New A&M International Study Abroad Office Expands Agreements

Texas A&M International University students may soon be able to study at two universities in San Luis Potosí and Guanajuato, Mexico when participating in A&M International's study-abroad program.

Ray Keck, A&M International provost, accompanied by a group of University administrators and faculty, recently traveled to the two cities to discuss collaborative agreements between A&M International and Universidad Autónoma de San Luís Potosí and Universidad Autónoma de Guanajuato. The agreements, when fully established, will provide student and faculty exchange opportunities as well as program and research collaborations between the institutions.

"We chose to work with these two universities because they share similar goals and objectives with A&M International," he said, "Our principal vision is to continue expanding the international aspect of the University. As president Charles Jennett says, we are the only university whose name carries its mission of becoming 'international'. These types of collaborations with other universities become another manifestation of our commitment to the A&M International mission."

The agreements also allow students of both countries to pay their own universities' tuition rates and subsequently enroll in the host university as exchange students, Keck noted.

Keck said A&M International has agreements with 17 universities and that a newly-created Office for International Programs is charged with identifying similar collaborative opportunities for all four of A&M International's colleges.

Headed by Jannet García, the new Office is located in Pellegrino Hall 215.

García said the Office will provide short term and long term study abroad opportunities to students across the A&M International campus.

"The additional benefit is that these students will be able to get University credit for courses they take abroad. The goal of this Office is to put some type of international component in each of our colleges," García said.

A&M International currently has agreements with colleges and universities in Mexico, The Netherlands, Paraguay, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Morocco, Spain and Argentina.

For further information, please contact García at 326-2566. University office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu