U.S. Ambassador Frank E. Baxter delivers his welcoming remarks to a meeting of the Uruguay Fulbright Commission hosted at the Ambassador's Residence, November 15, 2007.

The Fulbright Commission in Uruguay held a meeting today hosted by U.S. Ambassador Frank E. Baxter. In his opening remarks, Ambassador Baxter explained that education is an important means of closing the disconnect that exists between a growing economy in Uruguay and a shortage of skilled workers. He underscored the importance of cultural and educational exchange to foment understanding between the U.S. and Uruguay.

Senator Fulbright, a Democratic senator from Arkansas, created the Fulbright Program in response to his recognition that the world was becoming “flat”. He initiated the program to make sure different cultures got to know one another, in hopes of furthering peace and prosperity among nations.

The Fulbright Commission in Uruguay is charged with making sure the USDOC funds are used in the most effective manner and with figuring out ways to garner more funds. Uruguay, Baxter noted, needs to contribute more to its own Fulbright programs, and the Commission will be working toward that goal. He thanked the new Commission members for their willingness to “give something of yourselves.”

Uruguay Fulbright Commission Treasurer Nicolas Herrera emphasizes a point while delivering his remarks as Ambassador Baxter listens attentively. Mercedes Jimenez de Arechaga, executive director of the Fulbright Commission in Uruguay, speaking about the various programs funded by the organization. Dustin Salgarriaga, a Harvard University graduate speaking about his experience in Uruguay as an English Teaching Assistant.

The Uruguay program has been sending Uruguayan teachers to the U.S. to learn from American schools, according to Commission Treasurer Nicolas Herrera. The teachers are finding the U.S. to be very different – in a positive sense - than they previously thought, he said.

“We should double or triple the number of teachers we send to the U.S. because we can see the effects the next day,” Mr. Herrera said of Uruguayan teachers participating in Fulbright training programs in the U.S.

Mercedes Jimenez de Arechaga, executive director of the Fulbright Commission in Uruguay, gave some background on the program, explaining that it works in conjunction with the U.S. Embassy, with Cultural Affairs Director Robert Zimmerman presiding over its activities and Ambassador Baxter as an honorary member.

The Commission works with organizations such as IIE, CIES and LASPAU in Uruguay. There are 50 Commissions in countries worldwide that determine the exchange programs for each country, select the recipients of Fulbright scholarships, administer the Commissions’ funds and maintain relationships with Fulbright Alumni Associations.

The DOC is responsible for providing the majority of funding for Uruguay’s Fulbright program, but more fundraising will bed one in Uruguay by the Commission and partner organizations, Ms. Jimenez said.

Since 1960, the Commission in Uruguay places special emphasis on English as a Second Language teaching in primary and secondary schools. A teachers exchange brings U.S. teachers to Uruguay and Uruguayan teachers to U.S. schools for four-week exchanges. Some 80 Uruguayan teachers are participating in online learning programs in English through the Fulbright program.

Fulbright Uruguay’s second focus since 1997 is on science, environment and agriculture educational exchanges, in which Uruguayan agricultural professionals visit the U.S. and vice versa. Visiting scholars from the U.S. come to Argentina and Uruguay to exchange information about environmental protection and conservation.

Another program begun in 1997 involves the University of Montevideo’s law school in post-graduate exchanges with American students and professors. A journalism exchange program also allows Uruguayan journalists to complete their Master’s degrees in U.S. universities.

A leadership program for Uruguayan students begun this year helps them to study in U.S. schools. Exchanges between community colleges in the U.S. and Uruguay is also a new program funded by the Fulbright Commission.

Since 2003, 381 students and faculty have received Fulbright Uruguay funding.

Jose Luis Badano, an Uruguayan scientist, spoke to the Commission about his experience as a Fulbright scholar who completed his Master’s in molecular biology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. He went on to do post-graduate work with faculty at Johns Hopkins University. He said that the Fulbright Commission helped him to apply to various U.S. institutions. Without the Fulbright program, he would not be in the position his is today in Uruguay, where he is seeking a job in his profession.

Dustin Salgarriaga, an American student who graduated from Harvard University in 2006, spoke to the Commission about his experience in Uruguay as an English Teaching Assistant. He spent four months at a school in Salto and four months at one in Montevideo, teaching English as a Second Language to students and teachers. He said his time in Uruguay helped prepare him for law school in the U.S. and helped Uruguayan students to understand that they can succeed in an increasingly international world. Ten of his students are now applying for Fulbright scholarships, he said.

Leigh Miller / Staff Writer

 
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