The University of Maryland Eastern Shore has formed a partnership with Redemption Higher Institute of Biomedical and Management Science (RHIBMS) in Buea, Cameroon to provide access to programs offered at each institution.
A memorandum of understanding between UMES and RHIBMS was signed during a visit to the UMES Princess Anne campus by the RHIBMS delegation on July 22. The agreement marks the first international pact signed by the newly renamed School of Business, Engineering, Applied Sciences, Technology, and Tourism Management (S-BEAST-TM).
“This agreement is a very poignant one as we’re signing it with a university from Africa, which is the motherland and home continent,” said Dr. Derrek Dunn, S-BEAST-TM dean. “We’re looking forward to the partnership in terms of student and faculty exchange that will help better both institutions.”
RHIBMS was established in 2010 under Cameroon’s Ministry of Public Health and provides several programs, including nursing and midwifery, pediatrics, public health, pharmacy technology, and clinical psychology.
RHIBMS President Eben Eyong said implementation of the MoU provides several benefits for the students at his institution to broaden their horizons.
“UMES has almost 140 years of experience in education, so we wanted to come in and tap into the wonderful resources here,” Eyong said. “Not only will it allow our students to benefit, but it will allow faculty to participate in informational and cultural exchanges as well.”
UMES President Heidi M. Anderson said that the partnership allows the institution to expand curriculum without having to expand infrastructure.
“This agreement will allow us to be more strategic in our reach while also enabling our students to become more global citizens,” Dr. Anderson said. “We can be online, we can be in person, and we can be across the globe with our various programs.”
