The Honorable Aki̇l Öktem, Consul General from Turkey, paid a goodwill visit to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock on Tuesday, July 17, visiting with the chancellor and faculty members.

The consul general met with UA Little Rock Chancellor Andrew Rogerson, Dr. Rebecca Glazier, associate professor in the School of Public Affairs, and Dr. Krista Lewis, chair of sociology and anthropology.

Both Glazier and Lewis teach in the Middle Eastern Studies Program and discussed with the consul the possibility of faculty exchanges and study abroad opportunities for students. In the past, UA Little Rock has offered faculty-led study abroad trips to London, Paris, Berlin, and Morocco. Glazier is hopeful that by summer 2020, UA Little Rock students may have such an opportunity in Turkey.

“The students would get the combination of politics, sociology, and that physical on-the-ground experience,” Glazier said. “That is the kind of high-impact student experiential learning opportunity we love to provide for students.”

The consul’s visit was one stop on his visit to central Arkansas. He also planned to meet with the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce and Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

Photo: The Honorable Aki̇l Öktem, Consul General from Turkey, presents a plate to UA Little Rock Chancellor Andrew Rogerson.