The MSU Global Health Institute (GHI) recently welcomed university leaders and research faculty from the Universidad César Vallejo (UCV) in Trujillo, Peru, for a three-week professional development and leadership program designed to strengthen academic capacity and future research collaboration. The visit solidified a 20-year partnership between MSU and UCV.
The leadership program, held July 12 to August 2, brought UCV faculty members to MSU’s East Lansing campus for workshops on topics such as new research methods, grant writing, and collaboration between academic disciplines. Throughout their visit, UCV faculty engaged with MSU faculty and staff from across the university, gaining a more in-depth knowledge of MSU’s research, education and global engagement initiatives.
One of the key components of the development program was strengthening research capabilities and scholarly productivity for both UCV and MSU. GHI’s Director and Associate Dean for Global Health, Dr. Rebecca Malouin, led a grant proposal writing workshop that discussed strategies for creating effective funding proposals and assembling collaborative research teams. MSU Librarians Abraham Wheeler and Colleen Lyon reviewed services and resources the MSU Library offers to partners, students and faculty to assist in research efforts, along with providing a tour of the Library’s Digital Scholarship Lab.
The visiting delegation also met with university leaders, including MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine Dean Joyce deJong, MSU Provost Laura Lee McIntyre, and a visit from MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz, to discuss opportunities for faculty and student exchange, research collaboration and further international engagement.
In a social media post marking the visit, MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz noted the shared commitment MSU and UCV have for education, research and shared learning opportunities.
“Conversations like these remind me that innovation happens when we bring together different perspectives and work toward common goals. As a global land-grant university, Michigan State is proud to partner with institutions around the world to advance research and tackle challenges in health, sustainability and society. Thank you to our colleagues from César Vallejo University for your partnership. I look forward to all we'll accomplish together.”
The delegation from UCV was led by distinguished research faculty who combine for close to 60 years of research experience. Dr. Jorge Adrian Salaz Ruiz, the Vice-Rector of Research for UCV, and Dr. Nancy Mercedes Sota Deza, UCV’s Director of Research Institutes and Centers, provided insight and direction on how the resources and knowledge shared between MSU and UCV can be best utilized for advancing global health initiatives.
The visit to MSU concluded with enthusiasm for continuing to expand the partnership between the two institutions. UCV leadership expressed interest in hosting MSU faculty in the future for workshops and opportunities to explore joint research ventures that advance global health.
“The research visit to Michigan State University was an extraordinary and enriching experience, both academically and personally,” said Dr. Nélida Milly Otiniano García, a UCV professor and researcher in biology and life sciences. “We had the opportunity to meet leading professionals and experts from various disciplines, gain new knowledge, learn innovative methodologies and approaches, and exchange ideas and experiences that contributed significantly to our professional development.”
"My time at MSU was a fantastic and unforgettable experience,” added Dr. Irma Luz Yupari Azabache, a statistics faculty member at UCV. “Learning from highly qualified professors, as well as the warm welcome from everyone at the university, made this visit a transformative experience that I would definitely like to repeat.”
The faculty development program with UCV reflects GHI’s commitment to building meaningful global partnerships and supporting the exchange of knowledge across borders. GHI is excited to continue and expand our close to 20-year relationship with UCV and explore how our work can create more research efforts between the United States and Peru.