The following is a brief description of some of the major activities that were facilitated by the Florida-Costa Rica Linkage Institute during the period of our FY 1995-96 grant:
Artist, and Gulf Coast Community College Professor, Roland Hockett, who made international news in 1987 by donating his mural, "Liberty" to Nobel Prize winner, and then President of Costa Rica, Oscar Arias, (with the assistance of FLORICA), is presently completing a work entitled "Liberty III". FLORICA has been assisting and supporting Professor Hockett, who plans to donate his work to Spain through the Costa Rican Ambassador to Spain, Dr. Rosemary Karpinsky, a long-time friend of FLORICA. In a recent letter to Secretary of State, Sandra Mortham, Professor Hockett acknowledged FLORICA’s help and support with his project, and invited Secretary Mortham to participate in the official presentation ceremony, which will be held in Spain.
FLORICA facilitated the return of several pieces of art to the Museo de Arte Costarricense, that had been on loan to Gulf Coast Community College. In exchange, the museum subsequently displayed artwork by Professor Roland Hockett, of GCCC.
Dr. Peter Stoffella, University of Florida, was invited to the University of Costa Rica to present a series of lectures on alternatives for greenhouse seedling substrates, as part of an ongoing research project into agricultural waste management.
Representatives from FLORICA, the University of North Florida, and the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) traveled to Limon, Costa Rica to officially participate in the graduation ceremonies of the first five students to earn their bachelor’s degrees in the Port Administration Program. This program was developed over the past three years through the efforts of the Florida-Costa Rica Linkage Institute, the Jacksonville Port Authority, the University of North Florida and JAPDEVA, the Port Authority of Limon.
Ms. Scarlett Brebion Kelemen, a soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica, was invited to perform at Florida State University in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month. FLORICA assisted with funds to offset travel and hotel expenses for her official visit.
FLORICA Co-Directors, representatives of the Jacksonville Port Authority and JAPDEVA executives participated in meetings at the University of North Florida. Their discussions pertained to future development of the Port of Limon Project and ongoing cooperative efforts in that area.
FLORICA’s Co-Directors, Dr. Erasmo Gerato and Dr. Bill Derr, headed a delegation to San José, Costa Rica and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The party included faculty and administrators from Valencia Community College, including Dr. Sandra Todd, Vice President of Educational Services and Economic Development and Provost of VCC, Central Campus. The purpose of the visit was to coordinate the 1997 Valencia Community College student exchange program with the University of Puerto Rico, Carolina campus, Hotel and Restaurant Administration Program, and to meet with CONARE and the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (TCI), to determine the feasibility of establishing a like program in Costa Rica. The visit also provided an opportunity for the delegation to make a professional observation and assessment of operations and routines of tourist properties in the local area.
Drs. Peter Stoffella and George Fitzpatrick, of the University of Florida, continued their collaborative research with faculty from the University of Costa Rica. Their efforts have resulted in enhanced methods for the management of industrial waste products, particularly pertaining to agricultural and horticultural methods. In addition, two faculty researchers from the University of Costa Rica met with Drs. Stoffella and Fitzpatrick to tour composting and waste treatment centers in West Palm Beach and Ft. Lauderdale, as well as to attend a horticultural conference in Orlando.
FLORICA assisted with the donation of a quantity of used exercise equipment to the University of Costa Rica by providing the funds to ship the equipment to Costa Rica. The equipment was donated by the Student Government Association at Florida State University.
Drs. Gielisse and Niculescu, FAMU/FSU College of Engineering, were invited to make a presentation at the X Congreso de Fisica, in San José, Costa Rica. The many research visits and cooperative projects that FLORICA has facilitated between Costa Rica’s universities and faculty of the FAMU/FSU College of Engineering, were instrumental in bringing about the invitation to this prestigious international conference.
FLORICA continued to support student service exchanges between Florida and Costa Rica through a variety of excellent programs that were established by Florida’s state universities over the last several years. In 1996-97 these efforts included support for Beyond Borders, an international service exchange between college students in Florida and Costa Rica. This program includes Student Affairs Linking Student Affairs (SALSA), and the Turrialba projects, which give project volunteers an opportunity to work as teachers aides in the preschool on the Turrialba campus. Students also participate by volunteering to work in the area homeless shelter, and other efforts to create international understanding through community volunteer projects. Costa Rican students traveled to Florida to work with FSU students who were assisting migrant farm workers in Gadsden County, Florida.
FLORICA Co-Directors visited the Autonomous University of Panama at Chiriqui (UNACHI), in the Republic of Panama, for the purpose of opening discussions to facilitate increased opportunities for linkages with countries in Central America. This initiative was in compliance with guidance from the Florida International Affairs Commission to extend the focus of the FLORICA Model into Central America.
Following the above-referenced visit to Panama by FLORICA’s Co-Directors, (Drs. Derr and Gerato) a reciprocal visit to Florida was arranged for Rector Lagrotta and two of his faculty members. Rector Lagrotta and his party met with many college and university administrators at Florida State University and Valencia Community College, as well as the deans of several departments on both campuses. These efforts will result in signed agreements for cooperation and exchange between UNACHI and Florida’s state university and community college systems.
FLORICA facilitated the visit of Florida State University’s provost, who was invited by officials of the University of Costa Rica to conduct an intensive one-week seminar on "Administrative Reform in Higher Education, Administrative Changes in Organizations", and other related issues that will assist in the modernization of the administration policies at the University of Costa Rica.
Dr. Sydney Grant, Professor Emeritus, FSU College of Education, was invited to Costa Rica’s Universidad Nacional to conduct a one-week seminar for their CIDE program, specializing in Teaching English as a Second Language. Subsequent to this visit Dr. Grant and Dr. Frank Brooks were invited to conduct a one-week series of lectures for Costa Rican educators. This instruction was required for the further development of the Masters in Education degree program at Costa Rica’s National University.
Dr. Pam Barron, FSU Professor in the School of Library and Information Sciences, attended and made a presentation at the VII Congreso Internacional Sobre Tecnologia y Educacion a Distancia. Dr. Barron’s invitation to this event, and air travel, were made possible by FLORICA.
A delegation from Costa Rica’s Universidad Nacional Estatal a Distancia visited Florida State University and Valencia Community College. The purpose of their visit was to establish ties with experts in the disciplines of distance learning technology, system administration and curriculum. Meetings were arranged for them with several deans and directors on both campuses.
Dr. Jack Miller, Dean of the college of Education at FSU, presented an intensive course of instruction at the National University of Costa Rica. FLORICA provided coordination and travel funds to support this effort. The subject matter concerned methods of scientific inquiry, research terminology, descriptive research and causal-comparative research.
Dr. George Dawson of FSU was invited to the National University of Costa Rica to teach a one-week class on the use of computers and multimedia technology for science instruction, with particular emphasis on these applications for students of chemistry
FLORICA agreed to assist with airfare and photographic supplies to facilitate a photographic essay fine arts project by Professor Gary Monroe of Daytona Beach Community College. Unfortunately, FLORICA support for this promising and worthwhile activity had to be withdrawn because it was scheduled for completion after the grant expiration date of 12/15/96. Professor Monroe has expressed a strong desire to proceed with this project, pending receipt of operational funds for 1997-98.
Preparations were initiated by FLORICA to facilitate a visit to Florida State University by a delegation of graduate students and faculty from the University of Costa Rica. This visit was to include participation in a seminar being conducted by the Institute for Academic Leadership. Unfortunately, the project could not be completed by the expiration of our funding period, and new funds have not yet been awarded.
With the coordination and support of FLORICA, two faculty members from the University of Costa Rica were scheduled to visit the University of South Florida, Florida State University, and Valencia Community College for the purpose of investigating methods that have been established at Florida institutions to assist persons with disabilities. The visit, which was originally scheduled for early in the funding period, had to be postponed and could not be rescheduled in time to be included in 1996-97 program activities. This activity will be considered for 1997-98.
Dr. Jonita Stepp, FSU Department of Modern Languages, participated in a conference at Costa Rica’s Universidad Nacional Center for Research and Teaching in Education. This visit was part of an ongoing project to create a course of effective teaching strategies that will be used in the development of the Masters in Education program at the Universidad Nacional.
The Florida Legislature has authorized 25 out-of-state tuition exemptions for qualified Costa Rican students who are attending universities in Florida’s state university and community college systems. During the Fall, 1996 and Spring and Summer of 1997, forty-three (43) students received tuition exemptions through the Florida-Costa Rica Linkage Institute.
TIDINGS, the newsletter of the Florida-Costa Rica Linkage Institute, which was inaugurated in 1988, was published regularly through the Winter, 1996 issue. This newsletter is distributed throughout Florida and Costa Rica.