May 25, 2001   IACD AND MUCIA SIGN AGREEMENT TO INCREASE FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS IN THE AMERICAS   Washington, D.C. – The Director General of the Inter-American Agency for Cooperation and Development (IACD), an agency of the Organization of American States (OAS), announced today that the Agency had recently signed an operating agreement with the Midwest Universities Consortium for International Activities (MUCIA) to increase the fellowship opportunities of students in the Americas. Through the agreement, the two institutions formed a limited liability company under the laws of the District of Colombia with the name: Inter-American Education Associates L.L.C. (Ideas). "Our new relationship with MUCIA will help us leverage OAS scholarship funds and expand our fellowship programs," said IACD Director General Ron Scheman at the formal signing ceremony for this agreement in his Washington office. "Education is our top priority at the Inter-American Agency, and this agreement will provide more resources for students in need throughout the hemisphere." The initial priorities of the company include: the development of fellowships for students from Latin America and the Caribbean at institutions of higher education in the United States and other countries selected by MUCIA, in consultation with IACD; the implementation of a distance education program directed to students in Latin America and the Caribbean through the IACD's "Educational Portal of the Americas" and; the participation in technical cooperation programs designed to improve the management, operations, and programs of local educational institutions and governmental organizations with authority to regulate educational matters.   "We look forward to working with IACD, which will provide our member universities the opportunity to attract outstanding students from Latin America and the Caribbean" said Edward H. Jennings, President Emeritus of The Ohio State University. "These universities have extensive experience with distance education and developmental activities throughout the world, including Latin America and the Caribbean. We are confident that this relationship will be productive for both parties and the region." MUCIA is a non profit 501(c)(3) corporation established under the law of the State of Illinois that consists of the University of Illinois, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, Ohio State University, and Purdue University. For further information contact: Paloma Adams @ (202)458-3935 or padams@iacd.oas.org