Yale program a melting pot of elites FEATURE 08/03/2011 NEW HAVEN — A Tunisian cyberdissident and a Russian blogger may not appear to have much in common, but they were brought together at Yale University in a program drawing elites from around the globe. Established 10 years ago, Yale’s “World Fellows” initiative has lured a diverse group of mid-career professionals deemed to be “emerging leaders” to the prestigious Ivy League school northeast of New York. Each year, 14 to 18 persons earn the right to spend a semester on the leafy campus in New Haven, Connecticut. Fellows — whose fees and living expenses are fully funded by the university — take classes but also offer guest lectures to undergraduates and meet with students to share their experiences. Program veterans include prominent Chinese AIDS activist Wan Yanhai, who is now living in the United States due to fears for his safety; Lebanese gallery owner Saleh Barakat; and Venezuelan opposition lawmaker Maria Corina Machado.

Yale program a melting pot of elites

FEATURE

08/03/2011
NEW HAVEN — A Tunisian cyberdissident and a Russian blogger may not appear to have much in common, but they were brought together at Yale University in a program drawing elites from around the globe.

Established 10 years ago, Yale’s “World Fellows” initiative has lured a diverse group of mid-career professionals deemed to be “emerging leaders” to the prestigious Ivy League school northeast of New York.

Each year, 14 to 18 persons earn the right to spend a semester on the leafy campus in New Haven, Connecticut. Fellows — whose fees and living expenses are fully funded by the university — take classes but also offer guest lectures to undergraduates and meet with students to share their experiences.

Program veterans include prominent Chinese AIDS activist Wan Yanhai, who is now living in the United States due to fears for his safety; Lebanese gallery owner Saleh Barakat; and Venezuelan opposition lawmaker Maria Corina Machado..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110803com5.html