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Here is a synopsis of the four memoranda of understanding between ºÙºÙÊÓƵ and California, and the Chilean government, institutes of higher education and industry, with the names of the officials who signed the documents on June 12 in Freeborn Hall:

ºÙºÙÊÓƵ-INIA — Between ºÙºÙÊÓƵ and the Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (Institute of Agricultural Research) and the Asociacion Nacional de Productores de Semillas (National Association of Seed Producers), laying the groundwork for a new research, development and training program focused on plant genetic resources; development of new and hardier crop varieties; release of new crop varieties for the global market; and collaborative graduate training programs in the area of plant genetics and breeding.

ºÙºÙÊÓƵ' Seed Biotechnology Center in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is the campus's primary partner in this agreement. Other Chilean participants are the University of Chile, Pontificia Catholic University of Chile, Pontificia Catholic University of Valparaiso, the University of Talca and University Austral of Chile.

Signatories: Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef, ºÙºÙÊÓƵ; and Leopold Sanchez, president, Institute for Agricultural Research.

ºÙºÙÊÓƵ-Chilean wine research organizations — Between ºÙºÙÊÓƵ and Vinnova S.A. and Tecnovid S.A. (established by the Universidad de Chile, Pontificia Universidad Catolico de Chile, Universidad de Talca, Universidad Tecnico Federico Santa Maria and Universidad de Concepcion, together with vineyard and winery industry associations), initiating a new research, development and training program intended to improve grape growing and winemaking expertise and technology. The new program will emphasize sustainable production, wine flavor improvement, and training of the next generation of winemakers and grape growers for both Chile and California.

Signatories: Dean Neal Van Alfen, ºÙºÙÊÓƵ College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; and Rafael Giulisasti, president, Vinnova.

California-Chile — Between three state agencies and Chile's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, establishing the California-Chile Partnership for the 21st Century, based on the desire of Chile and California to open collaboration between their institutions, organizations, universities, research centers, companies and citizens.

Signatories: Alejandro Foxley, Chilean foreign minister, and three secretaries from Schwarzenegger's Cabinet: Linda Adams, California Environmental protection Agency; Michael Crisman, Resources Agency; and A.G. Kawamura, Department of Food and Agriculture.

California State University-INACAP — Between CSU and the Universidad Tecnologica de Chile's Instituto Profesional Centro de Formacio Tecnica, under which CSU will offer advice to the Chilean institute on curriculum development, college preparation and remediation strategies, and on the advancement and articulation of programs with community colleges. The agreement also will create opportunities to collaborate in applied research on energy, water and human capital.

Signatories: Gonzalo Vargas Otte, chancellor, Universidad Tecnologica de Chile, and Richard West, executive vice chancellor, California State University.

Spotlight: ºÙºÙÊÓƵ, Chile renew old ties

From a tour of an historic vineyard to official signings at Freeborn Hall to a lunch at the chancellor’s residence, read about some of the interesting background and lighter moments of the Chilean presidential visit.

International relations.

A day of historic agreements.