University broadens its international reach

UM increased its international connections in early June when President George Dennison signed a memorandum of understanding with leaders of institutions of higher learning in Spain, Chile and Italy.

Rectors from the University of Córdoba in Spain and Austral University and the University of Concepción, both in Chile, traveled to Missoula for the signing. The rector of the University of Siena in Italy was not able to attend, but was expected to pen the agreement later.

The memorandum calls for mutual exchange for graduate and undergraduate programs, research and extension activities, as well as exchange in specialized literature, publications and scientific material. It also calls for development of joint research and teaching projects and exchanges of students and staff.

Perry Brown, dean of the College of Forestry and Conservation, said the five universities have been working on projects over the past four or five years and the memorandum formalizes their relationships. “Basically, this further opens another area of the world where we have been doing research for several years,” he said.

Brown noted that studies in climate change will be particularly benefited by the agreement. “Patagonia is a carbon sink,” he said. “We’ll have a chance to see how that is working there and compare it to here.” He added that there will be benefits to UM in forestry park management, eco-tourism, fish and wildlife, energy, biology and water management.

The agreement focuses on cooperation among the universities in developing a science center in Chile’s Patagonia region, Brown said. Currently, there are seven scientists at the center, one of whom is a UM doctoral graduate student in forestry. Brown said the hope is that eventually UM will be involved in research and outreach activities through the center.

“It’s a nice culmination of a long period of work by a lot of people that is going to pay off for students, curricula and research for UM and our partners in Italy, Spain and Chile,” he said.