholed workshops at the conferencewere Dean Tony Mobley of theSchool of Health, Physical Education,and Recreation, which has severallinkages in the region; Dean DavidStocum of the IUPUI School ofScience; University Dean DonaldWarren of the IUB School ofEducation, who also traveled toVietnam, Malaysia, and the Philip-pines; and Dean H. Oner Yurtsevenof the Purdue School of Engineeringand Technology at IUPUI, whovisited IUPUI's training center inMalaysia.

-Ruth AlbrightSpecial to the alP Newsletter

Another important visit in Bangkok was to the Civil Service Commission (CSC), which adminis­ters the government's various schol­arship programs, the most presti­gious of which is the Kings' Scholars Program. The CSC also operates a center on study abroad that advises Thai students. Deans and administra­tors met with the staff and answered questions about ru programs and discussed priorities for Thai govern­ment scholars. The second half of the morning was spent interviewing 63 students who had been selected for scholarships and would be com­ing to the United States in 2000-2001.

Lawrence I. Goldblatt, dean of the Indiana University School of Dentistry, visited seven of Thailand's eight dental schools during his trip. IU has exchange agreements of friendship and cooperation with five of the schools. ru faculty mem­bers present lectures and courses at the dental schools in Thailand, and Thai faculty members pursue vari­ous types of advanced training at ru. An additional agreement was signed while Goldblatt was in Thailand, and it is his goal to establish agreements with the other dental schools there.

McBride formally signed an agreement with the School of Nursing at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, one of the major universi­ties in Thailand. It calls for the uni­versities to work together particu­larly in the development of graduate education and research. She also had preliminary talks with Srinak:harinwirot University about a possible affilia­tion with their optometry program. In Hong Kong, she made a presenta­tion at Hong Kong Polytechnic on the development of the scholarship of teaching and learning.

Schmenner visited the City University of Hong Kong, with which the Kelley School of Business has a couple of linkage programs, one undergraduate and one at the

/U School of Education Dean Donald Warren talks about the challenges facing higher education.

graduate level. As part of the pro- Following the conference, gram, M.B.A.'s at IUPUI consult Joseph Hoffmann, professor of Chinese businesses on the mainland law and director of International in tandem with M.B.A.'s from the Programs for the ru School of Law City University of Hong Kong. "We visited several universities in South also have an entrepreneurship Korea. He also had a meeting with course in Bloomington taught by Shin Ho Yoon and Kang Soon Lee, Marc Dollinger, who is head of the the parents of slain ru student Won­undergraduate program, that involves Joon Yoon, for whom Indiana teams from both universities work- University has created a memorial ing together on a project through scholarship. teleconferencing and the Internet," Other ru administrators who he says. Schmenner also visited with led workshops at the conference the vice rector at the National were Dean Tony Mobley of the Economics University in Hanoi , School of Health, Physical Education, which is now offering an M.B.A. and Recreation, which has several They took tentative first steps linkages in the region; Dean David toward a potential collaboration. Stocum of the illPUI School of

Giles Hoyt, associate dean for Science; University Dean Donald International Programs, began his Warren of the IUB School of trip in Malaysia with visits at the Education, who also traveled to University of Malaya and with the Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philip-Malaysian-American Commission on Educational Exchanges. Fol­lowing the Chiang Mai conference and meetings in Bangkok, he went to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, for a series of meetings, including ones with representatives from Ho Chi Minh City Open University, National University of Vietnam, and Hung Yuong University.

pines; and Dean H. Oner Yurtseven of the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at IUPUI, who visited IUPUI's training center in Malaysia.

-Ruth Albright Special to the OIP Newsletter

International Programs Newsletter • March 2000 1 3