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Appendix 29: Ellen Mashiko (Wrap-up)
 
Wrap-up
 
Ellen Mashiko
Executive Director, Scholarship Division
 
Our program refers to a "wrap-up" and Isamu has just said that I would be "wrapping up" our meeting. These colloquial expressions remind me that it is the traditional gift giving season in Japan, when gifts-oseibo-are presented to individuals or organizations that one is thankful for support and guidance throughout the past year. In this context, it is most appropriate that I have been the task of "wrapping up our meeting and by words extending the Scholarship Division's great appreciation to you and your institutions for your commitment and support of the SYLFF Program throughout 2002.
 
I am tempted to wrap-up our meeting-our year-end present to you-in beautiful wrapping paper and perhaps even a pretty ribbon but I shall resist doing so. Our deliberations are ongoing so our gift box shall remain open. Based on our discussions over the past three days, I have a feeling that we ought to consider selecting a bigger box and perhaps even altering its shape.
 
We began this week with more than an introduction to our newest network members-Latvia, Chile and The Ateneo. Our colleagues shared how their new SYLFF Programs are integral to fulfilling institutional and national needs and priorities that relate to their respective national communities and the role and place of their societies on the global stage. We were indeed delighted to hear their enthusiasm and eagerness to actively participate in the SYLFF network and to capitalize of the wealth of diversity of the SYLFF family.
 
Inter-related sessions addressed topics from what we mean by "leader" and "leadership" within the context of the SYLFF Program and our respective cultures, and to whether and how leadership training might be more explicitly be incorporated into the SYLFF Program. We also discussed the proposed new initiatives and networking. We raised and considered various facets of each session topic-concepts, planning, implementation-and the benefits and complexities.
 
I have listened carefully and taken notes. In reviewing more than 20 pages of these notes, several words and phases standout-academic excellence, commitment, determination, continuity, sustained development, relevance, added value, feasibility, timing, incremental development, security (in relation to the SYLFF database), creating a sense of belonging, identification with SYLFF, participatory, and collaboration. There are, of course, others that were integral to our deliberations.
 
Although there might be differences in how each of us prioritizes this list and might, for example, operationalize "added value", I believe that there is general concurrence that the words and phrases that I have noted are representative of the matters that are important to the SYLFF Program, and that we are all committed to opening horizons for SYLFF fellows.
 
Our note-taking will lead to the preparation of a summary of our meeting, including all power point presentations and available papers, that will be sent to you at the end of January 2003 to facilitate your reporting back to your respective SYLFF Steering Committees and generating further discussion with your colleagues. The summary will be invaluable to the foundations refinement of plans and further consultation with all SYLFF institutions. Let me assure you that we shall take your feedback seriously and prepare "general conventions" regarding new initiatives and give SYLFF institutions the option to participate or not. The foundation, of course, hopes that all, if not the majority of SYLFF institutions will indeed decide to participate.
 
The foundation shall also extend its "learning process" to SYLFF fellows as the three regional forums are convened next year. We hope that you will consider the Program Development Program (PDA) to learn first-hand about other SYLFF institutions, to explore graduate student-centered programs with your counterparts, and to share your ideas, insights and expertise with each other.
 
Let us continue to collaborate and work together in breaking through the established paradigms, and implement programs and activities that benefit SYLFF fellows who are our future. Thank you all.







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