Visiting Fulbright Scholar to Speak

October 20, 2009

Fulbright Scholar Zaharom (“Rom”) Nain of Malaysia will speak at Johnson State College Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. about human rights and the media in the Islamic world today. The talk takes place in Bentley Hall 207 on the JSC campus in Johnson. It is free and open to the public.

JSC is hosting Mr. Nain for five weeks, through Nov. 13 – a visit resulting from JSC’s successful application to the Fulbright Visiting Specialists Program: Direct Access to the Muslim World. While Fulbright scholars typically interact with a small group of research colleagues and/or teach a specific, highly focused class, at Johnson State the focus is on making connections with faculty and students in classes across the curriculum. He also is meeting meet with student and staff groups, as well as with those in the community.

Mr. Nain is helping JSC students learn about Islam, the media (including new media), and human rights. Related to these broad areas are such topics as media and democracy in a “controlled” society; religious stereotyping and the media; the conflicting views of the role of women in an Islamic context; human rights and Islam; and media and the environment in a developing (Asian) context.

“We are thrilled to bring a scholar of Mr. Nain’s stature to Johnson State College,” says Academic Dean Dan Regan. “This is a wonderful opportunity to expose our students to a culture and a learning experience to which they otherwise may not have access.”

For more information, contact the JSC Office of the Academic Dean at 802-635-1242.