University of Delaware/University of the West Indies

The University of Delaware and the University of the West Indies (UWI) are partnering to develop best practices in the fields of integrated coastal management (ICM) and tourism management, at both the academic and governmental levels. Through several faculty and student exchanges between the United States and Jamaica, the partners are developing a nine-module distance learning training course in ICM for the Caribbean. They also are conducting a survey on ICM training in the Caribbean and a needs assessment of the local population to further ensure the relevance of the curriculum. They expect the course to eventually become an integral part of the planned Master’s in marine science program at UWI. The course will target a heterogeneous population, including scientists, managers, legal personnel, and members of the private sector. Since the start of the project, the partnership has established formal linkages with three additional institutions: the University of Miami, Jamaica’s National Environmental Protection Agency/Coastal Zone Management Unit, and the University of Massachusetts–Boston.

Award Date: 2000
Award Amount: $97,940
Proposed Cost Share: $25,990
Other Partners: United Nations Environment Programme’s Regional Seas Programme, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration International Program Office, Government of Jamaica

Florida A&M University/Universidad Iberoamericana

Florida A&M University (FAMU) and the Universidad Iberoamericana (UIA) are building a community and economic development program that will facilitate and strengthen civic education, community outreach, and community organization. The partnership seeks to encourage universities to engage in public life and work with neighborhood communities as well as public and private sectors to restore trust in government. FAMU has created a minor in urban studies and economic development within its Department of Political Science and has assisted in creating a certificate program in community and economic development at UIA. FAMU and UIA have both awarded mini-grants to several faculty members to conduct research in areas such as electoral reform and voter participation, literacy, and economic marginalization of African Americans. The partnership has conducted a series of issues forums and community development workshops to promote the civic engagement of local residents, administrators, community groups and students in addressing the problems of urban communities. Most recently, forums were held on the topics of multicultural coalition building and the role of the black church in HIV/AIDS awareness. UIA and FAMU are currently collaborating to develop a more effective marketing campaign to educate citizens about the nature and scope of their project.

Award Date: 2000
Award Amount: $100,000
Proposed Cost Share: $42,739
Other Partners: Census Information Center (Florida A&M University)

Maricopa Community College District/Universidad Veracruzana

The partnership between Maricopa Community College District (MCCD) and the Universidad Veracruzana (UV) seeks to expand public health outreach efforts in the rural, low-income areas of Veracruz and promote the competitiveness and environmental protection practices of small businesses. Representatives of UV traveled to MCCD to visit a small business development center, a microloan program, a small business support program, and a small business environmental services program. As a result of their visit, UV’s CUSEM (Entrepreneur Services for Micro, Small, and Medium-Size Industries Center) staff developed a new business plan and began serving clients. To date, 40 faculty members have been certified to serve as consultants at the Center; 43 entrepreneurs have enrolled as full-service clients; 20 entrepreneurs have completed a course on obtaining credit; and 30 UV students have been placed in business internships. The partners have disseminated a student HIV/AIDS prevention manual prepared by UV to more than 6,000 students and provided training for UV students, members of the student brigade program, and members of the local community. The partners expect to eventually deploy 150 students in student brigades to disseminate public health information to approximately 400,000 people in an estimated 1,400 rural communities.

Award Date: 2000
Award Amount: $100,000
Proposed Cost Share: $116,340
Other Funds Leveraged: $50,000
Other Partners: Arizona Small Business Association, Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Veracruz State Entrepreneur Association, Universidad Veracruzana Hospital School, various community colleges throughout rural Arizona, Salt River Maricopa Native American Community, Secretario de la Economía, Nacional Financiera, Xalapa Chamber of Commerce, Arizona AIDS Project

Montana State University/Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

Montana State University (MSU) and Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC) aim to develop sustainable community outreach programs in public and environmental health, public school water education, and small business pollution prevention. Representatives of the international water education project WET, the Mexico Institute of Water Technology, and UABC conducted two teacher education workshops in Mexico for more than 50 educators and Department of Education leaders and one meeting for more than 40 water managers for a new binational watershed education initiative. UABC also organized a visit for WET staff to various major water infrastructure sites in the Mexicali area. Taking advantage of the UABC requirement that all students perform hundreds of hours of community service, the partners are teaching students who volunteer in elementary school classrooms about water education and are giving them the opportunity to serve as vehicles for even broader dissemination. In spring 2002, MSU’s Pollution Prevention program conducted a workshop in Tijuana on small business pollution issues for industrial leaders, government representatives, and UABC faculty and students. Four exchange visits involving faculty, staff, and students have resulted in the further development of curriculum in areas such as community health assessment and health risks from exposure to heavy metals.

University of Rhode Island/Universidad de Quintana Roo

The University of Rhode Island (URI) and Universidad de Quintana Roo (UQROO) seek to establish a regional center for geographic information system (GIS) data and technical expertise to enhance environmental management. Located in the southeastern State of Quintana Roo, one of the most rapidly growing and extensive tourism corridors in the Caribbean, the partners are working to maintain the high biodiversity of the forests, coasts, and seas, ensuring adequate water and food supplies and promoting economic advances through effective environmental management. The partners have developed a comprehensive work plan, hired a full-time GIS instructor based at UQROO to provide overall project coordination; hired a new computer network administrator at UQROO to facilitate information gathering and dissemination; developed mission statements for the UQROO GIS lab and the Regional GIS Center; and signed a subagreement to facilitate the transfer of funds to build GIS infrastructure, hire additional personnel, and provide appropriate training. Such an arrangement ensures the building of host-country capacity and long-term sustainability. Among future activities, the partners will convene the first meeting of the regional GIS governing board; host a GIS workshop for NGOs, UQROO staff, other universities, and local political leaders; and provide online web access to all project materials.