US university students participate in academic exchange program with CATIE

• CATIE and the 1890 Universities Foundation strengthen ties through collaborative educational initiatives.

July 13, 2023. In a joint effort to promote academic exchange and foster international experimental learning and collaboration, CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) and the 1890 Universities Foundation continue to develop their agreement established in 2019, allowing dozens of US students to have the opportunity to live unique experiences through this exchange program.

For a duration of two weeks, participating students have the valuable opportunity to immerse themselves in a completely new environment, experiencing different cuisines, languages, traditions, climates, and settings. Get hands-on experience and orientation to cacao and coffee germplasm management and genetic improvement, agroforestry programs, and production practices. This exchange not only enriches their cultural background but also reinforces essential skills and abilities for their future careers, such as adaptability, anxiety management, effective communication, and conflict resolution.

As part of this collaboration, during the month of July, CATIE welcomed students from the University of Maryland Eastern Shores, Tuskegee University (Alabama) y Delaware State University, all of which are members of the 1890 Universities Foundation. This initiative traces its roots back to previous visits made by professors from Delaware State University, Tuskegee University and Alabama A&M University to CATIE a decade ago, showcasing the importance of maintaining and strengthening academic relationships.

"This exchange program not only benefits the students but also fosters lasting connections between visiting professors from universities and researchers from CATIE, opening new opportunities for joint research, collaborative projects, and the exchange of ideas," stated Eliécer Vargas, coordinator of the exchange program at CATIE.

The cooperative agreement between CATIE and the foundation recognizes the importance of mutual collaboration in the area of agriculture and related fields, and the valuable contributions made by higher education institutions to society. In addition to facilitating the exchange between professors and students from the foundation and its member universities, this agreement promotes the transfer of academic and research knowledge between US Universities and CATIE.

"These academic exchange initiatives are crucial for the development of better-prepared professionals who are aware of the challenges of the global reality. Through the collaboration between CATIE and the 1890 Universities Foundation, bonds between different cultures are strengthened, and the exchange of ideas and experiences is fostered, generating a positive impact in the educational and professional fields," concluded Vargas.