Miami, Florida, United States…[Libna Stevens/IAD Staff]
Students enrolled in one Adventist university in the Inter-American Division (IAD) territory may soon be able to enroll in another Adventist university, thereby taking advantage of the various strengths of the IAD's educational institutions to enhance one degree or pursue an additional degree. Credits earned at the second university will be added to credits already accumulated at the original, or home, university.
It was a mutual decision made among university presidents and financial vice presidents of Inter-America's 14 Adventist education institutions, who recently met for a special consortium at Colombia's Adventist University in Colombia.
According to Dr. Moises Velazquez, education director for the church in Inter-America, the plan will allow all students enrolled in one of the IAD's universities the opportunity to pursue other degrees in other Adventist institutions. Leaders say the plan is designed to enlarge students' professional options and greatly benefit the church in the long run.
“What's up front in the 21st Century is the issue of globalization, and that allows students to study more than one profession and obtain more than one degree at the same time,” says Dr. Velazquez.
The agreement between participating IAD universities will allow students to travel to other institutions or study online at lower possible costs, thereby keeping their credits intact.
University officials still need to work out the logistics and financial arrangements to allow students to integrate among its institutions. A follow-up strategic meeting to finalize the arrangements is set for next year.
As part of the meeting, Dr. Ismael Castillo, president of Inter-America's Montemorelos University, was elected president of the Consortium of Inter-American Universities for a period of two years. Dr. Trevor Gardner, president of the Southern Caribbean University, as president elect thereafter.
For more information, contact the Inter-America's Office of Education at tel. 305.403.4570 or email velazquezmo@interamerica.org
