TULANE TALK

October 30, 2009

Good Morning:

Today’s Tulane Talk comes to you from Taiwan where I have been all week. I will return to New Orleans tomorrow.

The two objectives of the trip were to reconnect with our 800-plus alumni living here and to strengthen and expand our Taiwanese academic partnerships. We covered a lot of ground in four days, including separate meetings with the president and senior administrators of Taiwan National University, Asia University and China Medical University. At China Medical University, I allowed myself to be the patient for a demonstration of Chinese medicine, including acupuncture and other stress reduction techniques. I feel a lot better as a result. At each university we signed a Memorandum of Understanding for expanded relations in student exchanges and educational and research programs.

Our trip also included a visit to Lite-On Corporation, one of the leading technology companies in the world, and a stop at a Taiwanese winery that makes sake. (I participated in the sampling demonstration.)

I had an opportunity to meet with Taiwan’s vice president in a session that was scheduled for 30 minutes but lasted an hour longer. The topics ranged from disaster recovery to the world economy. I had separate meetings with the minister of health and education and also had an exciting visit to Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, which is the first medical tourist complex in the world. This new concept was extremely interesting to learn about and witness first-hand.

I was treated to a luncheon and banquet every day, mostly attended by our alumni and university officials from our partner institutions. Since each meal consisted of 12 courses, I ate well but healthily.

The trip was very productive. I was quite impressed with the dedication and commitment of our alumni and their desire and willingness to promote their organizations and ties to Tulane. Taiwan and its universities play an important part in Tulane’s global strategy and I am proud we have so many programs there. The Taiwanese are also very gracious hosts and I am already looking forward to my next visit.

Have a great weekend,