A&M International Broadens Contacts with Universities, Signs Agreements

Texas A&M International University's College of Business Administration broadened its working relationship with other universities in the Western Hemisphere when it recently signed agreements with three universities on the continent.

The memorandums of understanding, which allow for collaborative educational programs to be established between A&M International and the universities, were signed with Universidad Americana of Paraguay, University of New Brunswick of Canada and Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara. The agreements were authorized during the Western Hemispheric Economies in the 21st Century Conference, which took place on campus March 23-25.

Jannet Garcia, associate director of the College of Business Administration's Institute for International Trade, said that the College is excited about the new association the University was able to establish with the three institutions.

"The agreements will allow us to have student and faculty exchange programs, plan conferences with these universities, participate in joint research projects and share important information that these universities have about their countries' economies," Garcia said.

Currently, the College of Business Administration maintains similar agreements with 14 other universities, including Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro (Brazil); Universidad Diego Portales (Chile); Universidad de Costa Rica (Costa Rica); Ecole Supérieure de Commerce (Brest,France); Ecole Supérieure de Commerce (Chambéry, France); Ecole Supérieure De Commerce (Montpellier, France); Fachhochschule Für Technik Und Wirtschaft (Germany); Europe-Universtät Viadrina (Germany); Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey; Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila (Saltillo, México); Institut Superieur de Commerce International (Morocco); Universidad de Cordoba (Spain) and Universidad de Ciencias Empresariales y Sociales (Argentina).

The University is also in the process of negotiating agreements with Universidad de San Francisco de Quito (Ecuador) and Instutito de Estudios Superiores de Administración (Venezuela).

Garcia said that perhaps one of the most important benefits of working with other universities is the opportunity to exchange students and faculty members.

"We are an international university, therefore, it is important that we give our students the opportunity to see and live in another culture and do business. It is important that we offer students within the field of business more than just a classroom experience," Garcia said.

Garcia added that student exchange programs offer students more than the chance to meet people from other cultures.

"We see a change in most of the students who go on a student exchange program. After they come back from those countries, they seem more self-assured, they know there is something more out there and many of them come back with an interest in speaking other languages and that is always a good sign."

For further information, please call the Office of Public Affairs at 326-2180. University office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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