UT Tyler Patriot Spotlight

August 12, 2016

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Patriot Spotlight: UT Tyler Fulbright Scholar Speaks at U.S. Embassy in Bangkok

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August 12, 2016

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

UT Tyler Fulbright Scholar to Myanmar Dr. Robert Sterken, Jr. recently spoke about the American presidential election process at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok as part of the Fulbright East Asia Pacific Regional Travel Program. The seminar was attended by Her Royal Highness, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Glyn Davies and military cadets from the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy.

Created in 1946, the Fulbright Program is a prestigious international exchange initiative that awards grants to American scholars each year to teach or conduct research in the more than 125 participatory nations throughout the world.

An associate professor of political science, Sterken is representing UT Tyler this year in Southeast Asia, researching and teaching religion and politics, human rights and international law at Yangon University. He also has been working collaboratively with international partners in educational, political, cultural and economic fields.

Sterken teaches UT Tyler graduate and undergraduate courses in international relations, international law, religion and politics, Asian politics and American government. He previously served as the UT Tyler associate provost for international programs and as the university's special assistant to the president for legislative and external affairs.

Sterken's work in the international arena has afforded him many opportunities to travel, teach and study globally. He regularly taught in the international Compass Program in which students study international relations in five European cities. He also led a UT Tyler travel study course to Cambodia, where students studied Asian politics and culture.

In addition, Sterken was instrumental in forming UT Tyler's Quality Enhancement Plan during its successful Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation reaffirmation in 2010, which led to the creation of the Global Awareness Through Education Program.

The Fulbright Program aims to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries, and it is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government. Senator Fulbright's goal of developing international understanding depends on a commitment from Fulbright grantees to establish open communication and long-term cooperative relationships.

For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit us.fulbrightonline.org/.