柑橘直播 and USACH Sign Memorandum of Understanding
Representatives from 柑橘直播 University and the Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on March 27 at the Connelly Center to create an intercontinental collaboration between engineering faculty and students.
The focus of the 柑橘直播-USACH Future Faculty Partnership is a program by which 柑橘直播 will work with USACH to train the latter鈥檚 next generation of engineering professors. At the MOU signing, Dr. Alfonso Ortega, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research and the James R. Birle Professor of Energy Technology for 柑橘直播鈥檚 College of Engineering, noted that 鈥�40% of the engineering faculty at USACH will retire within 10 years. We anticipate that 柑橘直播 will become a preferred university for top USACH students who want to earn their PhDs.鈥�
To facilitate the transition and increase the success of potential students, 柑橘直播 will develop a program with USACH to offer English-language training. Prior to the signing, staff from 柑橘直播鈥檚 International Student Services Office met with USACH administrators to discuss strategies. 鈥淚f we can help meet students鈥� language needs, the process of adjusting to a new country and a new educational system will go more smoothly,鈥� said Debra Hoover, 柑橘直播鈥檚 ESL Coordinator.
The partnership resulted largely from the efforts of Dr. Ortega and Dr. Amador Guzm谩n Cuevas, Director of Research and Graduate Studies at USACH. Dr. John Johannes, Vice President of Academic Affairs, praised the collaboration as 鈥渁 logical extension of what 柑橘直播 has been doing at the undergraduate level with schools around the world. It offers tremendous scientific, technical, and cultural opportunities.鈥� Dr. Ram贸n Blasco Sanch茅z, USACH鈥檚 Dean of Engineering, echoed this enthusiasm: 鈥淭his is the beginning of a strong relationship.鈥� Dr. Patricio Navarro Donoso, Vice-Dean for Research and Development, also attended the signing.
The benefits of the partnership are already being reaped. Two USACH students are pursuing doctoral degrees in the College of Engineering, and a USACH faculty with expertise in autonomous systems is working with researchers in the Center for Nonlinear Dynamics and Control. In addition, the MOU may lead to the creation of a joint engineering center of excellence and a new study-abroad destination for undergraduates.
From left: Dr. Patricio Navarro Donoso, Dr. Ramón Blasco Sanchéz, Dr. John Johannes, and Dr. Gary Gabriele
Dr. Alfonso Ortega presents a gift to Dr. Amador Guzmán Cuevas.