Mayor Tab Townsell declared September 9th, 2014 to be “Centro Universitário do Sul de Minas-Grupo UNIS Day” in the City of Conway in honor of the delegation from Grupo UNIS of Varginha, Brazil’s visit to the University of Central Arkansas last week.
UNIS Education Group, founded in 1965, is a non-profit organization whose values are service, excellence and innovation and is one of Brazil’s most recognized educational institutions. The delegation included UNIS Presitdent Dr. Stefano Gazzola, Director of International Relations Carol Garcia Telles Brito and International Coordinator Genaro Campregher.
UCA Vice President of Advancement Shelley Meh read the proclamation and presented the key to the city to President and Rector of UNIS Stefano Gazzola in a ceremony at UCA on Tuesday.
During their visit, the delegation from UNIS met with UCA President Tom Courtway, Executive Vice President and Provost Steve Runge, Associate Vice President and Associate Provost, Jane Ann Williams to discuss projects including UCA’s “Leaders of the World 2016” program to be held in Brazil, as well as the Culture and Language Immersion Program in which 26 UNIS faculty and senior leaders will participate in on the UCA campus in January 2015.
Regarding their visit to UCA, Mrs. Brito commented: “President Stefano and I are very happy with the connection between UNIS and UCA. We hope to strengthen the ties between our institutions through joint projects, such as courses, conferences, research articles, language courses and cultural events.”
Mayor Townsell’s proclamation is as follows:
Whereas, The City of Conway recognizes the importance of higher education and specifically the positive impact of the University of Central Arkansas in sustaining the vibrancy and attractiveness of Conway to students, residents, and the business community; and,
Whereas, the broadest possible exposure to the full breadth of humanity is critical to create an enriched and engaging higher educational experience; and international studies, exchanges, and engagements are a critically important component of that exposure; and,
Whereas, the University of Central Arkansas of Conway, Arkansas and Centro Universitário do Sul de Minas – Grupo UNIS of Varginha, Brazil wish to strengthen the relationship between the two schools in order to better enrich the collegiate experience; and,
Whereas, the Centro Universitário do Sul de Minas – Grupo UNIS has sent a distinguished delegation of guests to the University of Central Arkansas and the City of Conway, in the pursuit of such an enriched relationship, including Mr. Stefano Gazzola, President and Rector, Ms. Carol Garcia Telles Brito, Director of International Relations, and Mr. Genero Campegher, Coordinator of International Relations; and,
Whereas, the City of Conway celebrates the multicultural experiences of all its citizens as it basks in the wonderful glow of higher education and the benefits and benevolences it brings,
Now therefore I, Tab Townsell, Mayor of Conway, do hereby on behalf of the City of Conway, welcome the Centro Universitário do Sul de Minas – Grupo UNIS of Varginha, Brazil and distinguished guests, Dr. Stefano Gazzola, Ms. Carol Garcia Telles Brito, and Mr. Genero Campegher to our Fair City and proclaim it, “Centro Universitário do Sul de Minas – Grupo UNIS Day” in the City of Conway.