UVI 2010 Summer Institute for Future Global Leaders opens today
(Tuesday, May 18), on the University's St. Thomas campus. The
institute brings together 40 students from 16 countries and 22
university campuses in the Caribbean and the U.S mainland for two
weeks of intensive study. This year's theme is "Managing Natural
Disasters: A Call for Future Global Leaders."
One of this year's highlights, according to Institute Director Dr.
Solomon S. Kabuka, will be the participation of seven students from
Haiti. Their input should prove especially relevant in forum
sections that will focus on managing natural disasters.
View Summer Institute Student Profiles
Mark Walters, executive director of the Virgin Islands Emergency Management Agency, will be the keynote speaker at the institute's official opening ceremonies. The institute will also feature student round-table discussions and workshops. Formal sessions will focus on the global business environment, cross-cultural communication, global tourism, social challenges and managing natural disasters. The students will also participate in field trips to St. John and the Virgin Islands Legislature.
Public Invited to World Forum, Magens Fellowship Day
A highlight of the institute is the World Forum Debate, which is
slated for Monday, May 31, at the UVI Administration and Conference
Center. The forum, which is free and open to the public, will take
place from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday, May 31. The World Forum
will follow the United Nations format, with students taking the
roles of representatives from different countries debating a topic
of world importance. Their topic of debate will be: "Developed
nations should shoulder the responsibility for managing natural
disasters."
Another public activity of the institute will be the Fellowship
with African Families and Global Leaders Alumni scheduled for 1 to
5:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 30, at Magens Bay. Dr. Kabuka encouraged
the entire Virgin Islands community to come out and meet the
institute's students.
For more information, contact Miriam Welderufael at 693-1309 or
send email to mwelder@uvi.edu.