South Takes Part in Pharos Summit 2022 in Greece

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Posted on December 2, 2022

Lance Crawford

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The University of South Alabama was one of 30 United States institutions and 24 Greek public universities taking part in the International Academic Partnership Program Nov. 6-11, 2022, in Greece.

The program engages cohorts of U.S. and Greek higher education institutions to develop partnerships, foster collaboration and identify impactful areas for international academic cooperation.

South originally was selected as one of 12 universities to participate by the Institute of International Education, but the program was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Once the pandemic shut-down and then opened back up, the program had grown,” said Dr. Richard W. Carter, University of South Alabama associate vice president for global engagement.

Carter and Dr. Bri Ard, director of international education, represented South in the U.S. delegation. They met with the leadership and faculty members of the Greek universities, focusing on expanding existing and development of new collaborations that will benefit students and faculty from both sides of the Atlantic.  

“Our goal in joining the IAPP program is to develop partnerships that go beyond what exists on paper and develop truly meaningful, long-lasting academic relationships,” Carter said. “This will be accomplished by developing a comprehensive strategic plan for collaboration that allows for maximum depth, breadth, mutual benefit and sustainability in the areas of student exchanges, faculty exchanges, research, dual or joint degrees, faculty-led program opportunities and more.”

The program represented the largest American university delegation the Institute of International Education has sent to a single country.

“Student mobility between our two countries is very strong, and we are proud that the United States remains a top destination for Greek students,” said George J. Tsunis, U.S. ambassador to Greece. “The timing of this partnership is most favorable, as the political will on both the U.S. and Greek side is to foster stronger, deeper collaborations among our universities.”

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