Usap Forum 2009 Agenda

The agenda is subject to change. Please keep checking this page to keep up to date on what to expect at the forum.

Friday, May 29 2009
5:00pm - 10:00pm
Arrival & Registration [Expectations from the forum]
8:30pm - Pool and Pizza Social
- Play a game of pool, hang out, catch up with friends and discover Brown campus, legendary Thayer Street and historic downtown Providence.
   
Saturday May 30 2009
8:00am Breakfast
9:00am - Opening Remarks & Introductions
- Official welcome to all in attendance
- Self introductions - name, affiliation and role and involvement at institution
9:30am "Usap in Times of Change"
10:00am Usap Global update: panel of advisors with updates from various continents (ie. one advisor each from Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe)
11:15am Keynote Address – Speaker TBD
12:00pm Lunch in Salomon Auditorium (Brown University)
1:00pm Discussion: Usap's role and contribution in enhancing development, and promoting education and leadership in our home countries.

Panel/Break out Session #1
1. Pressing issues and country-specific concerns - "Reflections on Zimbabwe in 2009" and other presentations TBA
2. The Global Economic Recession - implications for the future of the developing world (in the context of economic growth and development)
3. Politics in Perspective - the first African-American Presidency. What does a change in administration of a world superpower mean for foreign policy in relation to developing countries
2:30pm Reconvene
3:30pm - 5:30pm Usap Cup of Nations – soccer & other outdoor games at Pembroke Field (Brown University)
Advisors Meeting / Tour of Bryant University
6:00pm Dinner (Portuguese cuisine/Barbeque special)
8:00pm Talent Show Rehearsal at Rite & Reason Theatre (Brown University)
 
Sunday May 31 2009
8:00am Breakfast
8:45am Head out to Salomon Hall
9:00am Admissions & Financial Aid in a tough economic climate: The challenge of admitting and enrolling economically disadvantaged international students during tough economic times. Presentation by Brown Admissions. Short Q & A.
9:20am - 9:45am Coming to America: Students' impressions and challenges on and off-campus in the US (or other foreign countries)
Focus on the life of the international student: campus life, healthcare, financial constraints, inequality and race issues, etc) and on drawing comparisons with our home countries.
9:45am - 10:15am Technology Transfer and Planning in Developing Countries: Dr. Barrett Hazeltine, BSE, MSE, Princeton University, Ph.D. University of Michigan, professor Emeritus & former professor of Engineering at Brown University
His teaching and research interests are in engineering management, technology planning especially in developing countries, and teaching of technology for Liberal Arts students, and digital computers. Has experience and has done research and in Africa and in Asia. Has taught at the University of Zambia, University of Malawi, University of Botswana, and at Africa University in Zimbabwe. Other foreign countries in which he has done teaching or consulting are Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nigeria, South Africa, The Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand. Short Q&A session to follow.
10:15am Usap student Projects:
- Presentations by various students on their various ventures
10:55am - 11:15am Environment, Natural Resources and Appropriate Technology: Denboy Kudejira, MS. Sustainable International Development (Brandeis University)
Has experience as Livelihoods Officer for the Reducing Vulnerability Program of Practical Action - Southern Africa for more than 4 years. Coordinated community development initiatives in Zimbabwe’s Manicaland Province, including Community Based Natural Resources Management, Sustainable Agriculture and HIV/AIDS response interventions. Involved in climate change adaptation in Burkina Faso. Short Q &A Session to follow.
11:15am Life after college: What's out there?
Graduate Admissions Panel

Panel/Break out Session #2
1. Graduate / Professional School Admissions Panel - Grad school 101
2. Working Life Experiences – Applications and interview tips on careers
3. Advisors Only Panel
12:00pm Lunch in Salomon Auditorium
1:00pm Key Note Speech: TBA
2:00pm Leadership and Education – a critical look at the dilemma of bad leadership and how to break the cycle, in line with the Usap Overall Vision.
What makes us as foreign-educated Usap students different from all the similarly educated leaders who came before us but still perpetuate the cycle of corruption and hypocrisy in our home countries? How are we (trying to be) different, and if not, how do we become different for the better?
2:30pm Reconvene and Present
2:50pm The Role of Usap alums within Usap, and the context of their respective home countries
3:50pm UsapTrust Update - Giving back to Usap
4:45pm Forum Closing Remarks
5:00pm Future Conference Planning
Usap Board
Feedback: [Expectations and recommendations for future forums]
6:00pm Dinner at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD): Indian Cuisine
8:00pm Talent Show at Brown University Rites & Reason Theatre
   
Monday June 1 2009: [Educational advisor Conference]
8:00am Breakfast
9:00am Student Departure and room check out / Advisor's depart for Boston area campus tours
10:00am Campus visit in the Boston area
  Lunch and meeting time for Usap advisors
6:00pm Arrival back in Providence