Tartu University Signed Cooperation Agreement with the College of Charleston
On April 21, the Rector of the University of Tartu Volli Kalm and the President of the College of Charleston (US) George Benson signed a cooperation agreement in Charleston which governs student exchange and development of joint research and study projects. The Ambassador of Estonia in the United States of America Marina Kaljulaid was also present at the formal ceremony.
Along with the Rector, the delegation of the University of Tartu includes representatives of different faculties. The delegation visits the US on April 17–24 in order to discuss cooperation, mainly in IT, economic, natural, technological and social sciences. The cooperation was initiated by the Honorary Consul of Estonia in South Carolina Harry Huge who has already for several years supported cooperation between Estonian and US universities via his foundation.
Harry Huge was the initiator and supporter of a bilateral agreement between the University of Tartu and the Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2007. This time, representatives of the Nebraska Wesleyan University visit Charleston in order to jointly discuss cooperation opportunities between the three universities. Representatives of the University of Tartu will also meet entrepreneurs of the Charleston region.
Last week, the Rector also signed a student exchange agreement with the University of Salisbury in Maryland, a sister city of Tartu. Rector Volli Kalm says that besides cooperation with leading research universities, it is important to create exchange opportunities with universities that have expressed great support and interest both for sending students to Estonia and for receiving students from Tartu. There are active promoters of cooperation with Tartu both in Charleston and in Salisbury, as well as financial support to organization of student exchange.
On April 20, the Rector held a presentation about cooperation between the Baltic and Nordic countries at the conference of the Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC).