Daniels Heads Back to Japan

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels will lead a trade delegation to Japan next month, reports Inside INdiana Business. It will be his fourth trip to the Asian nation since becoming governor.

Note: His father, also named Mitch Daniels, founded the Japan-America Society of Indiana, which celebrates its 20th anniversary next week.

JASI Celebrates 20th Anniversary Next Week

Bracelet Project Aids West African Education

Lydia Fischer and Lyndsay McBride (pictured), students at the University of Indianapolis, created Inches International after a service trip to Liberia last year.

Fischer, McBride and several other UIndy students, staff and faculty members raised money and spent three weeks in Liberia in May 2007 working alongside residents of a rural village – without running water or power tools – to build a six-classroom schoolhouse. Fischer and McBride couldn’t shake the idea that they should somehow continue the mission, the school reported.

The two students, both graphic design majors, designed the bracelets, a logo, a brochure and a Web site to publicize the project. Available in nine colors, the bracelets bear ruler marks and the phrase "by inches". The students contracted with a sheet metal company to produce the items at a cost of about a dollar each, which means the vast majority of the $5 purchase price is funneled to a United Methodist-affiliated charity, Operation Classroom, to fund schooling for children in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

They've already sold more than 1,000 bracelets -- for every 20 bracelets sold, an impoverished African child can attend a year of school.

ISU: Partner in New Moroccan University

Indiana State University has taken its eight-year-old partnership with higher education in Morocco to a new level by signing an agreement with a leading businessman and philanthropist who envisions a new International University in Morocco, reports the ISU news bureau.

The agreement calls for Indiana State and Group Chaabi YNNA Holding to conduct an in-depth feasibility study of a not-for-profit private university mid-way between Rabat and Casablanca.

Indiana State’s partnership with Morocco higher education began in 2000 and was formalized in 2002 when Benjamin signed agreements with Hassan II University-Mohammedia and Al Akhawayne University.

Since then, more than 300 students, faculty and administrators have participated in exchange programs and the partnership has grown to include several Moroccan universities, the Ministry of Higher Education, the Moroccan High Council of Education Development and such organizations as the U.S. Agency for International Development, the World Bank and Higher Education Development.

Existing partnerships include a higher education leadership program involving 14 Moroccan universities, a sport management program with universities and the Royal Soccer Federation and a program in which Indiana State assisted in developing the first social work program in Morocco at Hassan II University.

Current projects include a visit by 40 ISU faculty and students to Morocco to work with Moroccan students and faculty in the area of social work. Indiana State is also partnering with Morocco on the development of a national educational accreditation system - a project that has attracted the attention of the World Bank, which is interested in sharing ISU’s work with other North African and Middle East nations.

The agreement between Indiana State and the Chabbi Group calls for a study phase of approximately 180 days during which each entity will assign a working group to analyze and develop a proposal that will detail the nature of future collaboration, including a business plan and an agreement on the role each will play in developing the new campus. ISU will share its expertise in such critical areas as information technology, library and media services, student housing, and records systems. The Chabbi Group will provide financial support with ISU providing technical assistance and administrative leadership toward the proposed American-style campus.

The Chabbi Group, with annual revenues of $1.7 billion, is Morocco’s largest employer. It has previously financed the start-up of a technical school in Morocco and is building residence halls for several Moroccan universities.

...in case you were wondering....

A server at the College of Liberal Arts at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis failed over the weekend, taking down the website for the Nationalities Council of Indiana.

They're working on repairs, so don't change your bookmarks yet!

NOTE: IUPUI hosts the NCI website as a public service, and we're very grateful. We promise to be patient while the right parts are located and the server put back in service!

UPDATE:
Our site is back up, but the server's not ready to take changes -- so our calendar of events is woefully out of date.

Nationalities Council Stars in "500" Festival Parade

The Lion Dance snakes its way down Pennsylvania Street as members of ethnic groups in the Nationalities Council of Indiana participate in this year's "500" Festival Parade in downtown Indianapolis.

Want to see more? Come to this year's International Festival! It'll be held 20-23 November 2008 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

New Zealander Wins the Big One

Scott Dixon, who led for 115 of the 200 total laps, won the 92nd Indianapolis 500-Mile Race yesterday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

This is the first "500" win for the native of New Zealand.

Vitor Meira of Brazil was second, and Marco Andretti, an Italian-American, came in third.

The 93rd Indy "500" is 24 May 2009.

Lilly Foundation Gives to China, Burma Relief Efforts

Lilly Foundation, the charitable arm of Eli Lilly and Co., announced that it is giving $1.1 million to relief organizations working in China and Myanmar (Burma), according to The Indianapolis Business Journal.

To help with relief efforts after a massive earthquake in China, the foundation is giving $800,000 in antibiotics, and possibly insulin and mental health medications later. The foundation also will give $175,000 in cash to Project HOPE and Mercy Corps., and will match up to $25,000 in employee contributions to the American Red Cross China Relief Fund.

In Myanmar, where a cyclone and flooding killed thousands, Lilly Foundation will give $100,000 in cash to Save the Children and World Vision.

"Tibet Night" Scheduled for 31 May

The International Tibet Independence Movement will host a "Tibet Night" at 7 p.m. 31 May.

It'll take place at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 100 West 86th Street, Indianapolis, and will include Tibetan food, culture, a short movie and "lots of opportunities to talk with others interested in Tibet".

Intended as a fundraiser, the suggested donation is $15 for adults and $10 for students. Reservations, email. For more information, contact Larry Gerstein, president of ITIM.

Two Worlds, One Language Gala Tickets Available

Tickets for the Grand Gala Opening Celebration and Dinner for "Two Worlds, One Language Through Art" on 28 June are available from Kelly Lamm, 317:255-2465 x260.

"Two Worlds, One Language Through Art" is a series of programs, workshops and lectures based on a cultural exchange with artists from Shandong College of Arts (Jinan, China) taking place at the Indianapolis Art Center 27 June through 24 August.

Latin Sounds to Fill the Artsgarden Wednesday

Roberto Montenero and the Jazzmen will play a free concert from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. tomorrow (14 May) in the Indianapolis Artsgarden, above the intersection of Illinois and Washington streets, downtown.

The group plays a variety of music, focusing on Latin sounds.

Confucius in West Lafayette

Purdue University has a Confucius Institute, as does Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis.

In partnership with Purdue's China Center, CIP promotes Chinese programs and studies on China, initiate and foster Chinese language and cultural programs to serve Purdue University, the greater Lafayette community and the State of Indiana.

It provides information and expertise on Chinese culture and language education in business, global engineering and tourism for academic programs, research project teams, community outreach and K-12 schools.

Seems there are now 210 institutes in 64 countries, with a total of 500 planned by 2010.

Once upon a time, Germany had Goethe Institutes everywhere. Guess we can see where power is shifting these days.

Benefit for Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation

An evening of music by the Pandya Family is planned from 5:30-7:30 p.m. 1 June at the India Community Center, 4420 West 56th Street, Indianapolis.

Although admission is free, this is a fundraiser, sponsored by the Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of the United States to benefit primary education in rural India.

The foundation is a charitable trust that initiates, supports, and runs non-formal one-teacher schools (popularly known as "Ekal Vidyalayas") all over the country.

The foundation's Indianapolis coordinators are Vimal Patel, 317:409-0113, and Kumar Dave, 317:889-7328.

Gary Visits Fuxim

A 23-member delegation from Gary, led by Mayor Rudy Clay (pictured), leaves Saturday for a week-long visit to China, reports Inside INdiana Business. They return 18 May.

The group will also include 15 businessmen, five city workers and two educators. The trip will include visits to Chinese manufacturers in hopes of bringing investment to Gary. Officials will also sign agreements to create a sister-city relationship with the city Fuxim and create relationships with two trade organizations.

Summer Intensive Program for Hindi and Urdu

Interested in learning the languages and cultures of India/Pakistan? The India Studies Program at Indiana University in Bloomington will offer an intensive four-week Hindi-Urdu course (equivalent to one semester of university-level instruction) from 13 June through 11 July.

The SIPHUR program, targeted at middle and high school students, is residential -- and students selected for inclusion will receive free meals and lodging. SIPHUR is funded by STARTALK, one of the projects of the National Security Language Initiative that is aimed at increasing the number of Americans learning critical-need foreign languages, such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Hindi, Persian, and others.

For more information, contact Dr. Sungok Hong, 812:855-6697, send an email or go to the website.

International School Students Declared "Engenius"

Students from the International School of Indiana in Indianapolis have claimed first place in a high school design competition conducted by Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's Engenius Solutions student enterprise.

According to Inside INdiana Business, the five students proposed to design a portable device to assist asthma patients and medical caregivers. The team won $2,000 to continue to study the idea and possibly produce prototypes for testing and marketing.

4th Annual Latino Swing Golf Outing

Less fortunate Hoosier Latino families will benefit from the fourth annual Latino Swing Golf Outing, set for 16 May at the Brickyard Crossing Golf Course at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Registration and a continental breakfast precede an 8 a.m. shotgun start.

The fundraiser is sponsored by Latino Community Development in partnership with the Indiana State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Cost is $1200 for a foursome or $300 for an individual player. To sign up, contact LCD, 317:258-3937.

Indy Ethnic Food Celebrates Fifth Anniversary

Longtime readers of The Ethnic Hoosier, the monthly newsletter of the Nationalities Council of Indiana, may remember when Drew Appleby told the world he'd been collecting a list of Indy's ethnic and regional restaurants (we included it on our NCI website until it went "live").

That personal quest, begun in 1999, has grown into an online database launched in May 2003 that (as of this morning) includes 816 restaurants, 150 markets and bakeries, 141 festivals, 2,958 restaurant reviews, 2,654 recipes, and 697 registered patrons.

IndyEthnicFood.com now is a 501(c)3 non-profit foundation with no commercial sponsors. It's a direct result of the partnership between Dr. Appleby, Director of Undergraduate Studies in Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, and John Baldwin, Director, Information Technology for Riley Children's Foundation.

Drew began compiling comprehensive lists of the international and American regional restaurants, markets, and festivals in the Indianapolis area in 1999 and distributed them to a group of approximately 350 Indianapolis food enthusiasts via E-Mail. John converted these lists into a database system in the Spring of 2003 and connected it to a dynamic web site.

Its mission statement is simple: IndyEthnicFood is an educational website designed to increase public awareness of the cultural diversity of cuisine in Indianapolis and its surrounding communities.

Full disclosure: Your favorite blogger is a member of Indy Ethnic Food's advisory council and maintains its list of ethnic and food festivals.

Immersion Spanish Institutes

Many experts say immersion is the best way to learn a second language. Short of moving to Mexico, what's a Hoosier to do?

One idea: an Immersion Spanish Institute sponsored by Continuing Studies at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis. The next beginning level institute is the week of 9-13 June (with a reprise 4-8 August). From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each of those weeks, it's all Spanish, all the time in IUPUI's Cavanaugh Hall, 425 University Boulevard, Indianapolis. Cost is $559 (plus parking permit); Amy Bomke-Keating is the instructor.

There are more Immersion Spanish Institutes scheduled this summer for levels II, III, IV and advanced conversation, too.

For more information, go online or call 317:278-7600.

Attracting Talent to Indiana

"Working with the World: Attracting Talent to Indiana" is the topic for a conference from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 6 June in the Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel, 31 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis.

Indiana Supreme Court Justice Theodore Boehm is the keynote speaker at the conference geared toward business professionals. It's sponsored by the International Center of Indianapolis, 317:955-5150.

Close to 10,000 Foreign Students Choose Purdue or IU

According to a report in the 21-27 April 2008 issue of The Indianapolis Business Journal, Purdue University is third in foreign student enrollment among all United States public and private colleges with 4,994 enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs.

Indiana University is 15th, with 4,027 foreign students in undergraduate and graduate programs.

Both schools have seen increases of more than 10% in foreign student enrollment since 2005. Neither total includes students outside either the Bloomington (for IU) or West Lafayette (for Purdue) main campuses, so the actual numbers for the state-wide systems are higher.

Tour the IMA in French or Chinese

The next "World Language Tour" at the Indianapolis Museum of Art will take visitors through the European galleries in French. Meet at the entrance to Gallery Level 1 at 6:30 p.m. 15 May for the free tour.

Rather hear it in Chinese? Meet on Gallery Level 1 at the IMA at 2 p.m. 17 May for a free tour of the Contemporary Galleries.

Kenyans Are Top Winners in Mini Marathon

Kenyans Lamech Mokono and Valentine Orare were neck-in-neck at the men's finish of the 13.1-mile 500 Festival Mini-Marathonrace – so neck-in-neck that race officials had to review the videotape and still photographs before determining a clear-cut winner, according to race organizers. It was decided that both men were declared winners and would each get a full first-place prize purse of $3,500. The pair ran the course in 1:02.53., while Kenyan native Reuben Chebii took third.

The top women's finisher was also a Kenyan, Janet Cherobon, whose time of 1:14:11 made her champion for the second year in a row, reports The Indianapolis Star.

Mardirossian Joins IU School of Music Faculty

The Indiana University Jacobs School of Music has announced that violin virtuoso and world-renowned teacher of the instrument Kevork Mardirossian (pictured) will join the faculty this fall.

A former concertmaster of the Plovdiv Philharmonic Orchestra (Bulgaria), Mardirossian performed as concerto soloist and recitalist throughout Bulgaria, the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe before moving to Europe, where he developed an impressive solo career, with tours of England, Wales, Italy and the U.S., including debuts in London and New York's Carnegie Recital Hall in 1992.

He has appeared as guest artist at international music festivals in Cheltenham, England; the European Cultural Months; the International Chamber Music Festival in Plovdiv, Bulgaria; the Czech Festival in Trento, Italy; and the Sofia Musical Weeks, Bulgaria.

Between 1988 and 1990, Mardirossian was concertmaster of the Baton Rouge Symphony, after which he was appointed artist-in-residence in violin at the University of Central Arkansas. In 1995, he was appointed as violin professor at the College of Music and Drama at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

As a member of the prize-winning Mardirossian-Phillips violin-piano duo, Mardirossian has toured the U.S., England, Bulgaria, Italy, France, Spain, Japan and China. Mardirossian is also a member of the Kapelle Piano Trio, with which he founded the Strings and Piano Chamber Music Festival in Heber Springs, Ark. He joined the faculty of the International Institute at Round Top, Texas, in 2001.

Mardirossian conducts violin master classes for advanced violinists in Bulgaria, held yearly in the D. Petkov Conservatory. He also presents regular master classes at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Boston University, Longy College, Oberlin Conservatory, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the Seville, Granada and Cadiz Conservatories in Spain, Shanghai Conservatory and Sofia Musical Weeks Festival Academy.

Heraeus Kulzer Moves to South Bend

A German manufacturer of dental products is moving its North American headquarters to South Bend, adding 45 workers to 61 who already work at a plant on the city’s south side, reports the Indianapolis Business Journal.

Heraeus Kulzer’s existing North American headquarters are in the New York suburb of Armonk.

Indiana Economic Development Corp. said it provided $648,500 in tax credits and training grants, based on the company’s hitting performance goals.

Heraeus Kulzer GmbH, a subsidiary of the precious metals and technology group Heraeus, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of dental products, with headquarters in Hanau, Germany, and subsidiaries in the US, Europe, and Asia. As a system provider and service partner for dental offices and dental laboratories, with more than 1,500 employees worldwide,