WSU and Ogden City Welcome Peruvian Ambassador

OGDEN, Utah – Weber State University students, along with the Ogden community, have the rare opportunity to hear Peru’s Ambassador to the United States discuss economic strategy with Ogden’s business, civic and government leaders on March 2.

His Excellency Dr. Luis Miguel Castilla is visiting from Washington D.C., to become more familiar with Utah and to meet and answer questions from members of the campus and community.

His presentation and question and answer session will be held March 2 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in Elizabeth Hall Room 229.

A news conference will follow the ambassador’s remarks at 10:30 a.m. in Elizabeth Hall Room 221. During the news conference, a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed to explore options to expand existing partnerships and consider the establishment of a formal relationship with Ogden and a city in Peru.

WSU already has entered into a cooperative academic agreement with the University of Piura in Piura, Peru. Both universities will support visiting faculty scholar programs, study-abroad opportunities and student exchanges.

“This partnership is an excellent match in terms of student body and student opportunities,” said Jeff Steagall, dean of WSU’s John B. Goddard School of Business & Economics. “We are incredibly lucky to have the ambassador here to discuss long-term relationships.”

Castilla was appointed ambassador in February 2015. Previously, he had served as Minister of Economy and Finance for three years. During his tenure, Castilla implemented major reforms to attract foreign direct investment to Peru, spur economic growth, reduce poverty, and foster economic and social development.

Castilla promoted a series of reforms in infrastructure, public/private partnerships, capital market development, taxation and state modernization, among others. During the past three years, Peru's credit ratings were upgraded by all major credit rating agencies, making it the second-highest investment-rated country in Latin America.

He holds a doctoral degree in economics from Johns Hopkins University.

“It is an incredible opportunity to have a Peruvian ambassador visit and speak to our community,” said Ogden City Council chair Marcia White. “We are honored the ambassador has chosen to come to Ogden and look forward to future interactions and possible partnerships with the Republic of Peru.”  

David Utrilla, Honorary Consul of Peru in Utah, a Weber State alumnus and former Ogden resident, organized the visit.

The event is sponsored by Weber State University, the Goddard School of Business & Economics and Ogden City and is part of the College Town Initiative.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

For more photos, please visit the following links:

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wsuucomm.smugmug.com/March-2016/i-nWm9dmH/0/S/Luis_Miguel_Castilla-S.jpg

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Author:

Amberleigh Farrell, Marketing & Communications
801-626-7948 • amberleighfarrell@weber.edu

Contact:

Allison Barlow Hess, public relations director
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu

Jeff Steagall, dean of the Goddard School of Business & Economics
801-626-7253 • jeffsteagall@weber.edu