FOUNDING THE FUTURE THE CAMPAIGN FOR A NEW UNIVERSITY

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1 FOUNDING THE FUTURE THE CAMPAIGN FOR A NEW UNIVERSITY CASE STATEMENT After two decades of transition to democracy and a market economy, Mongolia has emerged as one of the fastest growing countries in the world, based on its vast untapped natural resources. One of the biggest challenges now will be to educate Mongolians to share in this growth by preparing them to take on leadership roles in this new environment. According to a recent World Bank study, Mongolian tertiary education has failed to produce graduates who can improve Mongolia s international competitiveness. THE NEED While the predicted rapid growth has the potential to bring increased wealth and improved living standards to the country, it will also transform civil society in ways that carry risks for the country s culture, environment and economy. Recent studies show that there is a significant disconnect between qualifications of university graduates and the demands of the new economy. Larger numbers of well-educated citizens will be needed to lead and manage this private sector-led growth, and particularly, to meet critical government and civil society needs in areas such as the environment, cultural change, regulatory development, public administration and macro-economic management. THE VISION AUM will offer a wide array of academic programs designed to educate Mongolia s leaders of tomorrow. It will be an American-style school, accredited in the United States, focused on liberal arts, creativity and critical thinking along with hard skills and leadership capacity. The university will provide a high standard of education based on best practices in the U.S. academic tradition. THE FOUNDERS Individual J. Peter Morrow, Chairman of the Board, American University of Mongolia R. Arvintsogt, Board Member, Mobicom Corporation LLC Ts. Boldbaatar, Chairman, Newcom Group T. Layton Croft, Vice President, International Government Relations Asia, Peabody Energy Walter Jenkins, President, Inclusive Solutions Inc.; Chair, Zorig Foundation USA Robert J. Kenney, Jr., Of Counsel, Hogan Lovells US LLP Ch. Khurelbaatar, Member of Parliament Stephen Maloy, General Counsel (Retired), Asia Pacific, General Electric Company G. Munkhbayar, Representative of Ulaanbaatar City Citizens Representatives Khural Corporate Newcom LLC Rio Tinto PLC GE Foundation DAI Corporation 4F, DHL Building, Peace Avenue 10/5 Ulaanbaatar 14210, MONGOLIA

2 PRESS CONFERENCE AND RECEPTION TO ANNOUNCE FOUNDING OF AUM On September 18, 2012 AUM hosted a press conference to publicly announce the founding of the university at the Mongol News building with representatives of local and international media in attendance. Chairman J. Peter Morrow, representing the university; Byambasaikhan Bayanjargal, then Newcom CEO; and Tumentsogt Tsevegmid, Chief Representative for General Electric in Mongolia gave opening remarks. AUM executive director R. Bat-Erdene introduce the conference and acted as moderator. RECEPTION AT MONGOLIAN EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON, D.C. Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Bekhbat Khasbazar, hosted a reception at the Mongolian Embassy in Washington, D.C. on Friday, September 28, 2012 to announce the founding of the American University of Mongolia. President of Mongolia Ts. Elbegdorj attended, together with more than 80 other guests, including representatives of the Mongolian and U.S. governments, members of the business and education sectors and individuals from bilateral and multilateral organizations. NAMBC President Steve Saunders greeting Mongolian President Elbegdorj on his arrival at the reception. Left to right: Ts. Enkhchimeg, J. Peter Morrow, Byambasaikhan Bayanjargal, Tumentsogt Tsevegmid and R. Bat-Erdene. AUM also hosted an evening reception for an invited group of more than two hundred guests at the Modern Art Gallery. NAMBC President Steve Saunders made opening remarks to introduce AUM. Ambassador Bekhbat also spoke and expressed his full support for AUM in creating a model for educational excellence in the country, including internationally recognized and accredited degree programs. Television personality Jargalsaikhan Dambadarjaa was the Master of Ceremonies and welcomed special guests P. Tsagaan, Chief of Staff of the President of Mongolia, who read greetings from President Elbegdorj; Tsagaankhuu, Advisor to the Minister of Education and Science; U.S. Ambassador Piper Anne Wind Campbell; and Rio Tinto Country Director Cameron McRae. Guests attending the reception greet President Elbegdorj and Ambassador Bekhbat at the Mongolian Embassy in the Georgetown area of Washington, D.C. Left to right: U.S. Ambassador Campbell, Jargalsaikhan, Tsagaankhuu, P. Tsagaan, J. Peter Morrow and AUM staff Enkhchimeg on stage at the reception. Also present at the reception was Interim Dean of the Indiana University Kelley School of Business, Dr. Idie Kesner. AUM and KSB had recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to offer the KSB-AUM Global Executive MBA program at AUM s facilities in Ulaanbaatar. Dr. Kesner said how pleased KSB was to be working with AUM in this new program and expressed her confidence in the leadership of AUM.

3 AUM AND INDIANA UNIVERSITY KELLEY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS SIGN HISTORIC AGREEMENT The Trustees of Indiana University (IU), on behalf of the Kelley School of Business (KSB), signed an historic agreement with the American University of Mongolia to enter into a long-term relationship for the purpose of providing mutual support for excellence in global education. The agreement was signed on September 24, 2012 in Bloomington, Indiana by Board Chairman J. Peter Morrow on behalf of AUM; IU President Michael McRobbie on behalf of the Trustees of Indiana University; Dean Daniel Smith on behalf of KSB; and Vice President David Zaret on behalf of IU s Office of International Relations. AUM HOSTS DELEGATION FROM DREXEL UNIVERSITY At the end of October, AUM hosted a delegation from Drexel University that came to Mongolia to explore partnership opportunities. The visiting faculty included Donna Murasko, Ph.D., Dean, College of Arts and Sciences; Clyde Goulden, Ph.D., Director, Asia Center, Drexel University Academy of Natural Sciences; and David Velinsky, Ph.D., Head, Department of Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science. Meetings and discussions held with the Ambassador of the US Embassy in Mongolia, the Minister of Environmental Affairs, Zorig Foundation, World Wildlife Federation, The Nature Conservancy, Wildlife Conservation Society, International Finance Corporation, and the National University of Mongolia. (L to R) Robin Charpentier, AUM; Galaa Davaa, The Nature Conservancy; David Velinsky, Drexel University; Donna Murasko, Drexel University; Kind Murphy, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS); Enkhuvshin Shiilegdamba, WCS. Clyde Goulden from Drexel University (not pictured) also attended the meeting. AUM ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF ITS ENGLISH LANGUAGE INSTITUTE AUM S newly established English Language Institute began its first classes for students studying English for Business Communication a the Intermediate and Pre- Intermediate levels on October 22, Mr. John Mark King was appointed as Director of the ELI. Mr. King earned a Master s Degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from The American University in Washington, D.C. in 2003 and has taught extensively in a variety of countries around the world. The main purpose of this agreement is to jointly deliver the Kelley School s Global MBA degree through AUM in Ulaanbaatar. The program is designed for executives who want an advanced business degree from a U.S. higher educational institution without disrupting their careers or being separated from their families. Two additional elements of the agreement include strengthening the academic mission by offering a series of workshops for faculty and furthering the intellectual life and culture at both institutions by focusing on critical issues in business, education and society. The ELI s talented team of five professional teachers is led by Alexandria Hill, an experiences and skilled educator with years of classroom experience. Most recently she taught English and trained teachers as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Khovd. Here at ELI, we create a culture of surpassing expectations and setting the bar high. Our students have done so and their work proves it, said Ms. Hill. Together, the five of us are trying to create a modern classroom environment that helps students realize their own potential through hard work.

4 UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS TO DESIGN AUM S SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AUM has announced the signing of an agreement with the University of Alaska Fairbanks that will create a comprehensive overview of the accreditation requirements, curriculum, faculty and staff, laboratories and space required for the school. Dr. Rajive Ganguli, Chair of the Department of Mining and Geological Engineering at UAF will lead a team of seven engineering professors from the fields of mining, geological, petroleum, mechanical and civil engineering in completing the work. AMERICAN COUNCILS FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION VISITS AUM On March 6, 2013, leaders of the American Councils for International Education met with staff of AUM as part of their first visit to Mongolia. ACIE, an international nonprofit organization, believes the fundamental role of education is to promote positive change for individuals, institutions and societies. In the past ACIE has worked successfully with American universities in Bulgaria and Kosovo and thus met with AUM to explore possible programs of mutual interest. AUM s planned School of Engineering will help to address the increasing demand for qualified engineers to support Mongolia s predicted growth. Funding for the project has come from a consortium of mining and mining supply companies in Mongolia including Oyu Tolgoi LLC, Energy Resources LLC and Monnis International. On the left side of the table are visitors from American Councils for International Education: Andrey Gidaspox, Ph.D., Senior Manager, Strategic Development; Miriam Parel, Chief Strategy and Development Officer; David Patton, Ph.D., Executive Vice President; Dan Davidson, Ph.D. President. On the right side of the table, representing AUM are Bat-Erdene Regsure, Ed.D., Executive Director; Robin Charpentier, Director of Academic Programs; John Mark King, Director of the English Language Institute; and Bujin Tserensodnom, Chief Operating Officer. MONGOLIA EDUCATION FOUNDATION APPROVED TO RECEIVE TAX DEDUCTIBLE U.S. DONATIONS AUM is pleased to announce that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service has approved the Mongolia Education Foundation as a tax-exempt organization, meaning that donors can caim a tax exemption for the amount of their donations. This is a significant step forward for AUM in attracting funding from U.S. donors requiring a tax exemption as a condition of donating. Members of the AUM design team exploring ways to effectively locate laboratories across disciplines to reduce space and equipment needs. Left to right: Billy Connor, Alaska University Transportation Center; Leroy Hulsey, UAF Professor of Civil Engineering; Rajive Ganguli; and Gang Chen, UAF Professor of Mining Engineering.

5 FULBRIGHT PROGRAM APPROVES SENIOR SPECIALIST FOR AUM AUM is pleased to announce that its project proposal and request to the Fulbright Program for a Senior Specialist was approved for funding. Dr. Mark Usher, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Classics at the University of Vermont (UVM) was selected as the Fulbright Senior Specialist to come to Mongolia during the summer of 2013 to design AUM s Freshman Seminar. INDIANA UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR VISITS AUM TO ADVISE ON PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT Dr. Faridah Pawan, Associate Professor of Literacy, Culture and Education at Indiana University visited the ELI in June to advise on program development and to discuss a long-term partnership. Dr. Pawan specializes in teacher development, language assessment and online/hybrid instruction. During her visit she also met with representatives of the National University of Mongolia, the Ministry of Education, the English Language Teacher s Association of Mongolia and the Peace Corps. As a classics scholar, Mark Usher know the history and traditions of liberal education through and through and has used his experience and knowledge to design a number of successful and popular cross-disciplinary seminars for first-year students her, said Antonio Cepeda-Benito, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Vermont. I m glad Mark s talents have been recognized by the Fulbright Commission. He s just the person to take on the challenge of creating a curriculum at the American University of Mongolia that will challenge, engage, and motivate first-year students. AUM HOSTS DISTINGUISHED VISITORS FROM OTHER UNIVERSITIES During 2013 AUM hosted several distinguished visitors from other universities including: Dr. Mark Elliott Professor of Chinese and Inner Asian History at Harvard University. Dr. Andrew Wachtel President of the American Univesity of Central Asia. During his visit Dr. Wachtel gave a presentation to the AUM Board and also served as the kickoff speaker for the English Language Institute s new American Culture and History lecture series. Dr. Michael Easton, President of American University in Bulgaria. In addition to participating in several events organized by AUM, Dr. Easton gave a presentation to the Ministry of Education and Science entitled Shared Governance in Higher Education Institutions. A delegation from City University of New York Queens College met with AUM staff to discuss future collaborative activities. A delegation of faculty and students from Rutgers University attended AUM s Orientation to Mongolia presentation. Dr. Pawan meeting with ELI teachers. FORMER PROVOST AT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN BULGARIA CONSULTS FOR AUM In August 2013 Dr. Ann Ferren, former Provost, American University in Bulgaria and currently a Senior Fellow, Association of American Colleges & Universities, served as a consultant to AUM for three weeks. Dr. Ferren prioritized the top 25 areas crucial for starting an American liberal arts university abroad, provided three training workshops per day to AUM staff on these topics, and discussed possible solutions to the special issues AUM is facing during its start-up phase. She also gave a presentation to university rectors and administrators at the Ministry of Education and Science on Quality Assurance as a Driver of Curriculum Reform. Dr. Ferren during her presentation to the MOES.

6 English Language Institute Works with U.S. Embassy to Provide Training Course in Legal English Skills for Translators Related to the new Transparency Agreement signed by the U.S. and Mongolian governments, the U.S. Embassy in Mongolia awarded the ELI a grant to design and implement a training course in Legal English skills for translators of Mongolian trade and commercial laws and regulations. ELI teachers began working closely with American law firms in Mongolia to design a targeted and individualized intensive training plan. The program aims to improve the learners skills in English for legal purposes and also provide them with support as they hone their skills in legal document translation. Mongolian Ministry of Education and Science Awards GMIT Contract to AUM The Mongolian Ministry of Education and Science selected AUM to provide English language training for students in the German-Mongolian Institute of Technology s inaugural class, during their initial, preparatory year. AUM provided the placement testing for all applicants to their program, participated in the student orientation program, and is currently offering four levels of English language training to approximately 40 students on a daily basis. Lawyers from the Mongolian Ministry of Justice and the National Legal Institute work together on their translation coursework. Attorneys from the law firms of Hogan Lovells and MahoneyLiotta are working with ELI to co-teach the course. ELI is currently preparing to enroll the second cohort of lawyers for the next term, starting in early April. The course, which has been very well received by the first group of trainees, is funded by the U.S. Embassy in Mongolia to support the Transparency Agreement recently signed between the U.S. government and the government of Mongolia. AUM ELI instructors and GMIT students celebrate the end of their first term with a cake. Donors Give Generously to ELI Scholarship Fund Shortly after announcing the establishment of the English Language Institute Scholarship Fund, AUM began receiving donations. Among the donors are a Saudi Arabian who was educated at Stanford and Georgetown Universities who is now doing business in Mongolia, a former U.S. Ambassador, and a donor who gave US$20,000 but wants to remain anonymous. U.S. Ambassador Campbell and representatives of the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Foreign Affairs observe the training. ELI s Scholarship Committee at working evaluating just some of the hundreds of applications that have been received since the ELI Scholarship Fund was announced.