Indiana University's long and storied history of international engagement dates back more than a century and spans the globe. But few countries hold quite the connection that Thailand does.
For 70 years, IU has enjoyed a rich history of partnership with Thailand, one of the university's longest official relationships with a global partner. As the university rapidly approaches its bicentennial celebration, IU's many educational and institution-building initiatives in Thailand -- and its activities across much of Southeast Asia -- continue to translate into numerous student and scholarly exchanges, international service opportunities, faculty research collaborations and genuine friendships that have transformed lives both in Thailand and in the Hoosier state.
Today, nearly 60 students from Thailand are enrolled at IU. As with all of IU's international students, they bring valuable cultural perspectives to the university's classrooms and enrich their local communities. IU also has welcomed many Thai faculty scholars and researchers to its Indiana campuses over the years.
Description of the following video:
[Words appear in upper-left corner: Indiana University presents]
[Video: Historical palaces and ornate statues in Bangkok, Thailand, are shown.]
Michael A. McRobbie, president of Indiana University, speaks in voiceover: ASEAN, as an organization, has been in existence now for many, many decades.
[Video: White lettering with the IU trident and "Indiana University ASEAN Gateway" is shown on a red wall.]
McRobbie speaks in voiceover: But what's important from Indiana University's point of view is that, in many of those countries, …
[Video: McRobbie is speaking at a meeting of The Asia Foundation. He is standing at a podium.]
McRobbie speaks in voiceover: … we have longstanding histories of engagement.
[Video: McRobbie appears on camera.]
[Words appear: Michael A. McRobbie; President, Indiana University]
McRobbie speaks: We are here in Thailand because it's the 70th anniversary of what has really been an extensive history of engagement in this country, dating to the '50s …
[Video: An old photograph is shown. Former IU President Herman B. Wells can be seen, posing with a group of individuals from Thailand. He is sitting in a chair, while everyone else is standing around him.]
McRobbie speaks: … when President Wells actually started the process of our engagement with Thailand.
[Video: A photograph of former U.S. President Barack Obama is shown. He is standing at a podium speaking, standing next to former Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.]
McRobbie speaks in voiceover: President Obama drew attention to the importance of ASEAN. This was going to be an alternative part …
[Video: Historical palaces and ornate statues in Bangkok, Thailand, are shown.]
McRobbie speaks in voiceover: … of the world for the United States to engage with, …
[Video: Marty Natalegawa, the former foreign minister of Indonesia, speaks at the podium at the Asia Foundation meeting.]
McRobbie speaks in voiceover: … and I think that's true for us academically as well.
[Video: McRobbie appears on camera.]
McRobbie speaks: I'm particularly proud of the fact that the first-ever United States ambassador to the ASEAN region was an …
[Video: David Carden, former ambassador to ASEAN, speaks at the Asia Foundation meeting.]
McRobbie speaks: … IU alumnus, David Carden. So, it is a consistent history of …
[Video: McRobbie stands for a group photo in Thailand.]
McRobbie speaks in voiceover: bilateral engagement between Thailand as a country …
[Video: The Bangkok skyline can be seen at sunset.]
McRobbie speaks in voiceover: … and multiple institutions and Indiana University.
[Screen goes to black]
[IU trident appears]
[Words appear: Indiana University]
[Words appear: Fulfilling the promise]
[Words appear: iu.edu]
[END OF TRANSCRIPT]