Tierra News
April 2011| May 2011 | June 2011 | July-August 2011 | September 2011
The first recipient of Tierra Mobility Scholarship Program, Rosa Isela Torres Blanco, has graduated as Técnico Superior en Comercialización at the Universidad Tecnológica de la Sierra, Nayarit, México. The grant helped her to complete her internship at SB Hotels in Barcelona.
First Tierra solar energy systems installations in Guatemala in collaboration with community members of five municipalities in Quiché, and the Asociación Comunitaria de Desarrollo Integral (ACDI)(Community Association for Comprehensive Development). A solar pumping and a solar lighting pilot projects at the Panimachel Rural Co-ed school, and a solar lighting project at a rural house in the community of Aguilix. Equipment, materials and training were provided by Tierra. The installations are part of Tierra’s solar program of training members of the communities as solar energy systems installation and service technicians.
You can watch the video of the installations at http://tierra-institute.org/tierra-international-solar-guatemala-video/
On May 17th, 2011, seven students from the Universidad Tecnológica de León (Jorge, María Alejandra, Elisabeth, Karla, Daniel, Salvador y Lucía), and two students from the Universidad Tecnlógica de Nayarit (Carolina and José Manuel) in México, started their three month Tierra Inst Int industry internship program in Barcelona.
They have completed their internship at Widex Audífonos, at the hotels NH-Calderón and NH-Belagua; Anafric-Gemsa, Aviattor Internacional School, Semillas Fitó, Hotel Icaria, Hotel Diagonal Zero, and Tuscor Lloyds.
Four students from Universidad Tecnológica de Tabasco (Abel, Hugo, Ilse, Josias) and two students from Universidad Tecnológica de Tulancingo (Mariana and Ivan) in the career fields of Chemistry of Materials (Corrosion Prevention), Mechatronics, and Industrial Processes, completed their internship of four weeks in Orange County, California. The program included theoretical and practical training in systems and applications of solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy at the installations of Tierra’s network of collaborating members, Taller San José, Southern California Edison, Sunearth, Inc., Northtown and Golden West College. The students also completed their end of career project in applications of Solar Photovoltaic and Thermal Energy for Cathodic Protection.
Eleven students of Taller San José (Andrés, Arcadio, Daniel, David, Dennis, Edgar, Enrique, Jonathan, Jorge, Phillip, Samuel) completed a Tierra’s 48 hour course in Photovoltaic Energy Systems Installation. The students are part of the sixth class of graduates of the Tierra program in collaboration with Taller San José in Santa Ana, California. The training course is certified by the Electronics Technicians Association – International (ETA–I).
Tierra Ins Int welcomes Ángeles Gilabert who starts her collaboration with us as a new assistant of development and program implementation.
On June 14th there was a welcome reception for the newly arrived students hosted by the Mexican Consulate in Barcelona. The consul, Mrs Francisca E. Méndez Escobar, and Mrs Sylvia Pederzini Villareal, economical and trade affairs attachée, welcomed the students from the Universidades Tecnológicas of León and Nayarit. Marius Cucurny, president of Tierra-California, Eduard Pujol-Xicoy, president of Tierra-Catalunya, and Ángeles Gilabert of Tierra Cat, were also present at the reception.
Marius Cucurny of Tierra Institute International visited the Child Aid and Development association in Romania, invited by its president Alex Ureche. A preliminary agreement was established for a project of collaboration and training in solar installations as part of a sustainable rural development project in the community of Filiasi. Tierra’s participation in the first state of the project includes the design and installation of a photovoltaic solar system for a “Bookmobile”, a community library on wheels.
Some of the students completing their internship program in Barcelona had an opportunity during their week-ends to travel to Costa Brava, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. They also participated in a series of activities organized by Tierra Inst Int such as some social events to watch Champion’s League Barcelona 2011 Soccer Team playing at the European Champions League games; a dinner farewell party at the end of the internship program hosted by Eduard Pujol-Xicoy and Mexican food prepared by the students; a day trip to the Montserrat Monastery where students received their Tierra Inst Int certificate of completion of their internship program
The second phase of Tierra’s solar program began in Quiché, Guatemala, with the installation of solar lighting systems for six additional residences in the community of Aguilix. The installations were completed by a member of the Asociación Comunitaria de Desarrollo Integral (ACDI)(Community Association for Comprehensive Development) who was trained by Tierra at the time of the first installations in April. Equipment and materials are directly financed by the users (80%) and Tierra (20%),
On September 6th, Gilma Zuloaga director of COM radio program Caminantes, interviewed Eduard Pujol-Xicoy director of Tierra Institut Internacional-Catalunya.
Eduard expressed his gratitude to all Tierra collaborators for their invaluable help and support.
You may listen the interview at:
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http://comradioblocs.com/latincom/2011/09/06/caminantes-tierra-institut-internacional/
During the month of September, Barcelona celebrates Mexico’s Independence trough a series of events to strengthen Mexico-Catalunya relations. The celebration includes concerts, exhibits, dancing performances, cinema, and gastronomy conferences. On September 15th, the oficial ceremony of El Grito took place this year at the Buque-Escuela (School Ship) Cuauhtémoc at the Maremagnum pier of the Barcelona harbor. The ceremony was presented by the new Mexican consul Norma Ang Sánchez, There were exhibits and music at the Plaza de la Mercè that followed the ceremony that was well attended. A representation of Tierra Inst Int was also at the event. .
Tierra Institute International- California and Tierra Institut Internacional-Catalunya have signed a collaboration agreement with Prochavales-Mexico and Prochavales –Spain. One of the first projects is taking place in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, México
September 24th, signature of agreement of collaboration between Tierra/Taller San José/ California State University Dominguez Hills to begin Solar and Energy Efficiency training programs starting in 2012.
On September 26th, 2011, Tierra Institute Internacional published its “Mobility Scholarship 2012 Program”
The competitive program offers scholarships to complete 16 week internships in California and Catalunya industries, and an English Language Immersion program in California for a three/four week 15 hours/week period.
The Tierra mobility scholarships are intended for students of Carreras de Técnico Superior (TSU) (University Technician Studies), Ingeniería (Engineering), and Formación Continua (Continuing Education) of the Universidades Tecnológicas in Mexico having a signed educational and cultural collaboration agreement withTierra Institute International
You will find the program description at
http://tierra-institute.org/convocatoria-becas-tierra-institute-international-2011-2012/
As of September 22nd, Tierra Institut Internacional is now registered in the CENS GENERAL D’ENTITATS JUVENILS de la “Direcció General de Joventut del Departament de Benestar Social i Familia” de la Generalitat de Catalunya (General Census of Youth Associations of the Department of Social Welfare and Family of the Government of Catalunya Youth General Directorate) This will open doors to potential cooperation projects for youth, and to various grants.
