Former Optometry Dean Speaks on Cooperations Between Ecuadorian Sister Schools

Recently, Dr. Timothy A. Wingert, OD, FAAO, FNAP, FEAOO, retired dean and professor at the UIW Rosenberg School of Optometry (RSO) traveled to Quinto, Ecuador as an invited guest speaker at the Latin American Association of Optometry and Optics, also known as Asociación Latinoamericana de Optometría y Óptica (ALDOO). Joined by Dr. Carol Pinzon, optometry program director at University Foundation of the Andean Area (Fundación Universitaria del Area Andina), Wingert discussed the internationalization of optometric education in regard to UIW's recent partnership with its three sister schools in Ecuador: Instituto Tecnologico Blue Hill, Universidad Ecotec and Universidad Internacional del Ecuador.

This is the second time Wingert has been invited to speak at ALDOO since2014 when he helped build connections with other Latin American schools.

"It was an honor to be invited to speak along with our Columbian partner and have recognition brought to that partnership," said Wingert.

While serving as dean of RSO, Wingert helped to develop international connections and study abroad opportunities with schools in Peru, Columbia, the Netherlands, Poland and Ghana. Presently, Wingert still collaborates with schools around the globe to expand educational opportunities for optometry students. Now, with UIW's Ecuadorian partnerships, RSO students have even wider study abroad opportunities.

This partnership came about after Wingert and Dr. Marcos Fragoso, vice president for UIW International Affairs, traveled to Colombia to visit Fundación Universitaria del Area Andina, followed by Pinzon visiting RSO. The partnership was soon finalized after many discussions exploring the benefits of a collaborative arrangement.

The schools have arranged for faculty exchanges, offering remote lectures, collaboration on humanitarian clinics and joint grant proposals. RSO and its students have already experienced positive impacts through previous international partnerships, and Wingert hopes this opportunity will further solidify the education and cultural understanding of healthcare practitioners.

"It is rewarding to realize that you have collaborated with these colleagues for over ten years and to see how far things have developed," shared Wingert. "To have the program that we put in place, with the help of International Affairs, be described as the model program for schools in Latin America is very flattering and reflects the close relationship RSO has with International Affairs and how beneficial that cooperation is to the schools and students."