Posted: August 11, 2015
Contact: Doug Anderson, doug.anderson@MinnState.edu, 651-201-1426
Governor Dayton’s trade mission provides platform for collaboration in higher education
ST. PAUL, Minn., August 11, 2015 – In conjunction with a State of Minnesota trade mission to Mexico led by Governor Mark Dayton, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is developing partnerships with several universities in Mexico. The partnership agreements provide a foundation for collaboration among the institutions such as student and faculty exchanges, research collaborations, and more.
“As Minnesota’s second-largest export market, Mexico is a very important trading partner for businesses and farmers throughout our state,” said Governor Dayton. “But Mexico is also an important partner in sharing knowledge, culture, and mutual understanding. I thank MnSCU and the people of Mexico for their commitment to these important educational exchanges.”
“This is an exciting opportunity for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to deepen our partnerships with universities in Mexico,” said MnSCU Chancellor Steven Rosenstone.
During the Aug. 9-14 trade mission, Governor Dayton is leading representatives from business, education, and cultural institutions to strengthen Minnesota exports and ties to Mexico. The mission is being coordinated by the Minnesota Trade Office within the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and is focused on education, agriculture, and manufacturing. In conjunction with the mission, Governor Dayton signed a general agreement of educational cooperation on behalf of the entire state of Minnesota.
Also in conjunction with the mission, Chancellor Rosenstone entered into a general agreement of cooperation between MnSCU and the Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP or Ministry of Public Education) that creates the foundation for additional partnerships including study abroad, student and faculty exchanges, and research collaborations.
St. Cloud State University President Earl Potter is also participating in the trade mission and signed agreements with the Center for Higher and Technical Education (CETYS University) and the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo.
South Central College President Annette Parker entered into an agreement with Universidad Politécnica De Santa Rosa Jaureguí to strengthen exchanges for educational, academic, research, innovation, and cultural purposes. The institutions have also recently agreed to a cultural exchange partnership in Automotive Service and Auto Body and Collision that involves student and faculty exchanges.
These agreements are the latest in a series of collaborations among MnSCU campuses and universities in Mexico enabled through Mexican Consul General Alberto Fierro. Other recent collaborations include:
- In March, leaders of six Mexican universities toured eleven MnSCU campuses.
- Minnesota State University, Mankato, hosted a cohort of English language learners from Mexico.
- South Central College partnered with MSU, Mankato to develop a proposal to host Mexican students that includes sharing of residence halls and dining services.
- Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College developed a memorandum of understanding with Universidad Intercultural Maya de Quintana Roo for cooperation on joint educational and research activities, which entails the exchange of academic materials, academic publications, faculty, and students.
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities include 24 two-year community, technical, and comprehensive colleges and seven state universities serving more than 410,000 students. It is the fifth-largest higher education system of its kind in the United States.
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