Fulbright Scholars Reinforce Public Diplomacy in Wuhan

October 2009: As part of the U.S. efforts to support academic exchanges, ConGen Wuhan has worked closely with the Embassy and local universities to use American Fulbright lecturers, senior specialists, researchers and students to build academic partnerships.  There are currently five Fulbright scholars in Wuhan – at Wuhan University, Central China Normal University, and Central China University of Science and Technology.   They regularly participate in Consulate General’s public outreach activities, as part of the Fulbright program administered by the Embassy.  

U.S. Fulbright scholars attended 2009 State Alumni Reception in Wuhan

October 13-15, Ingrid Larson, Director of the American Center for Educational Exchange (ACEE) and Nathan Keltner, Cultural Affairs Specialist at the Embassy, visited Wuhan to meet with Fulbright alumni and observe current Fulbright lecturers’ classes.  Professor John Zheng, a U.S. Fulbright Scholar from Mississippi Valley State University, is now teaching American Literature at Huazhong Normal University.  Mr. Zheng is a native of Wuhan and graduated from Huazhong Normal University.  Professor Neil Gotanda, a U.S. Fulbright Scholar from Western State University in California, is now teaching about the American legal system at Wuhan University.  Professor Gotana has written extensively on Asian American studies and has received many awards.  On October 14, Dr. Cindi Chance, a US Fulbright Specialist from Southern Georgia University who is teaching at Central China Normal University, met Consul General Lyle to discuss her role in building stronger bilateral relations (http://blogs.georgiasouthern.edu/china/2009/10/22/october-18-21/). 

Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, which hosted a U.S. law professor in 2008 for a course on intellectual property rights protection, was eager to host U.S. Fulbright law professors on campus in 2009.   At the recommendation of Consul General Wendy Lyle, Professor Neil Gotana visited the university on October 21 for a guest lecture on “Becoming Asian American—How Generations of Asian Immigrants Have Become Asian Americans” at the law school with outstanding results.

U.S. Fulbright scholars attended an “English Corner” hosted by the U.S. Consulate General Wuhan