A New Bridge for International Collaboration Stands Before Flagler College

President Delaney and Christina Valdés shake hands seated at a table
September 9, 2024
Flagler College took a significant step towards fostering global partnerships by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Spain’s University of Oviedo on September 5, 2024, in historic Ponce Hall. The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including St. Augustine Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline and Mariví Monteserín, Mayor of Aviles, Spain.

The MOU, signed by Flagler College President John Delaney and Christina Valdés, the Rector's Delegate for the Royal Complutense College in Harvard and North America, paves the way for student and faculty exchanges, research collaborations, and immersive language experiences. 


President Delaney expressed his enthusiasm for the new collaboration, sharing, "This MOU will allow us to develop student and faculty exchanges, research collaborations, and immersive language experiences. The connection between our two areas is strong and will only get stronger once our students and faculty can engage with each other and the host areas' culture."


The partnership between Flagler College and the University of Oviedo establishes a special cultural connection between the college and its "sister city" of Aviles, Spain. This marks the third pathway for international academic exchange formalized by Flagler College in the past two years, further expanding its global reach.


The MOU outlines various objectives, including implementing student, teacher, researcher, and staff exchanges between the two institutions. It also emphasizes the development of a comprehensive study plan, which includes the possibility of double-degree programs. 


Cristina Valdés, in her speech, highlighted the shared commitment of both institutions to producing knowledge and returning it to society. She stated, "This document commits us to mutual understanding as the two sister cities do: Avilés and St. Augustine."


Notably, the signing coincides with the sister-cities connection's 100th anniversary, underscoring the two regions' deep historical and cultural bonds.
Flagler College's collaboration with the University of Oviedo and the city of Avilés opens up exciting opportunities for students and faculty to engage with a different culture and expand their academic horizons. The MOU signifies a significant milestone in the college's ongoing efforts to foster international collaboration and create a global learning environment.