Global Understanding

Celebrating the 2011–2012 Global Focus Year of Vietnam

Fifty–four ethnicities. One of the world’s fastest–growing economies. A popular tourist destination. A dynamic yet at times divisive history. This is Vietnam, the country of this year’s Global Focus Program. Throughout the 2011–2012 academic year, the Chatham community will explore and study the history, culture and people of this Southeast Asia nation.

Chatham welcomed the Year of Vietnam at Opening Convocation on Sunday, August 28 with traditional Vietnamese song, dance, food and traditions. Events continue throughout the year, from guest lecturers to a film festival. One of the highlights will be a visit by His Excellency Nguyen Quoc Cuong, Ambassador from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, on Thursday, October 6 at 4:00 p.m. in the Mellon Board Room. Chatham President Esther Barazzone, Ph.D. will present the Ambassador with an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service.

"Vietnam has a vibrant culture, one that will be exciting to explore," noted Jean–Jacques Sène, assistant professor of History and coordinator of the Global Focus Program. "But because of geography it has often been the center of strife and violence, most recently of course during the Vietnam War.

"However, since that time Vietnam has transformed itself into a socioeconomic engine in Southeast Asia. It normalized relations with the U.S. in 1995, and has become a strong trade and tourism partner. I look forward to engaging with the Vietnamese community in Pittsburgh to help our students better understand this beautiful country."

In fact, friends of Chatham will be able to explore Vietnam first–hand when the University Alumni Association hosts a special trip to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand from February 21 – March 3, 2012. Guests will travel to Hanoi, Saigon, Siem Reap, and Bangkok. Click here for more information.

About Global Focus

Begun in 1995, Chatham’s award–winning Global Focus Program concentrates on one country or region of the world each year to enable the college community to engage in a comprehensive study of that region through coursework, class assignments, campus events, community activities, co–curricular programs and service learning projects. By the time she graduates, a Chatham undergraduate will have been immersed in four countries or world regions in her curriculum work and co–curricular activities.

The Global Focus program, during which the entire Chatham community spends an academic year exploring in depth the history, culture and people of a segment of the world, has been a hallmark of the Chatham University experience for nearly a decade. The Global Focus Year of the Communities of Islam received the Institute of International Education’s 2002–2003 Andrew Heiskell Award for Innovation in International Education.

Students, faculty and staff work together in planning overseas travels, campus events, selecting speakers and lecture topics, and engaging in collaborative academic assignments. Faculty members teaching the First Year Writing Program choose an all–campus reading which focuses on the selected region and the author is invited to visit the campus, interact with students in their classes, as well as give a public lecture. In addition, throughout the academic year, several art gallery exhibitions, student theater performances, and an array of community outreach initiatives embrace and feature the focus region.

 

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