Item Posted: April 29, 2010

USA Fellow Authors Latest Enterprising Book

While on his fellowship and after being involved with more than two dozen startups through his company, DreamIt Ventures, Steve Welch, ’08, USA, interviewed entrepreneurs all over the world and wrote his new book, We are all Born Entrepreneurs. In witnessing the struggles and successes of so many men and women, Steve compiled over a dozen stories that he “felt would provide learning experiences for aspiring entrepreneurs and also answer the question of why so many of us find purpose in entrepreneurship.” His intention is not to “provide a road map for entrepreneurs, but rather a realistic understanding of the skills that need to be developed to build a business from scratch, while at the same time providing insight into the tricks and traps that other successful entrepreneurs have found.”

Item Posted: April 29, 2010

Saudi Arabia Fellow Assists with USA Fellow’s Program

Fatin Bundagji, ’07, Saudi Arabia is working with her firm "TLC Consultancy" to sponsor the program scheduling for 2010 USA Fellow Diane Mulcahy's visit to Riyadh and Jeddah. As a Board Director, Fatin has arranged for Diane to give a talk at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce to investors, business sector employees and entrepreneurs on venture capital. Diane will also give two talks in Riyadh (one at Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority and one at a university) on entrepreneurship. In addition to this, Fatin is part of a high profile Saudi delegation at the US Saudi Business Opportunities Forum in Chicago this week.

Item Posted: April 29, 2010

Argentina Fellow Designated as Chairman

Martín Lagos, ’88, Argentina was appointed Chairman of the Governing Board of Universidad del CEMA on April 22, 2010. The Universidad del CEMA is the heir of CEMA (Centro de Estudios Macroeconomicos de la Argentina), a research and educational institution set up in 1979 to offer graduate studies (MBA's, MA in Economics, etc.) to Argentinean graduates unable to travel and attend American universities. The founding members of CEMA (Martín included) worked with excellence in mind, making it a very successful story from its beginning. In the nineties, CEMA evolved into University of CEMA, offering undergraduate careers as well. Among employers, this university is rated as one of the top two schools of Argentina.

Item Posted: April 21, 2010

Fellow from Sweden Makes Move

The transition is under way for Nicklas Lundblad, ’06, Sweden, as Google’s Senior Policy Counsel. His recent move from Sweden to Mountain View, California earlier this month has him working with Google’s global team on issues ranging from privacy to copyright over freedom of expression to policy issues for their products. In Nicklas’ words, he’s “having a field day. It is probably - for someone with a tech policy interest - the best job in the world.” To follow Google’s Public Policy blog, click here.

Item Posted: April 21, 2010

Sri Lanka Fellow on Minority Party List

Eran Wickramaratne, ’04, Sri Lanka was selected as one of United National Party’s (UNP) finalists (Sri Lank Daily Mirror). Harsha de Silva was also selected as a finalist for the UNP, which is why he was unable to come on fellowship for the Eisenhower Fellowships Multi Nation Program 2010. According to their website, UNP’s goal is to “be a strong political force in the Country” and “play a great part molding the future destinies of the people by creating unity among all communities in Sri Lanka through establishing goodwill and trust between different communities.”

Item Posted: April 21, 2010

Argentina Fellow Receives Recognition for Recent Book

La Fundación El Libro (The Book Foundation) awarded Honorable Mention to Silvia Bacher, ’01, Argentina, for her recent book, Tatuados por los medios (Tattoed by the Media). This juried award will be presented at a ceremony on April 23 in Buenos Aires at the International Book Fair. For more information from La Fundación El Libro's website (in Spanish), click here. See EF news archives for more details about Silvia’s book.

Item Posted: April 16, 2010

Fellow from Brazil Publishes Another Children’s Book

At the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, Flavia Lins e Silva, ’04, Brazil, signed the new "Diary of Pilar in Greece" (main character pictured left) and also negotiated the rights of the book. The book will become an animated film and has a tentative release in 2012. On a separate trip to promote her book in Paris, Flavia met up with Hedwige Pasquet, ’00, France and had lunch in the gardens of Gallimard Publisher House (pictured right).

Item Posted: April 16, 2010

EU Fellow Leaves European Commission

In an effort to begin an early retirement, Fabio Colasanti, ’92, European Union, left the European Commission’s Directorate General for Information Society & Media at the end of March. He will be sitting for the whole of 2010 in an international group that will assist in the reform of ICANN (International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). He will be the European government representative. Larry Strickling, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director of the NTIA, will represent the US government.

Colasanti has also become president of a small outfit based in London called the International Institute for Communications. They organize conferences, publish a magazine and run meetings for regulators.

Item Posted: April 16, 2010

Fellows in the News

Stuart Brotman, ’00, USA, discusses the link between internet access and unemployment rates in the United States (Business Week)

Sanjeev Sanyal, ’07, India, highlights urban democracy in India (Business Standard)

Item Posted: April 15, 2010

2010 Multi Nation Program Fellows Opening Seminar in Philadelphia

The 2010 Multi Nation Program (MNP) Fellows arrived in Philadelphia last week for their orientation and Opening Seminar. Twenty six Fellows from Belgium, Brazil, China, Germany, India, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Nigeria, Peru, Russia, Singapore, Turkey, USA and Zimbabwe were welcomed at the traditional Trustee Dinner on April 8. In addition to Fellows, Trustees, staff, and guests, the USA Fellows from Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Steering Committee were also on hand to welcome the new Fellows.

In his dinner remarks, EF President John Wolf challenged the Fellows to "[set] aside preconceptions, [to go] forward with an open mind – using Dwight Eisenhower’s tried and true formula that dialogue is a basis for understanding and that’s a basis for collaboration that really can change the world around us – to make it more just, more prosperous and more peaceful.” He also encouraged the MNP Fellows to have strategic goals clearly in mind as they undertake their travels in the United States, and to work toward tangible outcomes that they can implement when they return from their fellowships.

As part of their Opening Seminar activities, Fellows went on leadership expeditions to Philadelphia organizations such as Congreso de Latinos Unidos, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia Orchestra, One Point Public & Private Solutions, Philadelphia Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, andthe Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. The group also had the opportunity to engage with Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter (centered in photo above), recently named Honorary Chair of the EF Philadelphia Steering Commitee. The International Fellows departed for their individual travels on Saturday, April 10 and USA Fellow Steve Pelch from St. Louis started his program in Russia, the first USA Fellow to go on fellowship there.

Item Posted: April 15, 2010

Argentina Fellow Publishes Second Book

Diego Valenzuela, ’08, Argentina, released his second book, devoted to Argentine history. It is called Enigmas de la Historia Argentina, and is published by Sudamericana editors. It reflects on the constitution of Argentina and on the nation during the nineteenth century.

In addition to that, he has started to work in politics, and has temporarily suspended his activities as a journalist. Valenzuela said his “passion for public policy” gained speed during his 2008 fellowship and “pushed him to this challenging decision”. He will be developing his political project in the Partido Justicialista - very close to Francisco de Narvaez, who won the last legislative election in Argentina (defeating former president Nestor Kirchner).

Item Posted: April 9, 2010

Argentine Fellow Wins Award

Pablo Bereciartua, '03, Argentina, received the 2009 Premio "Ing. Antonio Marin", an award presented by the National Academy of Engineers to an outstanding engineer of under 40 years old. He was also named Dean of the newly created School of Engineering and Management at the Buenos Aires Institute. ITBA is the most prestigious school of engineering, technology and business in the country, considered a "local MIT". This endeavor is a main institutional initiative to offer upgraded and competitive research, human resources, and ideas to society. In October 2010, Pablo will help organize of the World Engineering Congress Engineering 2010 - Argentina, that will be held in Buenos Aires. This is the first time such an event will be held in Argentina and they are expecting more than 5,000 participants to discuss where engineering contributes to social development and economic prosperity.

Item Posted: April 6, 2010

Reporters Without Borders Awards Best Blogs

For the second year running, Reporters Without Borders has supported the Best Burmese Blogger Award, created by its partner organization, the Burma Media Association (BMA). The results were announced at a conference organized by the BMA at the end of February in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai. Thousands of Burmese Internet users helped to choose the winners by voting for their favorite blogs. Ten blogs received prizes. The best blog in the general category was Myanmar E-Books, while the best news blog was The Power of Fraternity. Thai free speech activist Supinya Klangnarong, ’07, Thailand, awarded the prizes on behalf of Reporters Without Borders. The winners will receive free website hosting or free Internet access for two years, paid for by Reporters Without Borders.

Item Posted: April 6, 2010

USA Fellow Discusses the Shift in the IT Quality Movement

Esther Baldwin, ’97 USA, was interviewed recently by MIT Sloan Management Review. As Intel Corp.’s Research Proliferation Manager, she explains how to help build a culture that breeds innovation companywide. The video series is available here and the interview here.

An excerpt: “Too many managers think innovation is just about brainstormed ideas. Esther Baldwin of Intel Corporation explains how measurement, rigor, and IT tools, applied to the innovation process, can fuel business growth. Innovation, like “quality,” is one of those notions that’s fuzzy to a lot of managers. If it’s hard to measure, it can be hard to think about. But Esther Baldwin is out to change that.

Item Posted: April 1, 2010

Indian Fellow to Present Lecture in Washington D.C.

Ratish Nanda, ’07, India, is the Projects Director of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. As part of the Garden & Landscape Studies, he will present a public lecture entitled “Working in Mughal Paradise: Restoring Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi & Bagh-e Babur, Kabul” at Dumbarton Oaks on Monday, April 19 at 5:30 pm. Click here for more information.

Item Posted: April 1, 2010

Back Row Left to right: Ben Bartlett, Bart Ruth, Hope Pjesky, Alex Dowse, David Dukes Front Row Left to Right: Denise Bartlett, Lynne Ruth, Patricia Dukes

Eisenhower Agriculture Fellows from Across the Country Gather for Conference in Washington, D.C.

Five Eisenhower Agriculture Fellows and their spouses joined over 70 individuals from around the globe at the 2010 Nuffield Contemporary Scholars Conference (CSC) held March 7-14 in Washington, DC, Harrisburg and Gettysburg, PA. Ben Bartlett, ‘99, Alex Dowse, 97, David Dukes, ’01, Hope Pjesky, ‘08, Bart Ruth, ’05, engaged in leadership training and discussions on developing a global understanding of issues and challenges facing agriculture today. The trip included a dinner at the residence of Governor Ed Rendell who is also Chairman Emeritus of the EF Philadelphia International Leadership Steering Committee. The Eisenhower Agriculture Fellows have developed an informal network with the Nuffield Farming Scholarship Program over the past several years, with two Eisenhower Fellows participating in the CSC’s held in the Netherlands in 2005 and Canada in 2008. The 2010 conference was attended by Nuffield Scholars from the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. Also joining the group were other agriculturists from the United States and the Netherlands. The 2010 CSC was facilitated by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the Pennsylvania Rural Leadership Program, and Eisenhower Fellows Hope Pjesky and Bart Ruth.

The Eisenhower Agriculture Fellows are geographically disbursed across the United States and planned their particpation in this gathering as their EF Day celebration. This Contemporary Scholars Conference was a wonderful opportunity for the Agriculture Fellows to further international collaboration and dialogue with the Nuffield Scholars as they related their individual fellowship stories, renewed their enthusiasm for the program, and exchanged ideas for raising the visibility of the fellowship.

Item Posted: April 1, 2010

Saudi Fellow in NYC for Saudi Capital Market Days

Khalid Alghuair, ’05, Saudi Arabia, represented Saudi Telecom Company on Monday, March 29 at the NYSE opening bell with his Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Twaijri (Chairman of Saudi Capital Market Authority) and other Saudi company executives during the Saudi Capital Market Days conference in New York City. To see a clip of the event, click here.

Item Posted: April 1, 2010

USA Fellow Supports Healthcare Bill

Chellie Pingree, ’97, USA, is featured in a New York Times article title “Six Districts, Two Sides, One Weekend”

An excerpt: “Even in Representative Chellie Pingree’s liberal district in southern Maine, the celebration was tempered. At a reception and dinner here promoting gay rights on Saturday night, a revolving door of well-wishers — mostly liberals and mainstream Democrats — shook Ms. Pingree’s hand and thanked her for backing President Obama’s health care bill.”

Read the full article at the link above.

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Click here to read Fellow News from March 2010; or click here to read news from prior months.

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