As part of the International Studies Forum, Fulbright Fellow Mustafa Izzuddin spoke to a nearly full Walter Hall auditorium Friday afternoon about globalization within an Indian native group called the Dawoodi Bohras.
In his speech, Izzuddin explained the culture and history of the Bohras, a Muslim group that originated in India and has populated other countries such as China and Malaysia.
The case of the Bohras is understudied
said Izzuddin. It's important to inform people about diversity within their own faith and within other faiths.
Many Center for International Studies students, like grad student Chris Flower, attended Izzuddin's lecture.
It's important that we be exposed to ... cultures that are still intact despite the homogenizing influence of globalization
said Flower, who is studying international development.
Izzuddin is visiting Ohio University for two months to further his research about international relations, particularly between Malaysia and China.
The biggest influence to study at OU was Alden Library's vast collection of Malaysian and Southeast Asian resources, Izzuddin said. Since early August, Izzuddin has been researching, interacting with other OU faculty and students, and even cheered in the Peden Stadium stands with other students.
There is a great cultural aspect (in studying here)
said Izzuddin. Fulbrights are encouraged to intermingle with the cultures they are studying in.
Associate Director of the Center for International Studies Karla Schneider, who helped plan the ISF event, also said that it is important for OU students to interact with others to get first-hand knowledge about a region.
We hope that students have the opportunity to think critically about issues and topics being discussed in international affairs
Schneider said.
Because Izzuddin's scholarship was sponsored by the Association for Southeast Asian Nations, OU's Southeast Asian Studies program sponsored Izzuddin's speech.
Ohio University is one of eight universities in its chapter that's recognized by the department of education as a national resource center by Southeast Asia
said Anthony Medrano, assistant director of the Southeast Asian Studies program. We want students to gain an understanding of globalization
the flows of people around the world and how these flows reflect the flows of ideas and interests.
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