May 19, 2005
By Pamela McLaren

Residents in states and countries where there are beautiful coastlines know the value of those sandy shores and pristine waters. That’s why four universities have been working collaborating in an international effort to bring a global outlook to their respective programs in coastal marine management.

Cal State Fullerton, the University of Connecticut and two Brazilian universities –Universidade Federal Fluminense and Universidade Federal Da Paraiba – have developed a student exchange program in which American and Brazilian students will visit and attend courses with their counterparts, as well as conduct research with faculty members. Faculty exchanges also are being planned.

“Our goal is to create a joint effort of educating students about the global implications of not managing the development and use of our coastal seas and water sheds,” said Steven Murray, a leading authority in marine ecosystems who spearheaded this latest agreement for Cal State Fullerton. The professor of biological science has received more than $1 million in grants from several federal agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

“This dovetails with our mission of creating a global outlook, and this agreement is definitely a bidirectional one that ensures mutual benefits for all institutions, faculty and students involved,” said Ray Young, associate vice president for academic programs, who traveled to Brazil in March.

Young stressed that the effort is a multi-departmental one, noting that Ronald Harmon, professor of modern languages and literates, was part of the March contingent to Brazil, along with the study abroad director for the University of Connecticut. Other CSUF faculty members involved in the effort are Robert Voeks, professor of geography, and Linda Orozco, professor of educational administration.

“We met with faculty members, examined their facilities and had discussions with students,” said Young of that March visit. “Their faculty members are so interested in the arrangement because it gives them the opportunity to share research, as well as opportunities for their students to come to the United States and work with American professors.”

In July, Murray and Voeks will visit the two Brazilian universities to give seminars and explore opportunities for establishing faculty collaborations.

In the fall, students from Brazil will travel to California and Connecticut for study. American students are expected to travel to Brazil in January.

“Our faculty can learn more about the Brazilian culture and language,” added Young. “Working with these Brazilian institutions has fabulous potential beyond this effort. Their campus leaders have expressed an interest in broadening our involvement into such fields as educational administration, nursing and community health.”

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