Upper Iowa University News

	Upper Iowa University News \| Press Kit

	Press Kit \| UIU Home Page

Lt. Gov. addresses group of Upper Iowa University international students visiting Iowa

Des Moines, Iowa (May 11, 2006) – As part of a summer exchange program, twenty-three students visiting from Upper Iowa University’s international center in Hong Kong toured the Iowa State Capitol today. Before the actual tour began, Lieutenant Governor Sally Pederson took time from her busy schedule to personally meet with the group of students and welcome them to Iowa.

Pederson spoke to the group about education and the importance of international relations to Iowa. “Even though we are landlocked here in the Midwest, this does not mean the Asian countries are that far away,” said Pederson. “With technology and trade the way it is today, we are all connected, making the world a much smaller place.” Pederson also talked about Iowa’s rich legislative history and explained the significance of several artifacts in her office.

While staying on UIU’s Fayette campus for the next several weeks, the students will be taking an ethics course as part of their undergraduate degree. The trip to Des Moines is an extension of that course in an effort to demonstrate how ethics and ethical practices can vary within professions, countries and between cultures.

According to Celina Peerman, UIU director of organizational development and tour organizer, “Like the State of Iowa and Lt. Gov. Pederson, UIU understands the importance of developing international relationships to work collaboratively to provide educational opportunities for tomorrow’s leaders.” She added, “For many of these students, this may be their only trip to the U.S. in their lifetime.”

Although the students actually study at Upper Iowa’s Hong Kong center, some are from mainland China or other parts of the region. They are pursuing majors in a variety of business fields, psychology, communications and management information systems.

Upper Iowa University has held classes in Hong Kong since 1999 and currently has centers in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Canada. Approximately 1,500 students complete their bachelor’s degree each year through UIU’s programs abroad. Upper Iowa University continues to identify additional needs and looks forward to collaboration and expansion into Southeast Asia in the coming years.

For more information about Upper Iowa University’s international program, go to www.uiu.edu.

About Upper Iowa University

Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing educational excellence and leadership development to approximately 6,000 students – both nationally and internationally -- at our traditional campus in picturesque Fayette, Iowa; through our various online degree programs; at our U.S. centers; via our correspondence program; and at our international centers in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Vancouver. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in the delivery of accredited, quality education and is proud of its diverse range of student populations and progressive, flexible options for traditional and non-traditional students of all ages. To learn more about Upper Iowa University, its degree programs, locations and renowned scholars, please visit us at www.uiu.edu.

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Iowa Lieutenant Governor Sally Pederson took time from her busy schedule to personally meet with a group of Upper Iowa University international students visiting from its Hong Kong center. Pederson welcomed the group to Iowa and spoke to them about education and the importance of international relations to Iowa. The students will be on the Fayette campus for the next several weeks taking an ethics course as part of their UIU undergraduate degree.

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Upper Iowa University
Public Relations
Sheila Miller, Director
563-425-5326
millers@uiu.edu

Upper Iowa University
Public Relations
P.O. Box 1859
Fayette, IA 52142-1859