OSU students travel to Abu Dhabi

Thursday, April 13, 2006

Representatives of the Oklahoma State University School of International Studies had a unique spring break experience. 

Graduate students Jennifer Springer and Samantha Wolthuis — along with Donna Birchler of the SIS Graduate Program and Kay Keys, director of the English Language Institute — represented OSU at the Women as Global Leaders Conference organized by Zayed University in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, March 12-14. 

More than 1,200 students representing over 87 countries attended the conference.

Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, minister of Higher Education & Scientific Research and President of Zayed University, opened the conference with a speech.

“Women continue to make incredible advances around the globe, and we realize that their full and unhindered contributions are essential to the success and prosperity of local and global communities,” he said. “I fervently hope that the friendships you make and the knowledge you acquire [here] will enable you to function as productive leaders in our global society.”

The Women as Global Leaders Conference seeks to educate the next generation of female leaders. This year’s conference builds upon the success of last year’s, which was the first international student leadership conference ever to be held in the Middle East. 

This year's conference theme was “Communities in Transition,” which focused on women's ability to affect change on a local and global scale as leaders in their communities. Those in attendance had the opportunity to listen to speakers, establish partnerships and networking contacts, and meet with prominent female leaders worldwide. The extensive list of speakers included Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan; The Hon. Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and UN Commissioner for Human Rights; and Linda Ellerbee, award-winning journalist and television producer. 

"The Women as Global Leaders conference was a life-changing experience for me. As a woman and a student interested in creating a positive impact on Third World development, presentations by women such as Queen Rania Al-Abdullah and Mary Robinson, along with my peers, both humbled and challenged me to work harder and reach for greater goals," SIS graduate student Jennifer Springer said.

Kay Keys said seeing young women from many countries emerging as leaders was uplifting. 

“The exchange among cultures was fascinating and will be invaluable to the participants,” Keys said. “My hat is off to Zayed University for having had the forethought to organize such an inspiring event.”

The mission of SIS is to provide a universitywide focus to expand international opportunities in instruction, research and outreach for individuals and organizations seeking a greater understanding and involvement in global affairs. The school is part of the International Education and Outreach unit, which helps carry out the university’s mission of providing educational programs and services beyond traditional campus boundaries. 

SIS coordinates academic programs and opportunities with colleges and departments systemwide. School components include the International Bureaus, English Language Institute, Study Abroad, a Peace Corps Recruiting Office, Fulbright Information Center, Mexico Liaison Office, Phi Beta Delta, and a graduate program offering an M.S. and Certificate in International Studies and the Master’s International Peace Corps degree. More than 147 OSU faculty members participate in school activities.