The University of New Mexico and the Albuquerque Council for International Visitors (ACIV) recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding signifying an important agreement to help bring more international students to the University.
Photo (l. to r.): Dr. Juan Pineda, Kay Carrico, Cheo Torres and Stephan Helgesen.
The MOU was signed by Dr. Eliseo Torres, Vice President for Student Affairs, on behalf of UNM President David J. Schmidly, and Stephan J. Helgesen, President of ACIV.
Helgesen, who also serves as the Senior Science and Technology Officer in the NM Department of Economic Development, is passionate about what New Mexico has to offer international students.
“There is no better place than New Mexico,” Helgesen says. “And the MOU between UNM and ACIV will enhance what we’re doing already.”
And what they’re already doing is promoting the benefits of international involvement to the people of the State of New Mexico. Thus, the MOU will focus on promoting these benefits specifically to the academic community, volunteer and non-profit organizations, State and city governments and the cultural and business communities.
“The University and the Division of Student Affairs are always looking for ways to increase the enrollment of international students,” Torres says. “This new relationship will enhance what we already have in place and will be good not only for the University, but also for the State of New Mexico.”
Kay Carrico, ACIV Second Vice President, says the MOU is a great first step to pooling resources, bringing more international students to NM and educating them with marketable technology that can be used both in our state and country.
Among other events, UNM and ACIV will be collaborating on the promotion of ACIV’s “Citizen Diplomacy” program which will be sponsored by the University and held on its main campus during 2009.
Part of the ACIV credo is the belief that diversity continues to make Albuquerque an attractive destination for programs from all over the world, which aligns with the University’s special international initiatives linking the international population with the campus and Albuquerque community.
“Part of our mission is to bring more international visitors to Albuquerque and create bonds of friendship with them,” Helgesen said. “People who come to New Mexico remember the people and traditions, but especially remember the state as a warm, hospitable and multi-ethnic place.”
The ACIV is an all-volunteer office that has been serving the needs of International Visitors Program for over two decades.
Media Contact: Dorene Leninger, (505) 277-5299; email: dleninge@unm.edu
Posted by scarr at May 22, 2008 03:54 PM