Silver City, NM – Western New Mexico University signed agreements with four universities, including Universidad Tecnológica de Paquimé and Universidad de Occidente, during the First International Meeting of Universities on campus last week. WNMU also signed letters of intent with 13 other universities, including Universidad Technológica de Cuidad Juarez and Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, during the two-day convention.
Organized by WNMU Language Institute Director Manuel Rodriguez, the First International Meeting of Universities spanned Oct. 12 and 13 and included institutions from both Mexico and Costa Rica. “For the first time ever, the WNMU Division of External Affairs welcomed seventeen universities for the purpose of collaborating and growing together in mutual interests,” Rodriguez said.
With the aim of supporting WNMU’s efforts to launch an ecotourism program, the event featured seminars focused on educational tourism industry opportunities both locally and in Latin America.
On Thursday, attendees heard a presentation about Navigating the F-1 and J-1 Visa processes and learned about the Magic Town designation given to some regions of Mexico in order to boost economic development through tourism. WNMU Vice President of External Affairs Dr. Magdaleno Manzanares facilitated a book presentation, and representatives discussed partnerships specific to the Schools of Education and Business in small focus groups.
Friday morning, Principal and COO of SkyWest Media Sabrina Humphrey-Pack shared about changes in tourism industry and the impacts on the local economy. She emphasized the importance of tapping into the experiential travel segment, saying, “There’s a huge opportunity here to join forces and create experiential learning to serve this industry. We should develop corridor of education exchange and tourism exchange that can strengthen each of our countries.”
Meanwhile, President Shepard and Dr. Manzanares office signed an agreement with Universidad de Los Mochis.
“With this expansion of WNMU’s Language Institute into the state of Sinaloa, we are creating opportunities for our students to internationalize their educations. The first of its kind, it’s a sound financial agreement and top quality educational partnership,” Manzanares said.
President Shepard added, “University of Los Mochis is a private institution with well-adept professors and great leadership. This is precisely the type of partnership we need to embark on.”
The First International Meeting of Universities concluded with a round table discussion about launching an ecotourism program, a conference about dual degree programs, and the public signing of agreements between WNMU andCentro Panamericano de Idiomas and Universidad Technologica de Paquimé.
Now, WNMU formally partners with more than 10 Latin American universities and is actively seeking collaboration with dozens more.
“We cannot let this go,” Rodriguez said of the progress made during the First International Meeting of Universities. WNMU is making follow-up visits to a number of universities this week and planning test programs in Chihuahua City and Los Mochis.