On the Global Front

U.N. Pathways

This spring semester, several ambassadors are traveling to the University for three Monday evening programs at Teaneck and two at Madison. Two other sessions will be broadcast from the U.N. building to the University’s interactive television facilities. 

Rick Isquith, assistant provost for global relations, T-H, says the program is another effort “to bring the ideas of the world onto campus.” He adds that the ambassadors, who are committed to educating the public about the work of the United Nations, will help provide insight into the most pressing issues of our times. 

Ambassador Ahmad Kamal, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, former ambassador to the United Nations and president of the Ambassador’s Club, was at the Teaneck-Hackensack Campus in early February and will be at Lenfell Hall, the Mansion, on the Florham-Madison Campus on Monday, February 25, at 6 p.m. He is speaking on “The United Nations in the 21st Century.” For other events, consult the What’s Happening calendar of events. 

NGO Status

The designation provides the University with special access to U.N. facilities, briefings and programs. As an accredited NGO, FDU is able to name three individuals who can attend U.N. functions. They are J. Michael Adams, president; Michael Sperling, associate provost for interdisciplinary, distributed and global learning, T-H; and Isquith.
As FDU representatives, Adams, Sperling and Isquith are allowed entry to all U.N. conferences and meetings (excluding Security Council sessions), as well as access to the U.N. research library.

“This represents another effort that raises the University’s presence in this important global forum,” Isquith says, adding that the access provided will further enable the University to remain in the forefront of important issues that concern global leaders.  

To earn NGO accreditation, FDU had to submit information and data illustrating its commitment to the United Nations and its mission. Since its early days, FDU has had a close relationship with the United Nations. The University’s first president, Peter Sammartino, started the practice of bringing U.N. ambassadors to speak and teach on campus. For the last two years, President Adams has served as honorary New Jersey chairman of U.N. Day. 

Study Abroad 

“We want students to experience life in different cultures,” Isquith says, “and find out what it means to be the foreigner. We’re especially trying to encourage freshmen to travel and hoping that, if they start early, they will want to continue later.” 

Another part of Isquith’s role is encouraging international students to study on the FDU campuses. With more than 900 students attending from approximately 70 countries, the University currently ranks among the top universities in the country in international student enrollment. Isquith is continuing to reach out to more countries in hopes of recruiting even more students. 

Other Global Updates

Also, led by Ronald Heim, associate dean, Silberman College, F-M, and Zhaobo (Bob) Wang, management/marketing/information systems and science, F-M, the University has introduced plans for a Chinese / American Business Institute, designed to bring together FDU, business executives and Chinese students. Among other things, the institute would provide American business mentors for Chinese students. 
Heim and Wang visited China in January and met with officials from Northeastern University in Shenyang; Shenyang University; Topgem University in Beijing; and Shanghai University. “Each school was eager to partner with FDU,” reported Heim. “It is hoped that these relationships will grow into Chinese students finishing their undergraduate degrees and studying for their MBAs at FDU and FDU faculty teaching in Chinese schools.”

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