Lance R. Askildson, Ph.D., Chief International Officer, Executive Director of the Institute for Global Initiatives at Kennesaw State University (KSU), hosted a private reception for Ambassador Sulunteh, Liberian Ambassador to the United States. Immediately following the reception, Ambassador Sulunteh and Honorary Consul General Blandford were invited to attend a private four-course catered lunch with each of the KSU College Deans.
The lunch meeting provided an intimate opportunity to discuss specific opportunities for engagement and collaboration with the government of Liberia and the higher education sector. Opportunities to provide or facilitate government training/education programs as well as public-private partnerships with the business sector were also anticipated as topics of discussion for this lunch.
KSU also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with University of Liberia’s President, Emmet Dennis earlier in the year where the focus on faculty and student exchange, STEM teacher training programs, Conflict Management scholarship programs, nursing program collaborations, culinary and hospitality opportunities and other efforts that support the University of Liberia and Kennesaw State University.
Plans were to travel to Senje Technical College in Liberia last year before the Ebola Crisis to discuss the culinary program opportunities with KSU. Hopefully, KSU will revisit this opportunity in the near-term.