Singapore Hosts Schools of International Affairs

Earlier this month, Interim Provost Erik Lillquist, J.D., and Dean of the School of Diplomacy and International Relations, Courtney Smith, Ph.D., attended an annual meeting alongside deans from schools around the world hosted by the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA). APSIA’s mission is to help its member and affiliate schools, including Seton Hall’s School of Diplomacy, to improve professional education in international affairs and advance understanding of the topic, creating peace and security.

This year’s meeting was held in Singapore, hosted by the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. It featured 36 leaders from 30 APSIA member institutions, such as George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, and Australia National University’s Crawford School of Public Policy.

Together, member institutions shared their successes and challenges from the past year and attended small group discussions which worked towards solving common issues in international affairs education and offered insights and strategies to navigate the challenges of the contemporary academic landscape.

Frank Ashley, Acting Dean of the Texas A&M University Bush School of Government and Public Service, set the tone by hosting a session on academic freedom. Participants engaged in a comparative analysis of campus climates worldwide, emphasizing the pivotal role universities play as arenas for challenging conversations. They also emphasized the importance of upholding fundamental principles which highlight the truth while cultivating school cultures which promote respect.

Another discussion featured Dean Judith Kelley of the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy which included discussions towards leveraging local programs and expertise to enhance international affairs education. Attendees delved into the complex connections between regional and worldwide concerns, ranging from trade and migration to tech policy and cross-cultural communication.

Marie Laure Salles, Director of the Geneva Graduate Institute, stressed the importance of connecting curriculum with professional development. Participants explored methods to integrate professional development seamlessly into the core curriculum and discussed strategies to involve employers and practitioners in the academic environment.

A public event co-hosted by APSIA and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, which focused on “Multilateralism and the Rules-Based Order: What Remains?” was a featured panel of the annual meeting. Panelists included Arancha González, Dean of the Sciences of the Paris School of International Affairs, Danny Quah, Dean of the National University of Singapore Lee’s Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, and Dean ad Interim of the Tufts University Fletcher School, Kelly Sims Gallagher. They explored practical approaches to sustain multilateralism, particularly in domains like trade and climate policy.

When asked about his experience at this year’s meeting, Dean Smith said, “The APSIA deans meeting is a great opportunity to compare best practices with other international affairs programs to ensure that we are providing our students the best possible experience that prepares them for successful and rewarding careers.”

This year’s meeting of the APSIA member institutions was a successful one for Seton Hall University’s School of Diplomacy and International Relations. Featuring thought provoking discussions focusing on new ideas and issues facing international affairs institutions such as exchange programs, the impact of geopolitics, the implications of artificial intelligence, and more, the sessions provided Dean Smith and Interim Provost Lillquist insight and ideas to continue to grow and strengthen international affairs education at Seton Hall.

Categories: Nation and World