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Strategic Alliances
On a number of fronts, Emory continues to build on existing partnerships or forge new ones to advance the strategic plan.
In February 2008, delegations from Emory and Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa University held a workshop at AAU to evaluate the past year of a collaborative relationship and to refine the programs and focus of the partnership. Goals were set for the coming year in areas such as information technology; administrative capacity building; work in the health sciences; and advancing Ph.D. education.
Emory and Georgia Tech have partnered to propose the creation of the Global Water Research Institute, which would address the world’s increasingly urgent need for clean and accessible water.
The Institute for Developing Nations met in Liberia in early March with its newly formed Working Group on Gender Violence. The aim was to help further the work of The Carter Center through community education about the law in rural areas and better understanding of how traditional practices and national laws might be harmonized.
Internationalization
Emory continues to welcome increasing numbers of international students and scholars with some 2,530 from 123 countries in 2008. The dedicated staff of the University-wide office of International Student and Scholar Programs — now located in the North Decatur Building with the Office of International Affairs and The Halle Institute — work closely with these scholars to navigate the complex and changing U.S. regulatory environment.
More Emory students are studying abroad in more diverse locations in low-income countries. To strengthen all aspects of the study abroad experience, Emory aims to move to an online application and management process within the coming year.
New developments with Emory and Asia: the launch of the Korean language at Emory with support from the Academy of Korean Studies; the introduction of the Chinese language in Atlanta public schools through the Confucius Institute led by Emory and Nanjing University faculty with support from the Chinese Ministry of Education; the deepening of the Emory-Tibet Science Initiative with support from His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama; and pioneering graduate research projects in Thailand.
Creativity and the Arts
This strategic implementation framework, led by Rosemary M. Magee, vice president and secretary of the University, includes support for the October 2008 Future of Evolution Conference; “A Fine Excess,” the recent poetry conference; “Luminaries in the Arts” and “Creativity Conversations,” artist lectures and conversations with Salman Rushdie, Dorothy Allison and others.
In addition, the Emory College Center for Creativity & Arts, launched in February with Theater Studies Chair Leslie Taylor serving as inaugural executive director, supports artist grants and commissions, event sponsorships, and student initiatives, such as “Artist Survival Skills” workshops; “Out There Arts” grants; and “Emory Arts Passport.” The Center established an Arts Council and executive committee, with its international advisory committee to be named soon.
In May, Emory’s Public Art Committee will dedicate a Jose de Rivera sculpture donated by Donna and Marvin Schwartz, to be sited in front of the facility bearing their name.
The full array of these programs and projects will soon be available on www.creativity.emory.edu.
Institute for Advanced Policy Solutions
Emory’s Institute for Advanced Policy Solutions recently initiated its Health System Transformation Seminar Series to discuss the state of the U.S. health care system, health security, and the role of public health and health policy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Julie Gerberding gave the inaugural lecture on the status of the nation's health, while the second seminar addressed approaches to reducing health disparities. The April 28 seminar will highlight chronic disease prevention and management. Kenneth Thorpe, Institute director and professor and chair at the Rollins School of Public Health, will lead the discussion.
In June, the Institute will host a conference with the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease. Thorpe is executive director of PFCD, a bipartisan coalition of leading health care, business and labor experts and organizations, committed to positioning chronic disease care as a key health care issue.
The Institute unites researchers from public, private, academic and nonprofit arenas to develop innovative solutions to critical policy problems, including health and poverty.
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