Dear all, 

Autumn is underway and we are delighted by the return of fall colors and cooler temperatures. For International Programs, this time of year has featured many visits by some of our most valued partners. From September 7-8, International Programs (IP), in collaboration with the UI Center for Human Rights; the UI College of Law; and the Division of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, hosted a lecture entitled, “International Human Rights in Artsakh: From Evidence to Persecution.” Our guest speakers were Judge Gassia Apkarian and Arsiné Grigoryan from the Center for Truth and Justice, based in Los Angeles. The lecture brought to light the suffering of Armenians in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, also known as Artsakh. Azerbaijan has occupied Artsakh since February 2022, and just last week seized complete control of the entire region. The human rights abuses in Nagorno-Karabakh have largely escaped world attention, and our goal in helping organize the event was to raise awareness around the critical nature of this issue. Our plan is to continue collaborating with the Center for Truth and Justice and to keep our community updated on this tragic situation. 

Directly after the visit from Judge Apkarian and Ms. Grigoryan, we were pleased to receive Dr. Nada Melhem, director of the Division of Health Professions at the American University of Beirut (AUB). Sponsored by one of IP’s Major Projects Award, Dr. Melhem gave a series of lectures entitled “Building Multidisciplinary Global Health Collaborations.” Iowa’s sustained work with AUB is one the bright spots of the pandemic. In addition to Dr. Melhem, the partnership owes its success to Professor Rima Afifi of the College of Public Health, as well as Dr. Claudia Corwin, director of our Iowa Global Health Network. During COVID-19, these colleagues worked tirelessly to build partnerships online. The results culminated in new research initiatives in both the Carver College of Medicine and the College of Public Health. Much of the work deals with addressing health inequities as well as finding ways to combat misinformation around public health issues. Dr. Melhem also gave a lecture organized by the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council and toured the State Hygienics Laboratory. Her stay even featured a screening at FilmScene on the effects of development and climate change in Lebanon. We are grateful to Dr. Melhem, Professor Afifi, and Dr. Corwin for extending and deepening this important partnership in the Middle East. 

We express additional gratitude to Dr. Corwin for collaborating with the University of Iowa Labor Center to invite the author Saket Soni to campus on September 19. Mr. Soni has been at the forefront of advocacy efforts for migrant workers brought to the U.S. to rebuild after climate disasters. Mr. Soni read from his current book at Prairie Lights, and the event was very well attended. 

The week of Mr. Soni’s reading also saw the visit of Dr. Anant Chakradeo, pro-vice chancellor of MIT Art and Design Technology University (ADT) in Pune, India. Dr. Anant last visited the university on March 12, 2020. Lockdown started the day after, and he rushed to New York to take the last plane from the U.S. to Mumbai. Fortunately, he returned home safely, and we continued collaborations virtually until his arrival on September 17. The partnership with MIT-ADT Pune is especially significant because it extends to both the UI College of Engineering and the UI School of Art and Art History. Dr. Anant met with faculty and graduate students from both units, as well as faculty from our South Asian Studies Program, an International Programs affinity group. Plans are underway to promote joint research projects with faculty and students at both institutions. Higher education in India is thriving at the moment, and Iowa needs to develop collaborations such as these to provide greater opportunities for our students and faculty. 

That so many colleagues take the time and effort to visit us is testimony to Iowa’s standing in the world as a leader in global education. We are privileged to host these distinguished partners and are committed to seeing them thrive to our mutual benefit. Next month will focus more on outbound activities, but for now, we take pride in our success in bringing the world to Iowa. 

With all best wishes, 

Russ 

International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement.  IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.