Message from the dean–July 2024

As July comes to a close, so too does my first year as vice provost and dean of the International Division. It has been a remarkable 365 days, with each one presenting new opportunities to learn about the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the partners we have across the state, nation, and world. There have been …

LCTL Career Fair opens doors for language learners

The fifth annual Less Commonly Taught Languages (LCTL) Career Fair connected language learners with diverse leaders and experts across sectors, demonstrating the abundant opportunities available for those who master less commonly taught languages. Hosted by the Wisconsin Intensive Summer Language Institutes (WISLI) of the Language Program Office, alongside several other campus and community partners, the …

University of Wisconsin–Madison Center for East Asian Studies Launches Open Source Intelligence Project with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

New project enables revised estimate of vehicles per capita in North Korea The University of Wisconsin–Madison Center for East Asian Studies (CEAS) is excited to announce the release of its first project on the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Tearline open source intelligence platform, a pioneering analysis focused on small passenger vehicles in Hamhung, North Korea. Read the full release.

Climate optimism: Empowering K-12 educators with solutions

On June 28th, the Wisconsin International Resource Consortium (WIRC), part of the International Division at UW–Madison, hosted a virtual workshop titled “Climate Optimism – Finding Creative Solutions and Making Positive Impacts” for K-12 educators. The day-long workshop equipped educators with new approaches to teaching climate change, fostering hope and action rather than despair. Attendees received …

The power of political theory: UW – Madison PhD student Hyemin Park

Hailing from South Korea, Hyemin “Hamni” Park brings a unique perspective to the UW–Madison political science PhD program. She sat down with the International Division to discuss her research on how East Asian thinkers grappled with Western political concepts, her decision to pursue graduate studies at UW–Madison, and the supportive environment she’s found within the …

Piyabutr Cholvijarn: A pillar of Thai education and economic development

It could be said that some people are naturally drawn to leadership roles. But in the case of Piyabutr Cholvijarn ’72, it would be more accurate to say that leadership roles are drawn to him. The economics alumnus has found success across numerous spheres, including the private sector, government, nonprofit, and education. Some of his …

Golden age advocacy

Many nations worldwide find themselves facing the challenges that come with an aging population. More than 30 nations are on track to becoming “super-aged” by 2030, with over 20 percent of the population over age 65. The United Nations projects that by 2050, the number of individuals aged 65 years or above worldwide will be …

Economic visionary Kang Seok-hoon reflects on his journey and leadership at KDB

Kang Seok-hoon (M.S. and PhD ’91) is one of the most influential figures in Korea’s economic landscape, currently serving as the chairman of the Korea Development Bank (KDB). After earning his bachelor’s degree in economics from Seoul National University, Kang pursued graduate studies in econometrics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. His career has spanned academia, …

Leading South Korea’s innovation frontier

Tai Sik Lee’s (M.S. ’83, PhD ’90) career is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary expertise and leadership in science and engineering. A foundation in civil engineering from Seoul National University and advanced degrees from the University of Wisconsin–Madison have laid the groundwork for his roles as a professor at Hanyang University and as …

Forecasting the future

In a world brimming with uncertainty, Dr. Karndee Leopairote stands at the forefront of futuristic thinking, offering a beacon of insight in an ever-evolving landscape. Leopairote’s forecasts are not guesswork; they are rooted in data, facts, trends, and figures, bolstered by her reputation as a leader and scholar. As chief foresight and digital assets officer …