UMES Officials Sign MOU, Establishes Linkage with African University
PRINCESS ANNE, MD – University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) officials signed a memorandum of understanding with the Walter Sisulu University for Technology and Science (WSU) in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa today on the UMES campus.
The linkage agreement between UMES and WSU is for the purpose of combining the efforts of the two institutions in stimulating scientific cooperation, strengthening research and teaching, broadening international experiences, and promoting cross cultural knowledge and understanding among the students, faculty and staff of both institutions.
With the exchange of students, faculty and staff between the two institutions for education and training, UMES will further fulfill its expressed mission to meet the international development priorities of the nation through engagement activities and partnerships.
“The international perspective in higher education is crucial to the development of leaders who are sensitive to the role America plays in shaping the national and international agenda,” said UMES President Thelma B. Thompson. “UMES aims to imbed internationalism in some curricula and to extend its concept of international education through continuing education and cooperative ventures with foreign universities, government agencies, non-government agencies and private industry.”
Linkage agreements between international organizations and UMES began in the late eighties. To date, twenty-one international linkages have been forged– eight of them developed under the leadership of Thompson in accordance with the overarching goal of the University System of Maryland to ensure that undergraduate students develop the international perspective necessary for success in a global economy.
At UMES, international students represent 41 countries. At its center stands a flag mall, which displays, on a six-week rotation schedule, a flag for each enrolled foreign student’s country. At any one time, twenty flags are on display.
The UMES and WSU agreement will remain in effect for a period of five years with an option of extending the agreement and with a yearly review. Along with the exchange of students, faculty and staff between the two institutions, the agreement will facilitate the exchange of scholarly information and materials; the development of cooperative and collaborative activities in furtherance of the common interests of the two institutions; the development of educational, research and development activities that are of mutual interest to both institutions; and participation in cooperative education and development endeavors to meet human needs.
For more information, contact UMES Office of Public Relations Director Suzanne Street at 410-621-2355.
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Suzanne Waters Street, director, UMES Office of Public Relations, 410-621-2355,sstreet@umes.edu.
Photo Caption: Top row from left to right are: Dr. Emmanuel Acquah, director, international programs; Nadia Abou-Zeid, Egypt; ImmaculeeNijimbere, Burundi; Professor Marcus M. Balintulo, vice chancellor and principal, Walter Sisulu University for Technology and Science; Dr. Sarah Acquah, director, center for international education; and Dr. Ronnie Holden, vice president of administrative affairs. Bottom row from left to right are: OluwatobiKunle-Kehinde, Nigeria; LukmanAnidu, Nigeria; BemideleAyeni, Nigeria; Jean-Grimm Tignokpa, Cameroon.