Gatton College to Host 'Bridge to India' in April

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 9, 2010) – The distance between Lexington, Ky., and New Delhi, India, is roughly 8,000 miles, geographically speaking. Yet, in today's world, the two cities may as well be located next door to each other when it comes to the potential of making transactions and carrying out commerce. At the same time, becoming familiar with differences in cultural, political, economic, and business practices is another story.

As part of an ongoing effort to ensure that its students truly are 'world-ready,' the University of Kentucky's Gatton College of Business and Economics will host A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former president of India, for two weeks.  As part of President Kalam's stay, on April 9, the Gatton College will host a day-long forum titled, "A Global Business Bridge: Linking Kentucky & India," at the Lexington Downtown Hilton.

The forum is being co-chaired by President Kalam and Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear. The forum seeks to develop and deepen strategic business and economic relationships between two of the world's largest democracies. The program will consist of comprehensive presentations by senior executives and academic thought leaders from both the United States and India, along with breakout panel and discussion groups that will provide ample scope for detailed discussions.

Other dignitaries who are scheduled to be at the forum include Congressman Ben Chandler, Kentucky; Congressman Jim McDermott, Washington State, founder and co-chair of Congressional India and Indian-Americans Caucus; and Meera Shankar, ambassador of India to the United States.

The forum is supported by the Kentucky World Trade Center, Commerce Lexington, Greater Louisville Inc., Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky's Economic Development Commission.

The Gatton College is also partnering with several corporate sponsors for this event, including: Lexmark, Brown-Forman, Ashland Inc., Papa John's, Resources International, UK HealthCare, Alliance Resource Partners, Beekman Advisors, PNC, KPMG, Ernst & Young, and Keeneland.

In addition to the forum, a separate dinner event will be held that evening, also at the Downtown Hilton. "Celebrating Kentucky and India" will feature addresses by both President Kalam and Governor Beshear.

For more information and to purchase tickets to these events, visit www.gatton.uky.edu/globalbridge.