2012 National Conference Call On Myanmar

On December 13th, the Institute of International Education and the EducationUSA advising network convened a special conference call with high-level U.S. and Myanmar officials on establishing linkages between higher education institutions in both countries. The conference call focused on current efforts to expand education cooperation; the current and future interest of U.S. higher education institutions in academic partnerships; and how to utilize those linkages to build capacity at higher education institutions.

The call featured remarks from Meghann Curtis, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Academic Programs at the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs; His Excellency Than Swe, Ambassador of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in the United States; Adrienne Nutzmann, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Rangoon; Jonathan Lembright, EducationUSA Regional Educational Advising Coordinator (REAC) for Mainland & Maritime Southeast Asia; and Daniel Obst, Deputy Vice President for International Partnerships at IIE.

The call focused on ways stakeholders in both countries can leverage growing diplomatic ties to expand higher education cooperation. In addition to a number of U.S. government-funded efforts, including the Fulbright Program, Hubert H. Humphrey Program, the USAID Higher Education Partnerships opportunity, and local EducationUSA advising centers, IIE is coordinating an institute-wide effort to support higher education in Myanmar. At the core of this initiative is the International Academic Partnership Program, through which ten selected U.S. colleges and universities will travel to Myanmar in February on a capacity building delegation.

Conference Call Agenda

Meghann Curtis
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Academic Programs, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State

U Than Swe
Ambassador of the Republic the Union of Myanmar in the U.S.

Adrienne Nutzmann
Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy in Rangoon

Jonathan Lembright
EducationUSA Regional Educational Advising Coordinator (REAC), Mainland & Maritime Southeast Asia

Daniel Obst
Deputy Vice President, International Partnerships, Institute of International Education

Discussion Moderated by
Dr. Allan E. Goodman
President and CEO, Institute of International Education