VCSU to continue program with Mexican school
Valley City State University recently signed an agreement with the
Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Sur in La Paz, Mexico, to extend
a sister university relationship for the next three years. An agreement
between the universities has been in place since 1994, and the new
agreement includes additional elements that extend the scope to include
more emphasis on other academic areas and provide for the exchange of
staff members.
Valley City State University recently signed an agreement with the
Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Sur in La Paz, Mexico, to extend
a sister university relationship for the next three years. An agreement
between the universities has been in place since 1994, and the new
agreement includes additional elements that extend the scope to include
more emphasis on other academic areas and provide for the exchange of
staff members.
The agreement was signed during a February visit to
UABCS by VCSU President Dr. Steve Shirley, Dr. Julee Russell, chair of
VCSU’s Division of Communication Arts, and Dina Zavala-Petherbridge,
instructor and director of VCSU’s Spanish program.
“One of the
purposes of our university is to promote a multicultural perspective and
global awareness, and this agreement is an excellent example of the
ways we work towards that goal,” Shirley said. “We very much look
forward to continuing and extending this relationship for the benefit of
all of our students.”
Mtro. Javier Gaitán, rector of UABCS, said,
“We have a long tradition of exchanging students with VCSU. This
relationship is renewed with the signing of this agreement. Students who
participated have broadened their horizons both culturally and
academically. This agreement will allow us to continue with our
collaboration and student exchange.”
Previous agreements between
the universities have focused on exchange of students studying
education, particularly Spanish education, and dozens of students have
participated over the years. VCSU students have been able to apply
credits they earn at UABCS to meet VCSU graduation requirements, and
could even complete student teaching requirements in La Paz schools.
The
new agreement maintains these elements, but adds opportunities for
exchanges of staff members and exchanges of students in non-teaching
majors. “These kinds of exchange programs can appeal to students in any
major,” Shirley said. “For example, a student with a major in business
administration may take advantage of this exchange program in order to
enhance their background in international business.”
The next
contact between the universities will come in April of this year when
three representatives from UABCS are scheduled to visit VCSU.
The
next exchange of students is planned for the fall semester 2011 and is
expected to involve two students from each university.