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AIC and MKI launch Desmond Tutu Lecture Series on Public Health Awareness

SPRINGFIELD--As part of the college's commitment to improving the lives of the children and families in the Greater Springfield area, American International College has partnered with the Medical Knowledge Institute to launch the Desmond Tutu Lecture Series on Public Health Awareness.

Archbishop Tutu, a member of MKI's international Board of Advisors, will be the first speaker in the series on Tuesday, April 20 at AIC.

The Medical Knowledge Institute (MKI) is an international non-profit organization dedicated to healthcare education and healthcare information as a human right (www.infomki.org).

Harold Robles, co-founder of the Medical Knowledge Institute (MKI) and the Albert Schweitzer Institute for the Humanities, said he is excited to join forces with AIC to present this important lecture series. “AIC and MKI both serve populations that are often underserved, overlooked, and underestimated, to meet their needs of education, awareness, and improved public health,” he said.

Dedicated to promoting healthcare education as a human right, Robles co-founded the MKI in 1999, along with Peter Bittel, president of Futures HealthCore of Springfield, who is also an AIC Trustee.

Vince M. Maniaci, president of AIC said the college is honored that Archbishop Desmond Tutu has agreed to partner with the college and Medical Knowledge Institute in presenting the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Public Health Awareness Lecture Series.

“The Archbishop's humanitarian spirit, joy of diversity, and love of youth reflects the mission of the College. His presence on campus and his life-long commitment to humanitarian efforts will serve as an inspiration to our students, as well as members of the community,” he said.

The visit by Archbishop Tutu will include a meeting with AIC students and local high school students, and a convocation in the Griswold Theatre, where the Archbishop will be awarded an honorary degree, and will deliver the first lecture of the series. There will also be a cocktail reception and dinner at the Sheraton.

John T. Short, vice president of Institutional Advancement at AIC, said public health awareness is important to the college and the community, and getting high school students involved is crucial. “We’ve been meeting with curriculum directors and teachers to get area students involved. One of the things we’ve been discussing is an essay contest. The specifics have yet to be worked out but winners at each school will have an opportunity to have lunch with the Archbishop," he said.

While the visit by Archbishop Tutu is the kickoff of the series, Short said there will be many other activities leading up to the main event.

“A number of professors teaching classes in the areas of nursing, political science, history and communications have agreed to modify their syllabi for this upcoming semester to include classes dealing with Archbishop Tutu, his life, and his current work. In addition, a number of AIC professors have agreed to team up with local high school curriculum directors and social studies and science teachers to develop an interdisciplinary curriculum that can be used by local schools prior to the Archbishop’s visit,” he said.

There is also a website (www.aic.edu/tutu) that will provide background information and ongoing updates about the upcoming lectures, as well as a public health blog about the lecture series.

For more information, contact the AIC Office of Public Relations at (413) 205-3231