Chandini Sankaran, associate professor of economics at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP), is packing her travel bags to explore campus collaborations in
Lima, Peru.

Beginning March 15, Sankaran will be visiting various public and private sector institutions in Lima to support a curriculum development project that will in time lead to a UWSP student exchange program and the establishment of a permanent economics and business research station.

Joining Sankaran on this venture will be Marianne Johnson, associate professor of economics at UW-Oshkosh. The week-long trip to Lima is sponsored by the University of Wisconsin Centers for International Business & Economic Research (CIBER).

CIBER was established as a result of the federal Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 in order to increase and promote the nation’s capacity for international understanding and economic enterprise. CIBER offers grants for faculty development study programs in China, India and other countries.

During the trip to Peru, Sankaran plans to identify and assess potential projects, locations, and private sector partners. Her schedule includes meetings with Universidad Del Pacifico, Kimberly-Clark, Backus SAB, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Commercial Services Office.

"My hope is this trip to Peru opens many doors and learning opportunities for our students and the campus-at-large," said Sankaran. "Students interested in economic development and international business will, hopefully, someday in the near future be able to share their talents in Lima while learning international business practices first hand."

On the UWSP faculty since 2005, Sankaran received her bachelor’s degree from Pittsburgh State University-Kansas, and her master’s and doctorate from Kansas State University.

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