The traveling president

Cal State Monterey Bay President Dianne Harrison heads to the Middle East this week in hopes of establishing exchange programs with universities in Oman and Jordan.

Harrison is one of seven college and university presidents selected for the 2011 Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program. Her group leaves Thursday and returns to the United States on April 8.

Harrison and the other presidents are scheduled to meet with campus leaders in both countries to discuss institutional mission, resources, challenges and opportunities to work with American partners. The trip will provide an opportunity to refine and expand the international vision and agenda of CSU Monterey Bay and the California State University system.

A major objective of participating in the seminar, Harrison said, is the chance to develop and strengthen international exchanges and opportunities for students and faculty at CSU Monterey Bay.

“I believe it is essential that we are inclusive of countries from all parts of the world,” Dr. Harrison said. “And that includes the Middle East.” Our students and faculty can benefit by establishing partnerships with universities in the Middle East. By having their students come to the United States and to California we also add to our existing diversity on our campus.

Harrison's trip comes at a time of great turmoil in the Middle East. The wave of anti-government protests has swept through Oman and Jordan, although demonstrations have not captured the attention given to Libya, Egypt and Tunisia. At Oman, protesters have occupied a traffic circle in the port city of Sohar, and citizens have demonstrated at government buildings in Muscat, the capital.

In Jordan, thousands of residents have held protests since January demanding change, according to news reports.