UW-Madison will host 150 Fulbright scholars from Pakistan beginning on November 3 for a three-day orientation focused on social movements in the U.S.
The Institute of International Education’s (IIE) Fulbright Pakistan Orientation Seminar will bring together the Pakistani master’s and Ph.D. students, who are currently studying at universities across the U.S. as part of a two-year program supported by the U.S. Department of State. The seminar will focus on U.S. social movements, particularly #BlackLivesMatter, as well as other issues in the nation, such as marriage equality.
“UW-Madison is an ideal location for this seminar to take place,” said Lalita du Perron, associate director of the Center for South Asia and director and organizer of the seminar. “We have over 50 years of experience teaching and researching the languages and cultures of South Asia including Pakistan, and our campus is invested in creating a truly inclusive atmosphere and climate for students.”
The seminar will include a keynote address by Professor Emeritus Joe Elder, lectures by UW-Madison faculty, and opportunities for peer student interaction. The First Wave Learning Community will be actively involved through performance and discussion groups. Graduate students from the Department of Counselling Psychology will work with the Fulbright scholars in small groups to facilitate reflection on life in the U.S.
“Being selected by the IIE to host this seminar is a great honor, said Guido Podestá, vice provost and dean of the International Division. “This is an opportunity not only to share information on social movements in the U.S., but also to engage in a dialogue on cultural and ethical issues on a global scale.”
The Center for South Asia, a Title VI National Resource Center, is a member of the Institute for Regional and International Studies (IRIS,) which comprises the area studies centers at UW–Madison. IRIS is part of UW–Madison’s International Division.
For more information contact: Steven Barcus, sbarcus@wisc.edu, (608) 262-5590