IIE to Lead Historic U.S. University Delegation to Myanmar

The Institute of International Education will lead a delegation from ten U.S. universities to Myanmar in late February to learn more about the current state of higher education in Myanmar and explore potential partnership opportunities. The delegation is part of a broader IIE-wide Myanmar higher education initiative which seeks to help the country rebuild its higher education capacity.

Allan Goodman, the Institute’s President & CEO, will lead the delegation, together with Meghann Curtis, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Academic Programs. Representatives from the U.S. Embassy will also join the delegation, which will visit universities, organizations, and government entities in Yangon, Mandalay, and Naypyidaw.

This is the largest delegation of U.S. universities to travel to Myanmar. Participating universities are: American University, Arizona State University, Ball State University, Hawaii Pacific University, Northern Arizona University, Northern Illinois University, Rutgers University, Samford University, the University of Massachusetts – Lowell, and the University of Washington. The colleges selected have experience with Myanmar, whether through diaspora students and faculty on their campuses or through previous work in the country.

This delegation represents an interest on the part of U.S. higher education in taking part in the process of building connections and building capacity at the host universities. Members of the delegation plan to deliver lectures at a number of Myanmar universities on a variety of topics deemed to be of critical need. These lectures will be open to educators and other university representatives, and will include companion materials translated into the Myanmar language.