by David Chapman
Staff Writer
Jacksonville University latest stop for foreign delegates
Jacksonville University Athletic Director Alan Verlander spent much of his day Thursday hosting numerous foreign visitors, but he wasn’t seeking their commitment to join the school’s football team or lace up their sneakers for the upcoming basketball season.
Instead, Verlander and other JU officials were both teaching and learning a little from members of the visiting Kyrgyz Republic delegation.
Hailing from the Central Asian country that was formerly part of the Soviet Union, the Kyrgyz Republic delegates arrived in the United States Sept. 11 as part of the “Open World Program,” which was created by the U.S. Congress in 1999 to allow current and future Eurasian leaders to experience American business and culture.
Their day at JU was spent on tours and meetings exploring the private university’s sports programs, their structure, marketing strategies and sponsorships, budgets, and academic integration.
Coming from the public sector with roles in the Kyrgyz Republic, seeing how the private school functioned was an eye-opening and educational opportunity for the visitors.
“It was very interesting to see how the private sector is very strong in this community,” said Zamirbek Sayakbayevich Kayypov, through translator Larisa Daly.
Kayypov is head of the Kyrgyz Republic’s department of analysis, prediction and monitoring of sectoral policy on physical education and sports in the state agency and said he learned much from seeing the benefits of successful public-private partnerships.
Facilitator Kanybek Dokonovich Konokbaev said that the country is still in the process of transforming from old Soviet processes and seeing democracy and American culture is educational and has had the group “very much amazed.”
“We’ve all learned so much,” he said. “Such as the marketing strategies used by the universities and restaurants.”
Their voyage has taken them from City Hall to St. Augustine, to a meeting with U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown and leaders of local nonprofits on their quest for sports information on social services and sports management. But their time at JU wasn’t beneficial to just them.
“Exchanges like this enable our students and staff to be exposed to new cultures and to provide insight to our successful programs,” said JU President Dr. Kerry Romesburg.
Their tour guide also saw the benefits of spending time with the delegates.
“I think it’s neat for us to share ideas,” said Verlander. “It’s a great opportunity to learn and share our story as well as show off JU.”
The delegates conclude their tour of Northeast Florida today and depart tomorrow, but it’s been a trip they won’t forget.
“Yes, it’s been fun,” said Kayypov, smiling.
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