Global scholars as ambassadors of knowledge

Abstract

This chapter discusses the challenges that global scholars face in their interactions with peers, students and the community at their destination cultures. It argues that global scholars can become powerful agents of societal change due to their background and unique position in overseas academic communities. A number of values and attributes empowering them to assume an effective moral leadership role are presented. These include espousing the principle of world citizenship to embrace unity in diversity; acquiring a humble posture of learning to develop intercultural competencies; and becoming involved in social action to achieve universal education. The issue of personally re-examining cultural assumptions of knowledge and teaching and learning is illustrated with examples throughout the chapter.