MSU signs agreement with Caribbean university

Missouri State University signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of the West Indies in the Caribbean.

The agreement is designed to allow students and faculty from both universities to collaborate on sustainable community development-orientated projects, education and research, according to a news release.

“We will increase efforts in the key areas of geology, sustainable tourism and water quality management, among other areas,” said Luz Longsworth, pro-vice-chancellor of global affairs at UWI, in the release. “These are timely concerns given present challenges in the wake of the pandemic, climate change and severe weather events.”

For MSU students and faculty, opportunities will be offered at UWI's campuses in Cave Hill, Barbados; Five Islands, Antigua and Barbuda; Mona, Jamaica; and St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.

The memorandum of understanding is slated to last five years, and officials currently are determining its scope. Longsworth said in the release that "addressing how climate and other factors affect well-being" would be one of the central topics.

“Our sustainable community development goals will likely include improving sustainable livelihoods and environmental management," Longsworth said in the release.

Brad Bodenhausen, associate vice president of international education and training at MSU, said in the release the agreement would strengthen the university’s existing collaboration projects in place with communities in Jamaica.