The Ohio State University is serving as the host institution for the 2008 Phi Beta Delta Annual Conference, April 16-19 at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Columbus. There will be two days of workshops based on the conference theme of "Different Heritages, Common Humanity." Richard Herrmann, Director of the Mershon Center for International Security Studies, will be the featured luncheon speaker on Friday, April 18.

A producer and film crew from China will visit The Ohio State University on April 9-10 to do a story on the success of the university’s Chinese Language Program, and its ability to yield an unprecedented winning streak in the international Chinese Bridge Competition.

Fawaz Gerges, whose interests include Islam and the political process, will be the guest speaker at a noon luncheon Thursday, April 3 at the Mershon Center for International Security Studies.

The Center for Latin American Studies launches its spring quarter film series with "Hermanas" (Sisters), set for Wednesday, April 2 in 180 Hagerty Hall at 7:30 p.m. This quarter's films will feature young Latin American film makers.

The history of how Japan imported and translated the detective story in the late 19th century will be shared by Mark Silver, assistant professor of Japanese at Connecticut College. "Purloined Letters: Cultural Borrowing and The Translated Detective Novel in Meiji Japan" will be presented on March 28 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in 115 Mendenhall Lab.

Ohio State faculty and professionals are encouraged to apply to the Fulbright Scholar Program if they are interested in lecturing or conducting research abroad, or participating in international seminars. The Council for the International Exchange of Scholars is accepting applications now for grants that will be available to use in 2009-2010.

Ohio State offers more than 100 study abroad programs in 40 different countries, and close to 20 percent of undergraduates have a study abroad experience before they graduate. In the January issue of Currents, a monthly magazine published by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, an article by President E. Gordon Gee takes a look at why an international experience should be "an essential element of every student's education." 

The Office of International Affairs is seeking nominations for Phi Beta Delta, an honor society dedicated to recognizing scholarly achievement in international education. International Affairs serves as the campus representative for Phi Beta Delta, which has inducted more than 600 Ohio State students, faculty and staff into the honor society since its inception in 1987.

The Ohio State University and the Universität Stuttgart have formed a partnership agreement to exchange teaching materials and scientific literature, collaborate on research and initiate a student and faculty exchange program. Additionally, Ohio State’s Center for Automotive Research (CAR) has formed a partnership with Stuttgart FKFS, a research and development operation affiliated with the Universität Stuttgart, to collaborate on research initiatives.