Chilean Delegation Visits the CVM

February 25, 2016

The Honorable Juan Gabriel Valdés, ambassador of Chile to the United States, visited the College of Veterinary Medicine recently, meeting with university officials to review and propose expansion of the College’s successful exchange program with veterinary colleges in Chile, most notably Austral University in Valdivia.

The exchange program, founded and coordinated by Haroldo Toro, a professor in the Department of Pathobiology, has facilitated the exchange of more than 50 students and 10 faculty since its inception in 2005.

Accompanying Ambassador Valdés during his visit to Auburn were Néstor Tadich, provost of Austral University, and Jorge Arenas, a professor of engineering.  During the visit, proposals were initiated to pursue funding for expanded collaborations in science, technology, innovation, and economic development across multiple disciplines.

Participating in discussions during the ambassador’s visit were Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley; Alabama Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard; Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries John McMillan; Alabama State Veterinarian Tony Frazier; Auburn Mayor Bill Ham; Auburn University President Jay Gogue; Provost Timothy B  oosinger; and faculty members from the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, and the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences.