September 2007
A letter from President Wolf
With summer’s end, thoughts turn to this fall’s Common Interest Program. This one will be different, with a focus on one issue by Fellows from twelve countries, including the U.S. Not only will we have a common theme – Challenges of Urbanization – but also we have divided the Fellows into five separate teams, and part of their travel will be in groups to visit two cities each (in addition to their own specific itineraries). The purpose of this is to deepen the fellowship experience, provide a basis for Fellows with different professional interests to share their insights, and to draw more powerful conclusions that they can take home.
Similarly, within the alumni network, the new events are meant to deepen the lifetime benefit of your fellowships. As Fellows noted at our June Ireland conference, “it is a network built on a special bond of trust.” Being part of that network brings many benefits – and we are working continuously to improve their value. But it also places responsibilities on all of you to contribute in a variety of ways – helping with nominations, helping program USA Fellows, helping to stimulate EF activities in your home countries, and helping us identify sources of funding in your home countries to help underwrite our growing agenda of activities. We’ve already seen wonderful initiatives in this respect last year in Northeast Asia and Turkey. We are working with Latin American Fellows to secure substantial funding for next year’s Latin America-focused programs. But this needs to be something that engages efforts of Fellows worldwide.
We are now nearly six months in our new office. While we miss the old house at 256 S. 16th Street, Fellows who visit our new home at 250 S. 16th Street will find there’s a lot that’s familiar. Not only did we bring the lock, but we brought a variety of gifts, photographs and the like. It’s a terrific new facility for staff and for Fellows. Come visit!
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EF Remembers Howe Yoon Chong
EF recently learned of the passing of Howe Yoon Chong, ’69, Singapore.
Howe, who studied business, banking, and urban development during his fellowship, was previously a minister in the Cabinet of Singapore and a member of Parliament for Potong Pasir from 1979 to 1984. He was key in developing Singapore’s infrastructural and financial framework, including the Mass Rapid Transit system, Singapore Changi Airport, and public housing.
Howe also served as a senior civil servant, holding the posts of CEO of the Housing and Development Board (HDB) (1960–1970); Chairman of the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA), Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office and Head of the Singapore Civil Service (1970–1979); Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of National Development (1979–1982); and Deputy Chairman of the Economic Development Board (EDB) (1979–1984). In addition, he served as Chairman of the Development Bank of Singapore (DBS) (1970–1979, 1985–1990), Great Eastern Life Assurance (1992–2000) and The Straits Holding Company (1992–2007).
Howe passed away on August 21, 2007. Several of Singapore's leaders, including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, attended Howe's wake. Howe's funeral was held at Mandai Crematorium on August 24.
Of his colleague, Geoffrey Moss, ’68, New Zealand, described Chong as “a gentleman with a great sense of humor. He will be missed.”
To read Singapore President S.R. Nathan’s memories of Howe, click here.
To read an article that documents Minister Mentor Lee’s relationship with Howe Yoon Chong, click here.
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Dalia Khalil, left, welcomes Dr. Maliki Osman, right, to the iEARN Conference in Egypt.
Two Eisenhower Fellows Involved in iEARN International Conference
iEARN (International Education and Resource Network)’s 14th Annual International Conference & 11th Youth Summit took place July 21-26, 2007 in Cairo. Dalia Khalil, ’05, Egypt, country coordinator of iEARN Egypt, organized the event.
As part of the conference, iEARN International and Eisenhower Fellowships hosted a reception that featured special guest Dr. Maliki Osman, ’05, Singapore, parliamentary secretary for the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports. Dr. Osman was also a plenary speaker at the conference.
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Fellows Collaborate for Special Publication
Melissa Little, ’06, Australia, recently collaborated with USA Fellow Robin Blatt, ’06, on an Australian edition of The Journal of BioLaw & Business, of which Blatt is publisher. The issue was distributed in May at the Bio Conference in Boston. Also collaborating on the publication are Fellows John Osborn, ‘98, USA, as contributing editor; and Stuart Brotman, ‘00, USA, as executive advisor.
Little was also recently appointed chief scientific officer of the Australian Stem Cell Centre. She is based at the Institute for Molecular Biology at the University of Queensland, where she leads a team researching the application of stem cell technologies to treat chronic kidney disease.
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Nigerian Fellows Pledge Funds for EF Alumni Activity
Nigerian Fellows Akin Kekere-Ekun, ’93, and Samaila Zubairu, ’06, have pledged $20,000 to jumpstart EF activity in Nigeria.
Zubairu, pictured at left, reports, “The nomination and selection process is our primary focus for now, but we are open to any suggestions on alumni activities.”
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Star, Australian Theater Production
Leah Purcell, ’04, Australia, is starring in “The Story of the Miracles at Cookie’s Table,” a play by Wesley Enoch. Presented by the Griffin Theatre Company and HotHouse Theatre, the production runs through September 22, 2007.
Purcell also recently met with 2007 USA Common Interest Program Fellow Andrea Cabral, who traveled to Australia for her fellowship. Cabral attended a performance of the play. |
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Member, Public Interest Oversight Board
Toshiharu Kitamura, ’86, Japan, professor of financial economics, Waseda University, was appointed as a member of the Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB) in June 2007, supported by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).
The PIOB, established in 2005 and based in Madrid, oversees the process of auditing and related international standard-setting activities. The PIOB’s eight members were nominated by the IOSCO, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, the International Association of Insurance Supervisors, and The World Bank.
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Martin Lagos, far right, presents at the IADI executive training program.
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Presenter, IADI Executive Training Program
Martin Lagos, ’88, Argentina, was recently a presenter at an executive training program held by the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI).
Hosted by the FDIC in Arlington, VA, the program was attended by directors and managers of some 25 deposit insurance agencies from around the world. Lagos, vice chairman of the board of SEDESA, gave Argentina’s presentation.
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Chinese Fellow Visits EF House
Zhang Wei Hua, ’98, China, recently visited EF House and met with President John Wolf, Vice President Dan Geisler, and Vice President of Programs John Sommer.
He toured the new house and presented President Wolf with a vase and commemorative book of stamps. Zhang is chairman of the Board of Directors, China Telecom, Shanghai Telecommunications Co. Ltd.
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New Position, ICICI Venture
Shailesh Pathak, ’00, India, has relocated to Mumbai to join ICICI Venture, India’s largest venture capital firm. At ICICI Venture, he will be working on investing in infrastructure and allied sectors. Pathak was previously head of the Public Private Partnership Initiative at Infrastructure Development Finance Company, Ltd. |
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Fellowship, Asian Leadership Fellow Program
Sriprapha Petcharamesree, ’04, Thailand, was awarded a fellowship with the Asian Leadership Fellow Program, which seeks to create a close, personal, and professional network of public intellectuals in Asia, deeply rooted and committed to civil society beyond their own cultural, disciplinary and geopolitical backgrounds. While on fellowship, Petcharamesree will research migrants and access to membership goods. Her fellowship is taking place in Tokyo.
Petcharamesree also reports that post-fellowship, she will be on sabbatical leave until May 2008, during which time she plans to write a book on her studies, including the research she did during her Eisenhower fellowship.
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Advisor, Mayor of Amman
Samer Asfour, ’05, Jordan, announced that in addition to his current position as CEO of Design Jordan, he has also been appointed as an advisor to the Mayor of Amman and as director for the Special Projects Units.
“This unit will be the heart to regenerate Amman again and make it a city with a soul,” reports Asfour. “My main purpose will be to build, direct and manage the Special Projects Unit into an effective and client focused organization that is able to provide a high level professional and technical service to GAM in the review of investor proposals for High Density Mixed Use real estate projects and making objective recommendations in a manner that benefits GAM and the community.”
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Co-Founder, Center for International Dialogue and Development
Hazem Kawasmi, ’05, Palestine, has co-founded the Center for International Dialogue and Development (CIDAD), a nonprofit organization for research, education, and practice on issues related to political, cultural, and religious dialogue and development. The CIDAD is based in Jerusalem. |
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Moderator, Media & Marketing Festival
Rabia Garib, ’07, Pakistan, recently participated in the Media & Marketing Festival held in Karachi in early September.
While there, she moderated a panel discussion on the new media environment. Garib is co-founder and CEO of Rasala Publications.
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Babson College & UNITAR Collaborate
Tengku Farith Rithauddeen, ’07, Malaysia, played an instrumental part in the recent collaboration between Babson College in Massachusetts and Universiti Tun Abdul Razak (UNITAR) in Malaysia. This collaboration is a direct result of Farith’s fellowship.
Babson College agreed to assist UNITAR develop its entrepreneurship education in Malaysia. Written agreements were signed by the Provost of Babson, Patricia G. Greene and CEO of UNITAR, Professor Dr. Mohd. Zabid Abdul Rashid.
Farith also recently published a book documenting his personal story with SKALI, the company of which he is group CEO and co-founder. The title of the book is SKALI Lagi, which translated means “one more time.” It was launched by the Deputy Prime Minister.
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