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ALBANY, GA -- The Office of Global Programs at Albany State University will hold the annual International Education Week on Oct. 10-14.

“This year’s theme is ‘The Road to China,’ which is part of a global initiative started by Hillary Clinton and President [Barack] Obama,” said Maggie Emily-Hall, administrative assistant in the Office of Global Programs.

The initiative called “100,000 Strong” is slated to double the number of American students sent to China by 2014. Albany State University’s Study Abroad program will take part in this program in the summer of 2012.

The International Education Week celebration will begin at 8:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 10, with the traditional parade of flags through the campus. The parade will begin at the new Student Center and end at the ACAD Building. There the program will feature the reading of the International Education Week Proclamation and international speaker Wei Liqing, Consul for Education, and Chinese Consulate General from Houston, Texas. A total of 23 countries will be represented by students, faculty and staff this year.

Dr. Nneka Osakwe, director of Global Programs, and other committee members have planned a week full of events to raise more awareness about international studies on campus and in the community.

“We want the campus and the community to be involved this year,” said Dr. Nneka Osakwe, director of Global Programs.

Albany Early College students are scheduled to lead the parade of flags while students from Dougherty International Education Middle School are scheduled to host the International Field Day at the ASU Coliseum at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 10.

The International Pageant will be held at 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10, in the ballroom of the new Student Center. Tickets for the pageant can be purchased for $3 each and are available in Andrews Hall, Room 331, and Holley Hall, Room 101.

Tuesday, Oct. 11, will feature a dorms competition at 5 p.m. On Wednesday, Oct. 12, an International Education Week Honors Luncheon will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the L. Orene Hall Building. A student panel discussion will also be held on Wednesday beginning at 6 p.m. in Peace Hall Room 127.

The Cultural Explosion will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, in the ballroom of the new Student Center featuring international poetry, dances and songs. International food from various food vendors will also be a part of the Cultural Explosion.

International Education Week will conclude at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, with the International Film Festival in the James Pendergrast Memorial Library Room 114.

For more information on International Education Week, contact the Office of Global Programs at (229) 430-9468 or visit www.asurams.edu.