UNM President Dr. David J. Schmidly (2nd from left) and VC of KU Dr. Suresh R. Sharma (4th from left)
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Vice Chancellor of Kathmandu University (KU) Professor Suresh R. Sharma and the Dean of School of Management Professor Subas KC came to the University of New Mexico on a goodwill visit to explore collaborative possibilities between the two academic institutions (April 17- 21, 2008). It was initiated by the Nepal Study Center of the University of New Mexico in collaboration with the College of Arts & Sciences, Center for Telehealth, Department of Economics, and the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. NSC's netowrk of the Nepali scholar diaspora also played an important role in this event.
Event photos can be found here. |
Meetings with Potential Partners
A week long visit consisted of many discussions with several potential collaborative partners such as, School of Medicine, College of Arts and Sciences (Department of Biology; UNM Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Project --UNM-BEMP; Department of Economics; Department of Political Science) ; Anderson School of Management; College of Education -Instructional Technology; and Office of International Programs and Studies.
In addition to talking to faculty and graduate students, the delegates also had a series of productive conversation with various Deans, Associate Deans , Vice Presidents, Department Chairs, and program directors (Vice President and Dean of School of Medicine Dr. Paul Roth; Vice President for Student Affairs Cheo Torres; Director of Telehealth and Cybermedicine Dr. Dale Alverson; Dean of Anderson school of Management Dr. Amy Wohlert; Dean of Arts and Sciences Dr. Brenda Claiborne; Associate Deans of A&S Professors Felipe Gonzales and Mike Dougher; Chair of Department of Biology Dr. Sam Loker; Chair of Department of Economics Professor Phil Ganderton; Chair of Department of Political Science Mark Peceny; Founder of UNM-BEMP and Professor Emeritus Cliff Crawford; Director of RWJ Health Institute Professor Robert Valdez; and the Director of Office of International Studies Program Dr. Thomas Bogenschild)
Demonstration Projects
Some specific demonstration projects included: a video conferencing interaction with Ecuador at the telehealth center; a visit at the BEMP ecosystem monitoring site at the Rio Grande River; experimental lab demonstration and the graduate research poster session at the department of economics; distance learning and community of practitioners (COP) slide demonstration by graduate students at the College of Education's Tech Center.
Social Events
Some social events included: happy hour hosted by the department of economics; dinner programs hosted by the Chair of Depertment of Economics and Dr. Tom Bogenschild of the OIPS; luncheon program at Lobo B hosted by the Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Cheo Torres and a lunch program at the School of Medicine; and a warm greeting by the economics graduate economics (Lobo Mug!). Of course, the visitors also had an opportunity to explore various natural and cultural landmarks in the land of enchanment (Acoma Pueblo and Santa fe).
Meeting with the UNM President
The final exit visit took place between the Vice Chancellor of Kathmandu University Professor Suresh R. Sharma and President of UNM Dr. David J. Schmidly. Both expressed their firm commitment to advance academic relationship between the two institutions. Nepal's immense biodiversity, pristine geographic landscape, water resources, culture, and community development related public policy challenges in health, education, economic welfare and the environment were recognized as areas of mutual interest. Importantly, the visitors also felt that the New Mexico's vast rural setting, its deep rooted cultural heritage, and the ecosystem would make the comparison between the two landscapes quite enriching. The meeting was also attended by the Provost Dr. Viola Florez, Dean Dr. Brenda Claiborne, Dean Subas KC, and Dr. Alok K. Bohara.
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