Swiss Consul Visits OSUIT, Tours Campus
INTERNSHIPS APPRECIATED: In May, Andreas Maager, third from left, consul general of Switzerland in Atlanta, recently visited Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. From left, Honorary Consul in Oklahoma Rico Buchli, Okmulgee Mayor Steven Baldridge, Maager, and OSUIT President Bill R. Path
Courtesy OSUT
Andreas Maager, consul general of Switzerland in Atlanta, recently visited Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology as a part of a special trip to Oklahoma to further strengthen ties between Switzerland and Oklahoma.
Switzerland’s Honorary Consul in Oklahoma Rico Buchli and his wife, Beatrice, who have close ties to OSUIT, accompanied Maager on a tour of the campus, which highlighted the schools of culinary arts and watchmaking programs.
At a luncheon prepared by students of its school of culinary arts, Maager led a dialogue titled “This Swiss: Doing Business with Switzerland” with OSUIT administrators as well as distinguished business partners and community members.
Guests at the luncheon included the mayor of Okmulgee, representatives from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Oklahoma District Export Council, the chair of the Governor’s International Team, and president of the Swiss Club of Oklahoma.
Maager said he wasn’t sure what to expect before he visited the campus in Okmulgee.
“What does this mean: institute of technology? I wasn’t aware it represented a type of university we have in Switzerland,” he said.
During his presentation, Maager said that 60 percent of young people in Switzerland opt for vocational training at a university, and while training for their career, they complete apprenticeships with companies, much like OSUIT students are required to complete internships before graduation.
“Companies rely on apprenticeships. For the companies, it’s an investment. Apprenticeships are very important. I can’t think of Switzerland without this,” he said, and the number of applied technology schools in Switzerland has increased.
“They are growing because there’s a growing need.”
OSUIT President Dr. Bill R. Path said he was honored by the visit and was pleased to learn the mission of OSUIT and the emphasis of Swiss higher education are so alike.
“It’s been a rare privilege to have a consul general on campus. Consul Maager raised the Swiss flag and raised our awareness of his country and culture,” Path said.
Maager said he wishes more universities would take note of what OSUIT is doing. “It would be a model for the country. There are so many requests for people with skills, and this university can meet that need,” he said. “That’s what the industry wants and needs.”
Updated 06-08-2014
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