11:14 a.m., Oct. 24, 2007--UD President Patrick Harker, who is part of a Delaware delegation on a trade mission to Chile this week, has written the dispatch below to update members of the University community on his trip. During the visit, Harker signed an agreement between UD and the Universidad Mayor Campus Huechuraba to promote collaborations between the two institutions, including faculty and student exchanges and joint research efforts.

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Dispatch from the road

Santiago, Chile--Buenos dias. Today is my final day in Santiago, Chile. The purpose of my trip was to make significant connections for UD that will benefit our students and faculty for years to come plus to be part of Gov. Ruth Ann Minner's trade mission.

First, let me make a few comments on the trade mission. Chile is a very important partner for the state of Delaware. For example, the Port of Wilmington is the major East Coast port for Chilean fruits and other products. It is vital to the state that this business be maintained and, hopefully, enhanced. In addition, there are several other businesses in Chile that have significant connections to Delaware, plus our deep connections to the government of Chile. Through a series of meetings with key business and government leaders, Delaware's partnerships have been significantly strengthened.

My main purpose in coming to Chile was to sign a comprehensive agreement with the Universidad de Mayor [www.umayor.cl]. This agreement provides for student exchanges and faculty research exchanges. Mayor is one of the major private universities in Chile, with over 15,000 students. While it has only been in existence for 20 years, the university has become a major higher education institution in the country. The university's motto is “with a spirit of entrepreneurship,” and they exhibit this spirit in all of their programs. UD is proud to be their partner, and I believe that Mayor will be a significant destination for our students and faculty.

Chile is a wonderful nation, rich in culture and surrounded by nature's grandeur. From the spectacular Atacama Desert in the north, to the towering Andes just outside my hotel window, to the stunning beauty of Patagonia to the south, Chile is blessed with natural beauty. Santiago is a vibrant city, with numerous cultural activities and a rich history. With our partnership with Universidad Mayor, I hope that our students and faculty will find a strong academic partner to explore this region of the world.

Alas, I must bid adios to Chile as I am off to China in order to continue to build partnerships with key institutions in that nation; more about that in my next dispatch. Hasta luego.