Welcome from Vice President
In January 2008, TTUHSC President John C. Baldwin, M.D. announced the creation of a new Center for International and Multicultural Affairs (CIMA). The Center's function is to support TTUHSC's mission and goals that enhance the education of its students, faculty, and staff, through exposure to international health experiences such as study abroad opportunities, faculty exchange programs, and institutional articulation agreements with universities world wide.
This year alone, a number of our medical students have opted to take advantage of the new International Rotation Elective and have spent valuable time abroad. In November 2008 a new group of students went to Mekelle University in Ethiopia, participating in a program designed to meet the criteria of a clinical rotation.
In an effort to increase the number of eligible programs abroad that meet the criteria for approval as a site for this elective, CIMA has already made direct, personal contact with universities in Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Pakistan, Egypt, and Ethiopia. It is expected that within a few months a number of cooperative agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MOU's) will be formalized, thus creating the mechanisms to implement these mutually benefiting relationships.
The response of students to President Baldwin's initiative to increase TTUHSC's international presence has been tremendous. Some of their stories and photos are included on our website.
During the summer of 2008 a team of CIMA and School of Nursing representatives visited again the Universidad de Estudios Avanzados (UNEA) in Aguascalientes, Mexico. This time the team from TTUHSC conducted research, using simulation techniques and equipment, to assess the skills of Mexican nurses and physicians. Our School of Nursing is assisting UNEA in the creation of their new nursing curriculum. A cooperation agreement is in the works and will focus on the education of new nurses that could potentially help to decrease the deficit in the U.S. labor market.
The President's Forum on International Health continues this year with presentations every first and third Wednesday of the month. Participation dramatically increased during the Fall 2008 semester and a great variety of topics are scheduled for the coming months. Lunch is being provided to the first 35 attendees by the generous support of the Texas Tech Federal Credit Union.
Among the plans included in the development of the CIMA office is the massive renovation of space in our building in Lubbock. There are approximately 3000 square feet that have been designated to house the facilities of CIMA. It is expected that by the last quarter of 2009 this space will be available for occupancy.