Partnerships
The Global Center success and development is directly related to the partnerships that we have established with international educational institutions and other service organizations. The following partnerships provide the basis of our four global program areas, and they involve a formal agreement between SOLES, USD and the other institution/organization.
Daraja Academy, Kenya- Founded by USD Alum Jason Doherty, Daraja Academy will be the first free secondary school in all of East Africa. In January 2009, 25 girls from Kenya will be given a chance for a secondary education which would otherwise not be possible, given their current economic situation. The mission of the Daraja Academy is to cultivate a community of individuals with a sense of cultural awareness, social conscience, and environmental responsibility, all while instilling talents that will enable them to open doors to a global society. SOLES is excited about creating Global Student Teaching, research and other possibilities for students at Daraja Academy in the future.
International Council on Education for Teaching (ICET) and SOLES are expanding a connection and creating important linkages with the broader teacher education community. Dr. Paula Cordeiro, Dean of SOLES and ICET board member, initiated the ICET newsletter and its first editorial team, with the participation of the Global Center Committee Chair and Coordinator, in September 2005. Please click here to view the current and previous ICET Newsletters.
International School of Port of Spain (ISPS), Trinidad – The SOLES-ISPS partnership provides a student teaching site for Learning and Teaching credential candidates, and it serves as a research site for cross-cultural educational practices.
Minato School, San Diego, California- The Minato school is a non-profit school dedicated to providing Japanese students living in the San Diego area a supplementary Japanese education. Subjects covered under the supplementary education program include Japanese language, mathematics, social studies and science. These subjects are taught exclusively in Japanese. In addition, Minato School opens its door to non-Japanese students who can follow Japanese at each statutory grade required of their age. The school works with the SOLES Learning and Teaching Department and Dr. Nori Inoue on various projects throughout the year.
Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia – This is an exchange agreement for students that allows one semester attendance at QUT with the transfer of credits back to USD.
SOLES Peace Dialogue Group - The SOLES Peace Dialog Group welcomes all members of the SOLES community. You are welcome to attend any of our events or meetings at your choosing. Please view our home page and events page for more information on how to become involved.
Universidad Iberoamericana, Tijuana, Universidad Pedagogica Nacional, Tijuana and the San Diego County Office of Education – Central to this partnership is the sponsorship of an annual international education conference, which rotates between San Diego and Tijuana and together educators from both sides of the border. The goal is to identify and share best practices in PK-12 education globally and help facilitate replication of effective education models that address diversity and equity throughout the world. This partnership received the 2007 California Council for Teacher Education (CCTE) Partnership Award for “Distinguished Service to Children and the Preparation of Teachers.”
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Brazil – This academic and research partnership between SOLES, USD and the Department of Letters, UFRN focuses on cultural, language and literacy practices in families, schools and communities and their impact on learning/teaching processes. In addition, this partnership has put in place an ongoing research agenda lead by the program coordinators from both institutions.
University of Hong Kong, People's Republic of China- A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 2008 with the University of Hong Kong and the Marital and Family Therapy department of the School of Leadership and Education Sciences. The first Global Study course visited Hong Kong in January of 2008.
University of Minnesota, Morris - Global Student Teaching – This partnership provides placement services for Learning and Teaching credential candidates wishing to complete their student teaching abroad.
University of Mondragon, Spain – As part of this partnership, students can attend the Mondragon University for one course, seminar or semester. The Mondragon University teacher education students are also able to attend USD for one semester.
University of Northern Iowa - Camp Adventure – This campus-wide partnership with Camp Adventure Youth Services was established in April 2001. USD students intern with Camp Adventure during the summer.
University of Pretoria, South Africa – The University of San Diego's School of Leadership and Education Sciences signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Faculty of Education, University of Pretoria in the summer of 2008. Both institutions hope that this agreement will allow the continued development of mutual programs, exchanges and research between the two universities. The first group of USD students traveled to the University of Pretoria during the summer of 2008.
