Northwest College

Academic Activities

International Studies Scholar Lecture Series

The following events comprise the International Studies Scholar Lecture Series programs hosted by Northwest College:

  • Mr. Daoud Yaqub, a key participant and behind-the-scenes insider in Afghanistan's unfolding history and political transition over the last decade, will lecture on October 10, 2012.  Mr. Yaqub has held a number of different posts giving him a unique view of Afghan politics including:  the former Executive Director of the Afghanistan Foundation (Washington D.C.), member of the Bonn Conference that formed the post-Taliban government, Deputy Spokesperson and Senior Foreign Policy Aide in the office of the President of Afghanistan and other International Affairs and Security Council positions.  He currently is a PhD candidate at Durham University in the United Kingdom.
  • Critically acclaimed author and field staff writer for National Geographic Magazine, Mark Jenkins, will be the March 22, 2012, International Studies Scholar speaker.  His topic will be "The Healing Fields:  The Legacy of War and the Search for Miss Landmine Cambodia."  A global journalist, Jenkins covers the world writing about geopolitical issues, from landmines in Cambodia to HIV/AIDS in Botswana, ethnic cleansing in Burma to mountaineering in Pakistan.  He is author of four books and publishes in over 50 national and international magazines and newspapers.
  • A forum focusing on Understanding the China-U.S Challenge: Globalization, Economic Development, and a Future of Shared Dependence features Dr. Zhenjiang Ning, Professor of History, Shanghai University, Dr. Qiao Jin, Lecturer and Researcher, Institute of Social Science Survey of Shanghai, Shanghai University, Dr. Thomas Seitz, International Studies Program (UW), and Dr. Jean Garrison, Director of International Studies (UW) on October 24th, 2011.
  • Ydumduma Bill Harney, an Elder and Senior custodian of the Wardaman people of the Victoria, Flora and Katherine River Districts of the North Territory of Australia, is widely regarded as a Master story teller or songman of his people; his fame is both national and international. An artist and author, he builds didjeridu instruments and has paintings displayed all over the globe. He lectured at Northwest College on February 3rd, 2011.
  • Sean Anderson, Professor in Political Science at Idaho State presented "The Rise of Iran and the Modern Middle East,"  on October 19, 2010.  Issues discussed included the nuclear weapons crisis in Iran, the emergence of al-Qaeda and other terrorism groups, and the rise of Islamic fundamentalism.
  • Mark Jenkins presented "Guns, Gorillas and Laptops:  How We All Are Unwittingly Connected," March 1, 2010.  Through award-winning photography he unveiled a dangerous journey into Virunga National Park, in eastern Congo, to determine who has been killing the mountain gorillas.  This story first appeared in National Geographic magazine.