A S I A C O U N C I L
University System of Georgia – Council on International Education
MINUTES of the Meeting held September 12, 2003
Macon State College

The Council Chair, Dan Paracka (Kennesaw State University), called the meeting to order at 1:00 pm. Other schools represented/Council members present were: Tom Howard (Armstrong Atlantic State University), Suresh Gopalan (Columbus state University); Baogang Guo (Dalton State College); Sheila Phillips (Darton College); Thomas Dolan (Columbus State University); Dwight Call (Georgia College and State University); Paul Foster (Georgia Institute of Technology); Thomas Graham, and Salli Vargis (Georgia Perimeter College); Belen Calingacion (Kennesaw State University); Farley Richmond (University of Georgia, Athens); Wilson Huang (Valdosta State University); Susan Leisure (USG/OIE) and Council Secretary, Marc Jason Gilbert (North Georgia College & State University).

After introductions, the circulation of the contact sheet and approval of the Minutes, the Council discussed a flyer detailing the availability of Freeman Fellowships, their amount and conditions ($3,000-$5,000; 8 weeks of study in Asia).

SCIE UPDATE

Susan Leisure supplied the SCIE update regarding on-line courses (Japanese and Russian) and Global Partnerships (proposals due in April).

STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS

JAPAN

Dwight Call reported on the successful conduct of the USG Faculty Development Seminar in Japan, which involved 14 USG faculty members from 10 different institutions for two weeks.

CHINA

The Council received reports from Dan Paracka (Language Study Abroad Program in Yangzhou) and from Wilson Huang and Baogang Guo (General Studies Abroad Program in Yangzhou) on the projected content and progress in the development of both programs. Dan Paracka also reported on the Student Teacher Program for China and the related visit of Chinese faculty October 10-19th to Georgia to visit campuses to examine USG teaching evaluation procedures and meet possible future teachers.

INDIA

Farley Richmond and Salli Vargas presented an impressive draft brochure and curricula for the projected Student Study Abroad Program in India and discussed the possibility of students choosing one-half or the whole program, depending on their interest.

OTHER BUSINESS

Reminders were issued regarding the Middle East Workshop (October 17-19, 2003) under the direction of Tom Keene.

Tom Graham introduced his idea for a Faculty Development Seminar in Thailand and Malaysia. This led to a discussion of the need to prioritize the academic connections as well as content of Faculty Development Programs. Susan Leisure informed the Council that programs lacking such definition initiated by other Councils have led to cut-backs in funding for Faculty Development Programs.

Belen Calingacion, a Fulbright Scholar at Kennesaw State University, announced her plans to bring Philippine culture to Georgia. She subsequently brought a famous Philippine Dance Troop to Georgia (they performed in October, 2003 to packed audiences at University, Georgia State University, and Kennesaw State University).

Meeting Adjourned at 4:00 p.m.

Next SCIE Asia Council Meeting is at 1:00 p.m. at Macon state college December 5, 2003.