Inside Iowa State

July 23, 2009

Geoffroy, other educators seek more ties with Indonesian universities

by Diana Pounds

President Gregory Geoffroy will help lead a group of American educators to Indonesia in late July to explore opportunities to expand educational programs between the U.S. and Indonesian universities.

Geoffroy is a co-chair of the delegation that includes approximately 20 university presidents, provosts and other college officials. In addition, several officials from international education groups will be part of the delegation.

The educators will spend nearly a week in various Indonesian cities, meeting with officials of the Ministry of National Education and administrators, faculty, students and alumni of local universities.

Geoffroy also will meet with an estimated 150 Iowa State alumni at a gathering in Jakarta. Indonesia is home to approximately 375 Iowa State alumni.

Geoffroy represents the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, one of four institutions participating in the trip. The other three participating institutions are the United States-Indonesia Society, which promotes connections between the two countries; the Institute of International Education, which administers such programs as the Fulbright Scholarships for the U.S. Department of State; and the East-West Center, an education and research organization established by U.S. Congress.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced the university presidents' trip during a meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Noer Hassan Wirajuda in June. Clinton said the educators' visit is part of a U.S. commitment to higher education in Indonesia and more educational linkages between the two countries.

President Gregory Geoffroy is overseas as part of a delegation exploring expansion of educational programs between U.S. and Indonesian universities