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International University Partners Visit the Worcester State Campus

The first week of December showcased Worcester State University’s international partnerships, with high-level university officials from Portugal and Nigeria on campus, while a visiting faculty member from a Nigerian university offered a concluding talk on his research and classroom experiences this past semester.

On Monday, December 4, Professor Emmanuel O. Aluyor, vice chancellor of Edo University in Iyamho-Uzairue in Edo State, Nigeria, and WSU President Barry M. Maloney signed a memorandum of understanding that establishes a framework for the two universities to work together in various ways in the coming months and years.

The agreement encourages “direct contact and cooperation between the students, faculty, research and administrative staff” of the two institutions. Among the ways the two universities are expected to collaborate: study abroad programs; student exchange programs; graduate programs; visits by and interchange of staff; information exchanges with library and research resources; and collaborative research and joint ventures.

On Wednesday, December 6, the president of our partner institution in Portugal, Universidade Beira Interior, Dr. Antonio Fidalgo, met with professors and chairs of several departments, as well as with Provost Lois Wims and Deans Linda Larrivee, of the School of Education, Health, and Natural Sciences, and Russ Pottle, of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. The Universidade Beira Interior is one of six semester- or year-long exchange programs offered by Worcester State.

Professor of Communication Carlos Fontes, Ph.D., and Director of International Programs Katey Palumbo, accompanied Fidalgo and helped arrange the day-long series of meetings. His day on campus concluded with a meeting with President Maloney and a campus tour provided by a Presidential Student Ambassador.

On Thursday, December 7, Marcellinus Okhakhu, Ph.D., from the University of Benin in Nigeria, concluded his semester at Worcester State with a talk for the university community [1] about Theatre for Development and the Worcester State Experience.

About the Photos

Top photo: Vice Chancellor of Edo University Emmanuel O. Aluyor, left, with President Maloney

Bottom photo: President Antonio Fidalgo of Universidade da Beira Interior in Portugal, center, is joined by, from left, Professor of Communication Carlos Fontes, Director of International Programs Katey Palumbo, Dean of Education, Health, and Natural Sciences Linda Larrivee, President Barry M. Maloney, Provost Lois Wims, and Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences Russ Pottle.

Worcester State administrators with Universidade Beira Interior Reitor Antonio Fidalgo [2]