Provost's Global Forum 2027
Tuesday, April 6, 2027 - Friday, April 9, 2027
This event is made possible through the generous support and financial contributions from the Stanley-University of Iowa Foundation Support Organization, UI International Programs, UI Tippie College of Business, and the Institute for International Business.
In recent years, the University of Iowa (UI) has strengthened and expanded its partnerships across the African continent. These partnerships aim to promote experiential learning opportunities for students and faculty, foster research collaboration, and increase international student enrollment. The Provost’s Global Forum - African Higher Education Leaders Symposium: Advancing Global Education through strategic partnerships - will bring together colleagues from around campus and around the world, along with other invited African higher education leaders, for a 3-day symposium focused on advancing global education through strategic university partnerships.
The Forum will feature three days of sessions, including two master classes on AI-related topics and leadership, two panel discussions on international student mobility and shared priority areas of collaboration between the University of Iowa and African partner universities, and the 2027 Joel Barkan Memorial Lecture, presented by Funmi Olonisakin, vice president of international, engagement & service and professor of security, leadership & development at King’s College London.
Schedule of Events
Schedule to be released in late fall 2026.
Speaker Biographies
Speaker bios to be added by late fall 2026.
Travel & Parking
University Capitol Centre
The University Capitol Centre (UCC) sits on the corner of Burlington and Clinton Streets and is connected to the Capitol Street parking ramp. Linked is a map of campus.
Parking – The Capitol Street parking ramp is located at 220 S. Capitol Street, with entrances on both Capitol Street and Clinton Street. Parking is $2/hour and the first hour is free. The parking ramp is within walking distance of the Conference Center.
UCC Conference Center - room 2520 – The Conference Center is located on the second floor of the UCC, in the middle of the building.
If parking in the Capitol Street parking ramp, enter the UCC building and make your way to the second floor. An elevator and escalator are located next to CVS. Once on the second floor, walk to the north, away from the parking ramp. The UCC Conference Center is in the middle of the building on your left.
Pappajohn Business Building
The Pappajohn Business Building (PBB) is located at 21 East Market Street. Linked is a map of campus.
Parking – The North Campus parking ramp is located at 340 N. Madison Street. UI parking rates will apply. Parking below the PBB is not open to outside visitors.
PBB - room W401 - The Pappajohn Business Building room W401 is located within the UI Tippie College of Business.
The best entrances to get into PBB:
- Jefferson Street (south entrance) through the courtyard or up the stairs
- Anne Cleary Walkway is the west entrance
- Market Street at the corner of Market & Clinton Street (across from Old Brick) – easiest and most convenient as you enter and walk straight ahead and go just past the UPO office and turn left to access the elevator.
Bus Service
The University Capitol Centre is located adjacent to the Downtown Interchange bus stop. A number of University of Iowa (CAMBUS) and city buses frequent this location.
Places to Eat & Hotels
Visiting from out of town? Below are some highlights for places to eat, things to do, and hotel options close by. If you are a presenter, refer to your event contact for details on what meals are provided and what hotel you are staying in.
Places to Eat
There are many places to eat located inside the University Capitol Centre.
For places to eat in downtown Iowa City, visit the Iowa City Downtown District food and drink guide.
For more options, visit Think Iowa City's restaurant guide.
Hotels
For hotels within walking distance of the University of Iowa campus, visit the Iowa City Downtown District hotel guide.
For more options outside of downtown Iowa City, visit Think Iowa City's hotel guide.
Things to Do
Shopping
Shops located within walking distance of campus can be found on the Iowa City Downtown District shopping guide.
Located 5 miles from campus is the Coral Ridge Mall.
Things to Do
Looking for events and activities happening in the area? Visit the Think Iowa City visitor guide.
RSVP for the 2027 Forum
Organizers & recipients of Provost's Global Forum Award
Dimy Doresca
Dimy Doresca is a certified global business professional (CGBP), an international business specialist and consultant, an international trainer in Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation, and a recognized international speaker as a member of the U.S. State Department Speaker’s Bureau. He is the executive director of the Institute for International Business and clinical associate professor in International Business and Entrepreneurship at the University of Iowa. Professor Doresca is part of the University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and has been using the NSF I-Corps curriculum for over eight years. He is a certified I-Corps instructor through the Great Lakes I-Corps Hub at the University of Michigan. He is also the director of the Mandela Washington Fellowship Program at the University of Iowa. Professor Doresca was appointed in October 2022, as a visiting senior research fellow in the African Leadership Centre at King’s College London. In the last 25 years, his professional experience includes international education (training and program development), leading global learning tours to Africa and the Middle East, international entrepreneurship and business consulting, leading international operations in multiple countries for a U.S.-based company, international strategic planning, business development and market research, contracts administration and negotiations, and international business diplomacy in many countries in the Middle East, Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Professor Doresca holds a BA in international business from Augustana College and an MS in foreign service (international affairs) from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
About the Provost's Global Forum
Through the generous support of the Stanley-UI Foundation Support Organization, the Provost’s Global Forum is the premier annual event on campus focused on international and global issues. The forum brings together experts from the faculty and leading voices from a variety of areas to raise awareness about and contribute to debate on the foremost issues in globalization that face us today.
In addition to serving the University of Iowa community broadly, the forum endeavors to build connections between the University and the state of Iowa, and positions the UI as a national node in discussions of global affairs.
All events are free and open to the public.
International Programs Monthly Newsletter
Stay current on events like this forum and others offered throughout the year.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Daniel Vorwerk in advance by email at daniel-vorwerk@uiowa.edu or call 319-467-1619.