KU News Release

International scholars to attend conference held at KU

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas will host 45 international scholars during the annual spring conference of the Open Society Institute’s Faculty Development Fellowship Program April 27-29. The Open Society Institute is part of the Soros Foundation network, founded by global financier and philanthropist George Soros.

The scholars from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan are working at universities nationwide. Fifteen of their American faculty mentors also will attend. KU faculty and conference participants will discuss American political culture, higher education in the United States and the state of higher education in their home countries and fields. Former Kansas Gov. Mike Hayden will speak about Kansas’ geography and political culture. The conference is organized by KU’s International Programs.

The Open Society Institute faculty development fellowship is designed to generate new curriculum and pedagogy and develop projects and partnerships. For up to three years, faculty fellows spend one semester at an American university and one semester teaching at their home universities. The spring conference is held at a different university each year.

-30-

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.