Howard Payne University President Dr. Bill Ellis recently returned from a trip to Oxford, England, where he attended The Oxford Conclave on Higher Education. Dr. Ellis was one of six university presidents from the U.S. invited to attend the conference, held at Balliol College in Oxford, England, and sponsored by Samford University.
The conclave centered on the idea of attracting international students to university campuses and sending students to study abroad. Presentations were made on the topics of “Responding to Global Change” and “Trends in International Higher Education.”
Dr. Andrew Graham, master of Balliol College, spoke to the group on methods their university used to pursue international education programs.
One afternoon the group met with Dr. Richard Carwardine, president of Corpus Christi College of Oxford. They also attended an Evensong service at Christ Church.
Dr. Ellis found the conclave to be very beneficial in sharing ideas between the university presidents and plans were made to develop and build international programs at their respective universities.
“We are looking at strategies to recruit more international students to HPU,” he said. “Plans are also underway to coordinate and centralize the study-abroad programs for our students.”
Photo provided by Dr. John Knapp. Pictured in the Great Hall of Balliol College, Howard Payne University President and First Lady, Drs. Bill and Diana Ellis (middle row, third and fourth from left), enjoyed attending The Oxford Conclave on Higher Education held on the campus of Balliol College at the University of Oxford.
