The Institute of International Education’s Scholar Rescue Fund (SRF) Scholar Lecture Series Event
On April 14, as part of the Scholar Rescue Fund Hite Foundation Chair Scholar Lecture Series, an SRF scholar from Zimbabwe,- Professor Eric Shumba,- addressed a group of over 200 undergraduate students and faculty at SUNY Ulster Community College in Stone Ridge New York as part of the college’s annual Diversity Day.
Professor Shumba lectured on Zimbabwean culture, human rights, and academic freedom. Exploring tragic current events in Southern Africa through the lens of his own experience, Professor Shumba illuminated for a largely American audience the many struggles of a threatened academic activist in today’s Zimbabwe.
A memorable cultural exchange for many, his lecture put a face to the long-standing fight for freedom in Zimbabwe and the extreme challenges facing civil society. As a faculty member in the audience remarked, “I am in awe and disturbed by what I have learnt here today.”
At the podium: SRF Scholar Professor Shumba delivering his lecture at SUNY Ulster Community College
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The Scholar Rescue Fund would like to thank the Mr. Larry Hite, sponser of the SRF Hite Foundation Chair for Communications and the administration, faculty and students at SUNY Ulster Community College. The Scholar Rescue Fund recognizes Richard Cattabiani, Director of International Programs at SUNY Ulster for making this event possible.
The SRF Hite Foundation Chair Scholar Lecture Series seeks to inform and promote interest in issues of academic freedom and political liberties among undergraduate and graduate university students, civic society organizations, and secondary school audiences.
