Students from 12 countries will participate in the event which will include music and dance performances, exhibits and information exchanges. The event is free of charge and open to the public.
`The international students at A&M International saw this as an opportunity to highlight their countries and underscore the growing international dimension of the University," said David VerMilyea, Director of the Office of Student Development.
Student Yu Lee Wu, from Malaysia, said the international students have enjoyed planning the event and are looking forward to the opportunity to represent their countries and cultures.
"This has been very exciting for us. As members of the Association of International Students here at the University, we've worked to put together a program that we feel will be informative and fun for our fellow students and to members of the Laredo community that we encourage to attend," Wu said.
The International Festival will be held on the South Plaza immediately following Friday morning groundbreaking ceremonies for new student housing at the University.
Among performances planned are the presentation of ambient music by Dr. Michael Yoder, Associate Professor of Geography, and dance performances by members of the University's recently formed Ballet Folklorico.
In addition to tables with displays and exhibits, students will compete for door prizes for their decorated tables. They will also be able to provide visitors with a "virtual tour " of their respective countries via the Internet and World Wide Web.
Among countries and students participating in the International Festival at A&M International University are:
Albania, Roksana A. Kavaja; Bulgaria, Vesselina Pandova; Brazil, Emerson Yoshiyuki Meguro; Canada, Wendy Ro; China, Hong Yin, Hong Yu and Yao Yao Lin; France, Virginie Viader and Muzellec Lahrent; India, Ramprakash Madanraj, Padmavathy Thiruvergadam and Muzaffar Mussain and Korea, Chan Hyun Park.
Also, Mexico, Nadia M. Plascencia and Juan Antonio Vargas-Barraza; Malaysia, Mohan Subramaniam and Yu Lee; Puerto Rico, Eileen Ortiz; Venezuela, Leila Castro and Luis Miguel Martinez and Thailand, Netchanok Chareonchit, Sunida Chookajorn, Kanaporn Kacha, Chalearmchai Kuanha, Thewet Sattayatham and Suratin Tunyaplin.
In an average semester, students come to the University from 26 different countries. For more information on the International Festival, part of the Inauguration Celebration at A&M International, please contact the Office of Student Development at 326 - 2282. University office hours are from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Inauguration Ceremonies will be held Saturday morning at 10 a.m. on the South Plaza.
For additional information on the Inauguration Celebration, call 326 - 2171 for recorded information. Information can also be accessed via the University's home page at http://www.tamiu.edu.