Griffith University President and Vice Chancellor Professor Ian O’Connor has hosted a meeting with United States Consul General Hugo Llorens for discussions about the future of the Fulbright Program in Queensland.
The high-level meeting follows the announcement earlier this year that Professor Haig Patapan, Director of Griffith’s Centre for Governance and Public Policy, had been awarded a 2014 Fulbright Senior Scholarship.
“The Consul General wanted to meet Fulbright scholars, alumni and supporters and was investigating how his office could support the Fulbright Program,” Professor Patapan said.
“The potential for future research initiatives in Queensland that may be supported by the Consul General was also explored during a very useful meeting.
“He also expressed his intention and enthusiasm to engage more closely with the Fulbright community.”
Fulbright scholars and alumni joined members of the Australian-American Fulbright Commission and researchers from the Centre for Governance and Public Policy for the meeting at Griffith’s Nathan campus.
Consul General Llorens is the Principal Officer at the US Consulate General with responsibility for New South Wales, Queensland and Norfolk Island.
The Consul General maintains contact with senior Australian officials, both state and federal, within the consular district and keeps the Embassy and Washington informed of important political, economic and other developments affecting US interests.
Professor Patapan will depart for the United States in December to lead a new study of the US presidency, focusing initially on the stewardship of Barack Obama since he became the country’s 44th president in 2008.
He will be based at the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard Kennedy School.
“I will examine the role of moral leadership and how such a visionary role defines the nature of the institution of the presidency, and in turn shapes the character of democratic politics in America,” Professor Patapan said.
“I am looking forward to the start of the project, which will be especially instructive from an Australian perspective because it will provide a useful contrast to the office of the Prime Minister.”
Professor Patapan formally received the prestigious fellowship from the Australian-American Fulbright Commission at a presentation dinner at Brisbane City Hall in March.
