USU Welcomes Dominican Republic's Minister of Higher Education

The Dominican Republic’s Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Ligia Amada Melo de Cardona returned to Utah State University and met with USU President Stan L. Albrecht for a signing ceremony and reception at the David B. Haight Alumni Center, Monday, Aug. 20.

Melo de Cardona is escorting 101 additional Dominican students who will attend Utah State fall semester. Melo de Cardona arrived Aug. 18, followed by the Dominican students Aug. 19 and 20.

“On behalf of the university, I convey a warm welcome to our guests from the Dominican Republic,” President Albrecht said. “The Dominican students who study at Utah State University are excellent students. We’re very proud of them and proud of the relationship we have established with the Dominican Republic.”

Melo de Cardona expressed her pleasure in signing another agreement with the university.

“This is the fourth phase of our program with Utah State University,” she said. “The students who have graduated and returned home have provided a great outcome in the Dominican Republic.”

The students in the program go through a careful and rigorous selection process, Melo de Cardona said. The educational exchange propels the social and economic programs in the Dominican Republic that are important to its president Leonel Fernández Reyna. The country especially needs more engineers and experts in business management.

“The people at this university give very close attention to our students,” Melo de Cardona said. “I love this university and the city of Logan. The people are very friendly. I look forward to signing many, many more papers with Utah State University.”

The students will attend USU as part of a unique educational program established in partnership with the Dominican Republic government. The incoming students will join 47 Dominican students already attending USU. The minister last visited USU in August 2005. Albrecht will host a reception for the students at his home Monday, Aug. 27.

“We are excited to host these new students from the Dominican Republic and have them join our already talented and energetic Dominican students,” said Steven Hanks, Utah State vice provost.

The newest class of Dominican students is comprised of 23 graduate students and 78 undergraduate students. These additions will more than double the number of students from the Dominican Republic attending Utah State.

“Utah State University has enjoyed ties with the Dominican Republic over the past years,” Hanks said. “We hope to continue strengthening those ties with our joint programs, which have benefited both Utah State and the Dominican Republic. The Dominican students approach everything with enthusiasm and contribute so much to the university.”

The new Dominican students will be studying a variety of disciplines. As of Spring 2007, 31 Dominican students had above a 3.5 GPA and two students had 4.0 GPAs.

“It has been wonderful to watch the Dominican students as they mature and find success at Utah State,” Hanks said. “We are excited to see more students achieve success as those in past have done and to partner with a government rich in educational heritage.”

Contact: Steven Hanks, (435) 797-2373, steven.hanks@usu.edu

Writer: Whitney Wilkinson, (435)797-8286, whitney.wilkinson@usu.edu