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Posted: 4/17/14

TAMIU Eyes New Ed Opportunity in Ecuador

 

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Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) provost and vice president for Academic Affairs Dr. Pablo Arenaz said  that TAMIU has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ecuador that provides intriguing opportunities for study, student and faculty exchanges and partnering in the development of the South American nation’s higher education infrastructure.

“The opportunities afforded us by the Ecuadorean Ministry of Non-Renewable Natural Resources create a dynamic level of international cooperation that will help propel Ecuador forward.  Ecuador is looking to dramatically increase its number of college-educated individuals to grow and secure its economy and wants to partner with TAMIU to do so,” Dr. Arenaz said.

Arenaz and TAMIU director of the Binational Center María Calderón-Porter recently traveled to Ecuador to initiate the MOU and meet with their higher education counterparts there.  Pedro Merizalde, Ecuador’s Minister of Non-Renewable Natural Resources, welcomed the TAMIU visitors.

“This agreement defines a cooperation plan of collaborative educational programs between Ecuador and TAMIU, a Member of The Texas A&M University System, “ Merizalde said at the MOU signing ceremony in Quito.

Arenaz said the MOU enable a broad spectrum of engagement.

“The MOU makes linkages with multiple Ecuadorean universities possible.  We see our initial offerings as a virtual university, focused on English language acquisition and engineering,” Arenaz explained, “Subsequent plans are actually looking at partnering with TAMIU to build a physical satellite campus in Ecuador.”

Arenaz said the collaboration is in keeping with TAMIU’s international mission and will afford TAMIU students and faculty remarkable study opportunities.

“Multiple Ecuadorean universities can link into this.  For example, one of our Ecuadorean MOU collaborator universities runs a research station in the Galápagos Islands, which would afford our students and faculty a truly singular research opportunity.

“The MOU would also make student and faculty exchange possible with Ecuadorean students and faculty coming to TAMIU for study and research,” Arenaz explained.

Additional opportunities include joint programs with dual degree granting, research conferences and symposia and targeted academic projects, he said.

Ecuador is now developing significant oil and gas reserves similar to those found in Texas’ Eagle Ford Shale, he noted.

For additional information, contact the TAMIU Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 956.326.2180, email prmis@tamiu.edu, visit offices in Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, Suite 268 or click on tamiu.edu


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