News Highlights

MSU signs pacts with universities in Mexico, China, paving way for more exchanges

2006-04-09

New memoranda of understanding between Minnesota State University, Mankato and universities in Mexico and China are expected to lead to more faculty and student exchanges between the institutions.

Last month MSU President Richard Davenport and Mario Adrian Flores Castro, president of TEC Monterrey, Irapuato, signed an agreement encouraging cooperation between the two schools. Three weeks before that Davenport signed a similar agreement with Capital University of Economics and Business (China) President Wen Kui.

Both documents bind the universities ?to explore the opportunities for expanding scholarly ties, promoting mutual understanding and fostering a free exchange of ideas.? Both were signed by Davenport and the visiting presidents during ceremonies at MSU.

?These are exciting new opportunities for our faculty members and students to sharpen their international business skills, and for MSU to develop more exchanges overseas and across the border,? Davenport said. ?We look forward to long and mutually beneficial relationships with both universities.?

?International relations knowledge is critical for today?s business students, and direct exchange of ideas is the most effective way to promote that,? added Scott Johnson, dean of the College of Business.

He pointed out that an MSU team visited the TEC Monterrey campus at Irapuato earlier this year, and Dr. Brenda Flannery, MSU associate professor of management, is teaching at Irapuato during her 2004-2005 sabbatical.

The memoranda are part of an effort by MSU to expand its global relationships. The University has a number of other exchange agreements with universities worldwide.

Initiatives encouraged by the new memoranda include:

1. Faculty exchanges for lectures, research and discussions;
2. Joint academic conferences and programs that utilize faculty members and facilities at both institutions;
3. Student exchanges for study and research;
4. Exchange of academic and research information;
5. Other joint ventures ?that would be of benefit to both institutions.?

The Capital University (China) memorandum was dedicated to MSU Associate Professor of Marketing Li Zhang, who died unexpectedly on Sept. 26.

Email this article | Permanent link | Topstories news | Topstories news archives