This is the first year that the Liberal Arts Forum has expanded to include partners beyond the US, thus explaining the new title of ‘International’ Liberal Arts Forum. Partners from the US, Canada, Japan and Thailand were in attendance. The theme of this year’s forum is ‘Education and Globalization in the Liberal Arts’. The purpose of the forum is to bring together partners for an opportunity to discuss liberal arts ideals and build on ideas and strategies for growth together.
Conference attendees gather for a group photo
The 2017 International Liberal Arts Forum started off on 14 November with a bang, as members of the student-run Dragon Lion Dance team started up the music for the traditional Lion dance to welcome international delegates. The Lions danced their way through campus, finishing at the campus square, with forum delegates following. After the performance, participants made their way to the Multi-functional Room in T1 for the welcoming address and first keynote speech from UIC’s own President, Prof Ng Ching-Fai.
Students play the music for the lion dance
Visiting scholars enjoy the display of Chinese culture
Delegates applaud for the performance
Prof Ng speaks with Dr Wolfgang Natter, Vice President Academic Affairs of the College of St. Scholastica
Prof Ng’s speech was titled ‘A Call for Diversity in 21st Century Higher Education’. He thanked all the delegates for coming to the forum, especially as many had to travel from international partner academic institutions as far away as the United States and Canada. On this point, Prof Ng elaborated, saying that diversity is essential for growth in higher education. Prof Ng brought up the Belt and Road Initiative and pointed out how UIC students are being equipped to learn skills to help achieve the goals of that initiative. These goals include policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and most important people to people bonds.
After his talk, the floor was opened for questions from the audience. The President of Augsburg University, Dr Paul Pribbenow, asked Prof Ng how he shares the vision of a liberal arts education with the parents, and how to convince them of its value. Prof Ng discussed UIC’s focus on whole-person education and especially four-point education both being key to convincing parents of the importance of their children gaining a liberal arts education. He mentioned that he often receives letters from parents thanking UIC for helping to develop their children into smart and well-rounded individuals.
Prof Ng gives his keynote speech
Once Prof Ng’s keynote speech came to an end, delegates gathered in the campus square to take a group photo, before heading to the next venue in CC323. The next keynote speaker was the Senior Director of Global Learning and Curricular Change with the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), Dr Dawn Whitehead. Her talk was titled ‘Liberal Arts Education as a Priority, Not an Option’.
Dr Whitehead started her talk by introducing AAC&U for those who were not familiar and then focused on current inequality in America in terms of being able to pursue higher education. She talked about how the view of higher education has changed over time. Originally it was viewed as a luxury, then a privilege, then an opportunity, then a necessity and now arguably a right. Dr Whitehead then went on to talk about what employers want from students. She said that employers are looking for students to have global knowledge and experience, intercultural skills, critical thinking skills, and be able to solve complex problems.
Dr Whitehead speaks to a large audience of guests and students
Guests listen to Dr Whitehead's talk
During the question period, an audience member asked what the difference is between education as a necessity and education as a right. Dr Whitehead said that when we view education as a necessity, the onus is on the individual student to acquire it, but when we view education as a right then society as a whole must work to give everyone access to education, therefore moving the responsibility from the individual to society.
Following Dr Whitehead’s talk was another keynote speech given by the President of Trinity University, Prof Danny J Anderson. His talk was titled ‘The World-Ready Graduate: Liberal Arts in the Age of Globalization’. Prof Anderson emphasized that liberal arts graduates are arguably more career-ready than those with just technical skills because they have learned a wider range of skills to help them in many situations. Prof Anderson stated that the most important skill graduates need to take away is the ability to be adaptable in the ever-changing world. In order to become ‘world-ready’, students must be prepared for whatever challenges they may encounter.
Prof Anderson speaks about how graduates can become 'world-ready'
Many students attend the keynote speeches
After Prof Anderson’s talk, the delegates took a break for lunch before reconvening to witness a Chinese traditional instrument demonstration. Jenna Otto, a foreign intern from Concordia College currently working in the Statistics Programme, welcomed attendees to the event and played a piece on the traditional Chinese Guqin instrument. Afterwards, members of the Guqin club demonstrated a set of chimes, bells and more ancient Chinese musical instruments in the room. This was the same kind of cultural event that China's President, Xi Jinping, hosted for the president of the United States of America, Donald Trump, during his recent visit.
Jenna Otto plays a song on the Guqin
Jenna Otto tells guests about the history of the Guqin
Guqin teacher Mandy Li gives a demonstration
Visitors gather for a group photo with the traditional instruments
Following the instrument demonstration, delegates gathered back in CC323 for the next keynote speech presented by the President of Augsburg University and UIC Honorary Fellow, Dr Paul C Pribbenow. His talk was titled ‘What is Required of You?’, and had a focus on what students must do to get the most out of their university education. Dr Pribbenow had a threefold answer to his question, which included showing up, paying attention and doing the work. Many UIC students attended this lecture and showed interest in the visiting president’s talk.
Dr Pribbenow speaks to the audience about what is required of students attending colleges
Students attend Dr Pribbenow's lecture
The night is ended with a faculty violin and piano concert
Later, delegates met for a roundtable at the new Council Chamber to discuss the events of the day and raise any questions they had. This was followed by the inauguration of the International Common Room, where Prof Ng said a few words to commemorate the first use of the space. The night was ended by a Violin and Piano Concert, showcasing talented UIC faculty and their musical skills. The first day of the Liberal Arts Forum was an insightful and educational day, with delegates and the UIC audience looking forward to Day 2.
Read more: International Liberal Arts Forum: Day 2
Reporter: Samantha Burns
Photographers: Wu Wei, Ivy Liao, Deen He, Samantha Burns
Editor: Deen He, Samuel Burgess
(from MPRO)
