From the Office of International Academic Affairs
The University has joined the Midwest Universities Consortium for International Activities (MUCIA).
MUCIA’s goals include “undertaking human resource development and institution-building projects in the developing world and contributing to the internationalization of member universities.”
In announcing the University’s membership, President James J. Duderstadt said that “cooperation with MUCIA will expand the range of development opportunities available to our faculty and students, advancing our goal of increasing the University’s international activities. Given the University’s long tradition of international involvement and the broad range of expertise available in our schools and colleges, we also have much to contribute to MUCIA. This should be a productive partnership,” added Duderstadt, who will serve as a member of the consortium’s Council of Presidents.
William L. Flinn, MUCIA executive director and president, welcomed the
U-M to the consortium: “MUCIA is pleased to have the University of Michigan, with its tradition of academic excellence, as a member of the consortium. Michigan’s internationally known faculty and resources will add considerable strength to our organization.”
MUCIA was established in the mid-1960s with the support of the Ford Foundation. The consortium has managed more than 100 technical assistance and educational exchange programs, has placed more than 4,000 international students on U.S. campuses and 2,000 U.S. students in international institutions, and has involved nearly 2,000 faculty members in exchange and development projects. MUCIA’s current portfolio of contracts and grants totals slightly more than $200 million.
Two faculty members will represent the U-M on the MUCIA board of directors: Robert S. Holbrook, associate vice president for academic affairs and professor of economics; and Susan S. Lipschutz, senior associate dean of the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies and adjunct associate professor of philosophy. Ruth G. Hastie, director of the Office of International Academic Affairs, will serve as the MUCIA liaison officer.
Four U-M faculty members are participating in MUCIA’s Environmental and Natural Resources Policy and Training Program, which promotes sustainable use of natural resources and preservation and enhancement of environmental quality in developing countries. They are: Robin Barlow, professor of economics and of population planning and international health; Mark Gersovitz, professor of economics; Gayl Ness, professor of sociology and of population planning and international health; and Richard Porter, professor of economics.
Other MUCIA members are the University of Illinois, Indiana University, University of Iowa, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University, and the University of Wisconsin.
