Globalization of Higher Education Highlights GWtalks Events in Hong Kong, Beijing

Columbian College Dean Ben Vinson III the latest university leader to participate in discussion series.

October 19, 2015

Ben Vinson

The Hong Kong discussion with Columbian College Dean Ben Vinson III, left, was moderated by alumnus Zeb Eckert, right, a reporter for Bloomberg Asia. (Courtesy photo)

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences Dean Ben Vinson III became the latest headliner of the GWtalks series, which showcases the university’s top academic leaders and faculty members discussing global topics with international alumni, parents and friends.

Addressing the George Washington University community at events in Hong Kong and Beijing on Oct. 14 and 17, Dr. Vinson spoke about the globalization of higher education and how the dissemination of knowledge on a global scale has the potential to transform lives in significant ways.

“We live in a world that exists in what many have described as the information age, but information is meaningless if we cannot produce knowledge,” he said. “Universities have always been the repositories and incubators of knowledge. Today, we must live up to our calling, and we must do it not alone but with other partners and institutions.

“We must guide our students to mature into the lives that they were meant to have. We must nurture our students as they mature into the global citizens that we desperately need to push human society forward.”

The events drew alumni, parents, prospective students and current students. The Hong Kong event attracted more than 35 attendees. More than 60 attended the program in Beijing.   

Among those attending was Joseph Minder, B.B.A. ’13, a School of Business graduate and a recent arrival in Hong Kong.

“The event was an excellent reminder that no matter how far from campus you travel, the GW network is always present,” he said. “It was a great way to connect with fellow alumni in my new city and hear from Dean Vinson on the university's plan to further globalize the educational experience of GW students.”

For Zeb Eckert, B.A. ’03, the most meaningful part of the Hong Kong event was Dr. Vinson’s question-and-answer session. Mr. Eckert is a reporter for Bloomberg Asia and moderated the discussion.

“He challenged us to think about the power and perils of technology and how it is transforming higher education and the way we view the world,” Mr. Eckert said. “The dean's reflections unexpectedly sparked a vibrant discussion among the audience on global learning and leadership—with GW at its nexus.”

GWtalks, a series of discussions in international cities on topics including business, politics, education and healthcare, is hosted by International Advancement within the Division of Development and Alumni Relations. The series was launched this summer in New Delhi, Istanbul and Dubai featuring School of Business Dean Linda Livingstone.

“Our GW community internationally are interested in continuing their intellectual conversations that they had while they were on campus, and this new series offers the opportunity for us to bring top faculty internationally and to continue these discussions and conversations,” said Mansoor Ali, associate director of international alumni programs.

Graduate School of Political Management Director Mark Kennedy, a former three-term U.S. congressman from Minnesota, will continue the series Nov. 13 in Mexico City