On Thursday, September 19, 2024, Duke Kunshan University (DKU) Library together with Princeton University Press China Office (PUP China) welcomed Noah Pickus, Associate Provost at Duke University and Dean for Academic Strategy and Learning Innovation at DKU, for a Faculty Author Talk session. The event featured a discussion on Pickus’s newly published book, The New Global Universities: Reinventing Education in the 21st Century.
The book, co-authored by Bryan Penprase, addresses the challenges and opportunities in higher education, offering insights into how universities can adapt and innovate to meet the demands of the 21st century. The event was hosted by Dr. (Helen) Hong Xu, University Librarian at DKU Library. Zach Fredman, Associate Professor of History and Chair for the Division of Arts and Humanities at DKU, served as the moderator.
CLICK TO WATCH THE FULL RECORDING OF THE FACULTY AUTHOR TALK (NETID LOGIN REQUIRED)
Pickus, as the keynote speaker, highlighted the importance of global education and the need for universities to foster a culture of continuous improvement with the real cases of global universities covered in his book.
“They (global universities) didn’t want to fix something in universities that’s resistant to change; they want to build something new from the ground,” Pickus said.
Pickus talked about the lessons and takeaways from various global universities, emphasizing the role of experiential learning, interdisciplinary studies, and the integration of technology and the value of core content in shaping future leaders.
“Every one of you has a device in your pocket with content so much that you can’t finish in 20 years,” Pickus said. “What’s important is how to apply the content.”
The discussion was further enriched by comments and questions from distinguished panelists, including Daniel A. Bell, Chair Professor of Political Theory at the University of Hong Kong, Scott MacEachern, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Professor of Archaeology and Anthropology at DKU, and Selina Lai-Henderson, Associate Professor of American Literature and History and Co-Director of the Humanities Research Center at DKU.
The event concluded with a Q&A session, allowing audience members to engage directly with the speakers and explore the themes of the book. Following the discussion, an on-site book signing provided attendees with a unique opportunity to connect with the author and take home a signed copy of Pickus’s newly published book. A limited number of signed books are now available in the Library. Please visit the 1st Floor Information Desk for more details.
Pickus’s Faculty Author Talk was a testament to DKU Library’s commitment to academic excellence and innovation. It served as a platform for thought-provoking dialogue on the future of higher education and the role of global universities in shaping a new generation of leaders.
Shuyi Jiang from UG Class of 2027 is the major contributor to this article.
Photo credits to (Helen) Hong Xu, Shuyi Jiang, Yunrong Gu, and Shengnan Ding.
