KNOXVILLE—This weekend, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek will join the likes of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in addressing the largest gathering of chief executive officers from universities around the world.
The Chancellor will be speaking at the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) Triennial conference, held every three years. This year’s conference is June 17—20 in New York City. Ki-moon will give the keynote address.
Chancellor Cheek is one of only eleven university CEOs from the United States selected to address this prestigious audience. The chancellor, along with Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education (CIRE) Director Lee Riedinger, will give a presentation about UT Knoxville and Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s collaboration to create an interdisciplinary doctorate in energy science and engineering, housed in CIRE.
When it officially opens in August, CIRE will offer one of the country’s first interdisciplinary doctoral degrees in energy science and engineering which will educate students in energy-related fields that are increasingly important to the state, country, and world. The curriculum was developed after a task force conducted interviews with leaders of energy-related industries such as Chevron, Dupont, Siemens, and Exxon Mobil to solicit insight into what they look for in the doctoral graduates they hire. The center will train scientists to take on the world’s most challenging energy problems and be skilled in turning scientific breakthroughs into business ventures. About twenty students are set to be part of the inaugural class.
Founded in 1964, IAUP is an association of university chief executives from higher education institutions around the world. Membership is limited to those individuals who serve as presidents, rectors, or vice chancellors at regionally accredited colleges or universities. IAUP is an NGO (non-governmental organization) holding the highest United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) consultation rights and formal consultation rights with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
For more information about the IAUP conference, including the entire program, visit www.iauptriennial.org.
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C O N T A C T :
Whitney Holmes (865-974-5460, wholmes7@utk.edu)