“In a year of significant global challenges—from the spread of Ebola to a historic drop in oil prices to the ongoing impacts of the global financial crisis—SIPA actively engaged the world. Through capstone projects, fieldwork, and international internships, our students applied their skills in hot spots from Sierra Leone to Sudan, Ghana to India, and Iraq to Tanzania. In the classroom, they undertook a rigorous and inspiring curriculum that addressed questions about big data and technology. SIPA students and alumni promoted sustainable development in sub-Saharan Africa, and strengthened central banking in Malaysia, among other activities. SIPA brought many high-profile experts and entrepreneurs to our campus. We were enriched by talks from Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Google, who shared his thoughts on technology and innovation. Martin Wolf, the Financial Times’ chief economics commentator, delivered this year’s Investcorp Lecture on the 2008 financial crisis. Roberto Azevedo, director-general of the World Trade Organization, give the Grabriel Silver Memorial Lecture on multilateral trade. We also heard from Judith Rodin, president of the Rockefeller Foundation; scholars such as Andrew Bacevich; Jorge Castaneda, who delivered the George Ball Lecture; and Patricia Williams, who inaugurated our new Dean’s Seminar Series on Race and Policy.”--Excerpt from “SIPA News 2015”
To be successful leaders today, whether in public service, private sector or non-profit area, it is necessary to blend the global perspective and knowledge of particular areas of businesses or sectors, with deep understanding of the world and the policy environments in which businesses are operating. That is increasing challenging, especially in this world of globalization, inter-connectiveness, geopolitical and cyber risks. Many SIPA graduates today are taking leadership roles in public sector such as central banks and treasuries, others in energy companies, non-for-profits and social enterprises. Furthermore, like in business schools, graduates of SIPA are increasingly looking at entrepreneurial careers; and many of them are prominent leaders of industries. SIPA’s alumni’s careers is becoming increasing diversified, reaching many sectors and industries in this fast changing world of global villages.
It is our honor to have Dean Janow to share with us her knowledge in international and public affairs, and more importantly, SIPA's Initiatives in Global Trade and Finance. Please do come and join us over some wine and hors d'oeuvres at the China Club on Tuesday, March 15.
Merit E. Janow
Dean, School of International and Public Affairs, and Professor of Professional Practice in International Economic Law & International Affairs
Merit E. Janow is an internationally recognized expert in international trade and investment, with extensive experience in academia, government, international organizations and business. In addition, she has had a life-long involvement with Asia and is an expert in that region. For the past 18 years, Merit E. Janow has been a Professor of Practice at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and affiliated faculty at Columbia Law School. Currently, in addition to being Dean of SIPA, she is also Co-Director of the APEC Study Center and Chair of the Faculty Oversight Committee of Columbia’s Global Center East Asia. Her research interests focus on international trade and investment, Asia, competition law and economic globalization. She has written several books, numerous articles and frequently speaks before business, policy, and academic audiences around the world.
While at Columbia University, Professor Janow was elected in December 2003 for a four year term as one of the seven Members of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Appellate Body, which is the court of final appeal for adjudicating trade disputes between the 153 member nations of the WTO.
From 1997 to 2000, Professor Janow served as the Executive Director of the first international antitrust advisory committee of the U.S. Department of Justice that reported to the Attorney General and the Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust. Prior to joining Columbia’s faculty, Professor Janow was Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Japan and China (1989-93). She was responsible for developing, coordinating and implementing U.S. trade policies with Japan and China
Professor Janow is on the Board of Directors of several corporations and not for profit organizations. In 2009, she became a charter member of the International Advisory Council of China’s sovereign wealth fund, China Investment Corporation or CIC.
Early in her career, Professor Janow was a corporate lawyer specializing in cross-border mergers and acquisitions with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in New York and before becoming a lawyer, worked at a think tank where she focused on US-Japan trade and economic relations. She grew up in Tokyo, Japan, and is fluent in Japanese. She has a JD from Columbia Law School where she was a Stone Scholar, and a BA in Asian Studies with honors from the University of Michigan. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Trilateral Commission.
