International Week celebrates
diversity among NIU community

NIU is preparing for the fifth annual International Week, held Nov. 17-21.

The week will feature an array of activities designed to enhance awareness and appreciation of the diverse cultures represented within the NIU and DeKalb communities and to provide greater awareness of international education programs at NIU.

All events are free and open to the public.

“This year, for the first time, we have scheduled International Week at NIU to coincide with the national celebration of International Education Week, co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education,” said Deborah Pierce, executive director of NIU’s Division of International Programs.

“These federal agencies recognize the strategic national importance of encouraging students and faculty to cross borders in both directions, so that U.S. security can be enhanced through greater understanding among people of different nationalities, religions and ethnic groups. Through international education, we create ambassadors.”

Major events scheduled for International Week include a panel discussion among faculty who received the Lillian Cobb Travel Grant this past year. The panel discussion will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, in the Sky Room of the Holmes Student Center. The discussion topic is “Bringing Your International Experiences into the Classroom.”

Later that same day, William Schiller, a Chicago attorney who specializes in international law, will discuss “Employment Options for Non-Citizens Beyond F-1.” His lecture will begin at 3 p.m. in Room 405 of Holmes Student Center.

The annual International Recognition Reception will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, in the Sky Room of the Holmes Student Center.

The reception honors NIU faculty and students whose work has promoted international and cross-border understanding. At the International Recognition Reception, the Outstanding International Educator Award will be presented to an NIU faculty member who has contributed significantly to international education through his or her teaching, research, public service and student service.

The Center for Southeast Asian Studies Brown Bag Lecture Series will host a lecture by Professor Tayudin Osman at noon Friday, Nov. 21, in Room 110 of the Campus Life Building. Professor Osman, a faculty member with the College of Islamic Studies at Prince of Songkla University, will lecture on the topic, “Islamic Education in Southern Thailand.”

Other International Week activities include an international film series sponsored by the Division of International Programs and University Programming and Activities, library displays at NIU’s Founders Memorial Library and the DeKalb Public Library, international menus featured at the Holmes Student Center and residence halls, and bulletin board displays with an international theme in the residence halls.

For more information on the events, contact International Programs at 753-9526 or visit http://www3.niu.edu/intl_prgms/intweek.htm.

11-10-03