March 27, 2009
Partnership with Canadian university yields global benefits
MARTIN, Tenn. – During a four-day visit to the Midsouth, Dr. Robert Mackinnon, vice president of the University of New Brunswick Saint John, met with UT Martin chancellor Dr. Tom Rakes and Dr. Paul Crapo, UT Martin Center for Global Studies director, to continue developing ties between their institutions.
Initially formed in 2005, to date this partnership has involved visits by official delegations to both campuses, a UT Martin travel-study program to Saint John, two faculty guest lecturers from UNB Saint John, and faculty exchanges between the Departments of English and Nursing. Future plans include semester-long student exchanges and expansion of departments participating in collaborative projects.
“I think the partnership with UT Martin has been tremendous for both our students and our faculty, as well as the institution,” said Mackinnon. “To have that kind of exchange of ideas among partner institutions is really important. It opens up both campuses to a wider world. From a student’s point of view, to learn about the South and Tennessee . . . through the eyes of your faculty on our campus – that has been fabulous.”
Speaking about future research collaborations and travel-study opportunities, he added, “I think there are all kinds of potential advantages to the partnership.”
Rakes stressed the importance of the relationship for UT Martin faculty and students, noting that Canada is the United States’ largest trading partner and that Tennessee and New Brunswick are participants in the recent Southeastern United States-Canada agreement which links states in the eastern U.S. with Canadian provinces.
Mackinnon credited Crapo with structuring the partnership with a strong foundation to endure inevitable changes on each campus. “Our partnership is now firmly grounded and set to grow and flourish in the years to come.”
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