TAMIU Signs Accord with Azerbaijan
A new accord signed today at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) will pave the way for an innovative study and research collaboration with Azerbaijan, the largest country of the South Caucasus region by the Caspian Sea.
Congressman Henry Cuellar helped facilitate the new Affiliation Agreement for Collaborative Education with the Assembly of the Friends of Azerbaijan (AFAZ).
AFAZ is a business, cultural, charitable and congressional advocacy organization formed to build bridges between the United States and Azerbaijan -- educating the American public about issues related to US-Azerbaijani relations and Azerbaijani Americans.
Dr. Kemal Oksuz, AFAZ president, said the agreement with TAMIU is one of a series initiated with US institutions of higher education and the only such agreement with a Texas university.
“We are thankful to Congressman Cuellar for bringing us together with this international university and we are eager for TAMIU students and faculty to become a part of this initiative. TAMIU is the only Texas university we are partnering with and it joins a network of universities that we envision in each State here,” Dr. Oksuz explained.
TAMIU president Dr. Ray Keck applauded the effort.
“This is truly a step forward in human relations,” Dr. Keck said, noting the agreement will make it possible for students to study and learn about Azerbaijan, beginning this summer.
“Specifically, TAMIU will be able to select students to participate in the Baku Summer Energy School, an annual two-week certificate program held in July in Baku, Azerbaijan,” Keck said.
The School brings together world-renowned scholars, academicians and policy makers to examine and gain better understanding of global energy and environment issues and their practical application.
Azerbaijan is home to the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR), a wholly state-owned national oil company headquartered in Baku, the capital city. It is one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world.
Azerbaijan, about the size of the U.S. State of Maine, is located in the South Caucasus region, bordering Russia to the North, Iran to the South, Georgia and Armenia to the West and to the East, the Caspian Sea. It is home to over 9 million people.
For additional information, contact the TAMIU Office Global Initiatives and Binational Center at 956.326.2834 or email coordinator Mariana Barberena at mariana.barberena@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