WAA to host international conference in Bangkok

The Wisconsin Alumni Association will host an international conference in Bangkok, Thailand, Nov. 16-19.

The conference provides an opportunity for alumni around the world to learn more about the future of the university in the midst of 700-year-old Thai culture and hospitality.

Partners include the Office of the Chancellor, the Center for International Business Education Research, the Center for World Affairs and the Global Economy, the UW Foundation, and an endorsement from the Department of Commerce.

“Our mission is to connect alumni throughout the world with the university and each other,” says Paula Bonner, executive director of WAA. “A conference of this caliber is a ‘don’t-miss’ opportunity for alumni and friends who want to learn more about our partners in Asia and pursue business abroad.”

The four-day series will kick off with a keynote address from UW–Madison Chancellor David Ward, who will be stepping down in January 2001. His discussion will set the stage for lively dialogue throughout the conference, focusing on innovation in the global economy and education as we move into the next century.

“Thailand provides an excellent setting for discussing global collaboration, because there is a long-standing relationship between the Thai people and UW–Madison,” says Ward.

In 1997, Ward and Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson led a trade and educational mission to Thailand. UW–Madison has graduated more than 700 Thai residents, dating back to 1917, and the university has the largest number of Thai students of any U.S. college or university. The most recent figures show that 165 Thai students were enrolled last fall.

Morning discussion topics at the conference will include economic and business development, science and technological advances, and educational progress in Asia. Luncheon programs will focus on Thai history and culture, while afternoons will be open for sightseeing and other activities. Conference highlights include:

• Prominent international alumni and leaders in government, business, and education, including Supachai Panichpakdi, deputy prime minister of Thailand and director-elect of the World Trade Organization. Richard Hecklinger, U.S. ambassador to Thailand, will discuss the future of Asia. A host of deans and faculty from UW–Madison will discuss the innovative approaches being used by the university and its colleges and schools to move education forward in the new century.

Hotel accommodations are at Le Royal Meridien Hotel, conveniently located in the heart of Bangkok. Sightseeing excursions, as well as optional courses on Thai cooking and Thai foot massage, will be offered.

Conference packages are $350 per individual ($250 for accompanying guests) and include admission to conference sessions, a welcome reception, and all meals, including the gala dinner in Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Thailand.