Professor of Anthropology Maris Gillette was invited by the Harvard University Asia Center to give a seminar on Islam in China for Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand. Also attending the May event were the Ambassador of Thailand, the Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and several staff members who work with HRH on development and philanthropic projects.

“The princess travels regularly to China and speaks Chinese, and is very concerned about the unrest in the Muslim south of Thailand,” says Gillette, whose scholarly work has focused on China.“She asked a lot of questions and was an excellent conversation partner. Also one of the princess' ladies in waiting knew quite a bit about Haverford and was very interested in the liberal arts college model for Thailand.”