Upcoming Events

Policy Roundtable Maximizing the Economic and Cultural Impact of The University of Texas at Dallas (June 28)

Recognizing China's growing importance to North Texas, the Dallas Committee on Foreign Relations will convene a policy roundtable to elicit ideas for maximizing the economic and cultural impact of the new Confucius Institute at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD). The luncheon will be at 11:45am on June 28 at the Crow Collection of Asian Art, located at 2010 Flora Street in Dallas.

Invited speakers include:

• The Honorable Zha Weiping, Education Consul, Consulate General of the People's Republic of China, Houston, Texas
• Dr. Da Hsuan Feng, Special Assistant to the President for Global Strategies and International Relations, The University of Texas at Dallas
• Dr. Dennis M. Kratz, Dean, School of Arts and Humanities, The University of Texas at Dallas

UTD recently received approval from China to found the first Confucius Institute in Texas. The University is awaiting final approval from the UT System Board of Regents and anticipates initiating the institute this September. Similar to the Goethe-Institut and Alliance Francaise, Confucius Institutes around the world work to enhance understanding of China through university-based partnerships that emphasize the study of Chinese language and culture. Established in cooperation with China Three Gorges University, the Confucius Institute at UTD will accomplish this by founding a China studies center for the business community, teachers, and students; promoting the bidirectional translation of Chinese and American literature; organizing events to increase public awareness and appreciation for Chinese culture; and promoting scholarly study and research on China

At the DCFR Policy Roundtable, project leaders from UTD and the Consulate General of China in Houston will make brief statements about the substance and status of their plans. These will be followed by a lively, collegial, and off-the-record discussion that invites your feedback on the following questions:

• How can the Confucius Institute contribute to making North Texas a leading center for intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement with Asia?
• How can the Confucius Institute best create a cohesive and coordinated approach to understanding China and its significance to North Texas? Has UTD identified the right strategies for doing so?
• Recognizing that economic development and cultural understanding go hand in hand, how can the Confucius Institute make North Texas more competitive in the global economy?
• What can the Confucius Institute do to help you face challenges and enhance your experience working in China?

[ FYI Index ]

SIA to Co-sponsor NANOTX'07 Conference in Dallas (Oct. 3-4)

The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) will co-sponsor the International Nanotechnology Week conference and trade expo - "nanoTX'07" - at the Dallas Convention Center from October 2 through 4, 2007.

"The importance of the coming transition from conventional semiconductor devices to products based on nanotechnology cannot be overstated," said Dr. Pushkar Apte, vice president for Technology Programs at SIA. "For more than 50 years, progress in science and technology has resulted in strong economic growth, high productivity and high wages, and advances in health, medicine and security. SIA would like to ensure that the innovation ecosystem for nanoelectronics research stays vibrant in the future, with increasing engagement between industry, government and academia to address the difficult challenges of the nanotechnology era. SIA is very pleased to cosponsor nanoTX'07 to bring together researchers from industry and academia who are leading the way into the nanotechnology era."

Organizers in Texas had labored for many years to create an event unique in nanotechnology, geared largely for the business interests and products rapidly emerging from independent labs and universities. By 2006 the conference and expo, held each year in Dallas, attracted representation from about 30 countries including Korea, Israel, Japan, China, Canada, India, Belgium. "We are delighted and honored that SIA is now joining with us to present nanoTX'07," said Ashley Cockerill, VP and Event Coordinator for nanoTX'07 and a physicist with years at IBM. "The semiconductor industry has always been one of the leaders in nanotechnology, and the ever increasing complexity of semiconductor circuits is driving even more innovation and research in nanotechnology."

SIA joins the Association for Manufacturing Excellence, NASA, Lockheed Martin, IEEE, EPA, MANCEF, CDC, Ohio University, UTD, NIOSH, and other organizations in sponsoring nanoTX'07. A complete list of sponsors and Highlights at a Glance can be seen at www.nanotx.biz.

nanoTX'07 Conference and Trade Expo is held at the Dallas Convention Center October 3-4, 2007, during International Nanotechnology Week, preceded by the highly renowned Nobel Laureates Legends evening on October 2. This year the evening features the Buckyball Discovery Team Reunion, festivities, program.