EDUCATION SECRETARY SPELLINGS, ECA DAS FARRELL AND

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 001404 SIPDIS INFO AMEMBASSY BOGOTA AMEMBASSY BRASILIA AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES AMEMBASSY LA PAZ AMEMBASSY LIMA AMEMBASSY QUITO SIPDIS DEPT FOR ECA DAS THOMAS FARRELL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OEXC PGOV PREL KPAO SCUL SOCI CI SUBJECT: EDUCATION SECRETARY SPELLINGS, ECA DAS FARRELL AND UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS ENGAGE WITH RECTORS, STUDENTS, ALUMNI, BUSINESS LEADERS IN HIGH-PROFILE VISIT TO CHILE REF: A) SANTIAGO 1396, B) SANTIAGO 1392, C) SANTIAGO 1391, D) SANTIAGO 1383, E) SANTIAGO 1368 ¶1. SUMMARY: During their August 18-21 program in Chile, Secretary of Education Spellings and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Academic Programs Farrell, with eight U.S. university presidents, met with Chile's top university administrators, students, business and industry leaders, and alumni of USG exchange programs. The U.S. delegation stressed the value of educational exchanges, the outstanding opportunities for study and research at a wide variety of U.S. institutions of higher education, and the U.S. desire to welcome scholars from Chile and other countries. At every stop, the delegation highlighted the new U.S.-Chile "Equal Opportunities" Scholarship Program, signed into existence by Secretary Rice and Chilean Foreign Minister Foxley on August 8. This program will send up to 100 Chileans to pursue graduate study at U.S. universities, and will offer intensive pre-academic English language instruction as preparation. This unique feature will open the doors to Chile's non-traditional elite to pursue overseas study. This cable presents brief summaries of the non-governmental events. End Summary. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CHILE - U.S. PARTNERSHIPS HIGHLIGHTED AT RECTORS SUMMIT - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶2. Secretary Spellings was flanked by the rectors (presidents) of Chile's two leading universities -- the University of Chile (UC) and the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (PUC) -- when she addressed an impressive assembly of rectors from throughout the country. She cited education as the key to a better life, noted that outstanding scholars can be found everywhere, and pointed to diversity as a strength of the U.S. higher education system. DAS Farrell emphasized the readiness of U.S. institutions of higher education (IHEs) to work in collaboration with Chilean counterparts through the new Equal Opportunities Scholarship Program (EOSP),as well as through exchanges of teachers, English language fellows, scientists and others. ¶3. Two U.S. university leaders also addressed the group. President John Hennessy of Stanford observed that nearly half of the graduate students in scientific and technological fields at his institution are from foreign countries, and cited the importance of U.S. students going abroad as part of their higher education. He noted that there are programs of excellence at IHEs throughout the U.S. Dr. Hennessy pointed to energy and environmental studies as areas of particular interest to both the U.S. and Chile in meeting global challenges. Chancellor Sean O'Keefe of Louisiana State University (LSU) characterized the university summit and other aspects of the visit as a "remarkable opportunity to overcome insularity." He called attention to the U.S. higher education system's ability to meet individual needs -- "There is no one size fits all university." University research spurs innovation and helps address real-life problems, said Chancellor O'Keefe, recalling that as Administrator of NASA, he relied heavily on cooperation with universities. ¶4. UC Rector Victor Perez and PUC Rector Pedro Pablo Rosso, who co-chaired the meeting, offered explanations of Chile's complex, rapidly-expanding university system. They underlined the value of exchanges with U.S. IHEs, and commended the EOSP as a significant step toward educational equity in Chile. Most of the 16 other rectors present spoke of their universities' experiences with academic exchanges, linkages with U.S. institutions, and the challenges in today's open-market university environment where most students are the first in their families to attain postsecondary education. All expressed appreciation for the U.S. delegation's visit. One rector saw the visit as marking a new, welcome openness on the part of the USG, following a period when "it seemed the U.S. was closing its borders." Several rectors called for further accords on exchanges of undergraduate students, scientists, teachers, and other groups. The forum of rectors represented a diverse group of public/private, new/traditional, and urban/rural institutions with widely different political and social orientations -- in itself noteworthy. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - MEETING WITH BUSINESS LEADERS CENTERS ON ACADEMIC-PRIVATE SECTOR COOPERATION - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶5. Secretary Spellings and DAS Farrell addressed a luncheon gathering of the influential National Manufacturers Association (SOFOFA),an association of 2500 companies who collectively account for nearly 80 percent of Chile's industrial output and 30 percent of GNP. SOFOFA president Bruno Philippi, a Stanford alumnus who has urged the private sector to become more engaged in education issues, opened the program by commending the innovation and quality of U.S. universities, which have contributed notably to economic and personal development in Chile. Chancellor Mark Wrighton of Washington University in St. Louis noted that the U.S. private sector depends on universities to prepare the next generation of human talent. Wrighton cited a research/development linkage between his university and the Monsanto Corporation, which has resulted in many biotech innovations. President Gregory Geoffroy of Iowa State University pointed to breakthroughs in research on human-computer interactions, virtual reality, renewable biofuels and other fields made possible largely by corporate support. ¶6. The Secretary cited the diversity of U.S. higher education -- major research universities, vocational and technical training centers, community colleges and other institutions -- which prepare skilled workers and creative problem-solvers. She noted that the business community has contributed many ideas on how the U.S. education system can be reformed to meet current challenges and needs. A question and answer session followed, with Secretary Spellings responding to queries on government financing of applied research; approaches to training teachers; and whether it is more effective for the private sector to invest in education or in infrastructure projects. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DELEGATION ENGAGES WITH UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND ALUMNI - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶7. This visit to Chile afforded several opportunities for Secretary Spellings, DAS Farrell and the university presidents to interact with Chilean university students and recent alumni of USG-supported exchange programs. ¶8. At an informal dinner, ten undergraduate students from public and private universities discussed their study and professional plans, and learned more about opportunities at U.S. IHEs. The university presidents shared information about programs at their institutions. Students also offered their perceptions of the state of higher education in Chile, citing the system's strengths and weaknesses. ¶9. The delegation had an animated discussion at the Santiago Binational Center with 25 alumni of USG-funded study programs, mainly those who had completed Fulbright master's and doctoral programs within the past five years. There was general agreement on the need to broaden the range of U.S. and Chilean universities participating in academic exchanges, involving Chile's regional universities more extensively as sources of grantees and as hosts for U.S. students. As University of Nebraska President J.B. Milliken pointed out, Chilean students would do well to explore the many outstanding academic opportunities at U.S. universities located outside of major East and West Coast cities. Alumni cited the value of having more U.S. teachers of English in universities throughout Chile. Discussion also focused on the need for universities to be active in applied research that can have practical as well as scholarly benefits. LSU Chancellor O'Keefe noted that many departments at his university have become heavily involved in research to address the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana. Several alumni observed that studying/living in the U.S. had made them more tolerant and flexible. To many nodding heads, one UC Berkeley alumnus said the cultural diversity he experienced in California was a marked contrast from Chile's "stratified society." ¶10. Secretary Spellings' visit coincided with the award of scholarships for graduate study abroad through Chile's "President of the Republic" Scholarship Program. At the invitation of Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley, she offered congratulatory remarks to 150 awardees and their families. Many of the winners plan to study in the U.S. Minister Foxley, Education Minister Yasna Provoste, and Minister of Planning Clarisa Hardy, also took part in the event. After the ceremony, nine scholarship recipients who will attend universities in the U.S. visited the Embassy for a lively, informal discussion with the university presidents. - - - - - - CONCLUSION - - - - - - ¶11. The U.S. Higher Education Delegation's program generated substantial interest at the highest levels of government and academia. U.S. universities and training centers have been the primary destination for Chileans who study abroad. But, the delegation's messages -- increasing partnerships and cooperation with Chilean universities, and emphasizing the full range of outstanding educational programs available at institutions throughout the U.S., the well-known as well as those that are not household names -- were well-received. ¶12. The Equal Opportunities Scholarship Program -- properly implemented -- will add an important element of access and inclusiveness to the Chilean higher education system via U.S. universities. FM Foxley has hailed it as "a new phase in a more mature U.S.-Chile bilateral relationship." The fact that Secretary Spellings, DAS Farrell, and eight articulate U.S. university presidents came to Chile to launch it resulted in wide, positive coverage in the print and broadcast media (refs D, E). The delegation's active engagement clearly conveyed the commitment of the USG and the higher education community to expanding educational exchanges as an important element in U.S.-Chile relations. YAMAUCHI