EAST LANSING, Mich. — In time for the holiday season, handcrafted high-quality and eco-friendly handbags will be available for purchase locally as one MSU alum begins to help women in Thailand by selling her new fair trade products through local retailers.

The collaboration between Michigan State University, the University of Malawi and Lincoln University, was one of 11 partnerships of American and African university awarded a grant by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Higher Education for Development (HED) to help strengthen capacity at African universities. The African-led partnership will help expand the University of Malawi’s role in addressing environmental and development challenges within their continent.

Today, Michigan State University launched a new web site to provide free and open access to research results and innovative thinking on the issues of inequality in Latin America.

Michigan State University's Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies is bringing together international leaders for a two-day symposium to examine issues of inequality in Latin America and the Caribbean, which has far-reaching impacts on health, education, food, environment and the global economy.

A faculty member who works closely with the New Partnerships for Africa's Development was the winner of MSU's prestigious international award named in honor of Ralph Smuckler, a former dean of International Studies and programs and professor emeritus, at the 20th annual International Studies and Programs awards ceremony held on March 24. Karim Maredia joined 10 other honorees which included faculty members, students, staff, and MSU alumni and community members.

Michigan State University will centralize its London-based study abroad programs to Regent's College, a private college located in the heart of London, to improve quality, enhance the experience for all students and control costs. Regent' Park will serve as the base for MSU' faculty-ed study abroad programs in London starting summer semester 2010.

EAST LANSING, Mich. - With 86 undergraduate Michigan State University alumni serving in the Peace Corps in 2009, MSU is the top volunteer-producing institution in Michigan, according to 2010 Peace Corps rankings.

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State University will host expert discussion on United States-Canada border security and its impact on travel and trade between the two countries.

Michigan State University and the state of Michigan could benefit from recent efforts between the United States and the United Nations to improve their relationship, according to a U.N. official who will visit campus to discuss the changing relationship.

The New Partnership for Africas Development and Michigan State University will use a five-year $10.4 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to connect African biosafety regulators with advances in technology an initiative aimed at reducing poverty through improved agricultural practices.

In an effort to boost educational programs in sustainable agriculture and protection of national resources, Michigan State University's Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources will host a special lecture with EARTH University President Jos Zaglul on Aug. 10.

The Japan Center for Michigan Universities (http://www.isp.msu.edu/JCMU/) will mark its 20-year anniversary May 18 with a three-day anniversary celebration at the JCMU campus in Japan.

Robert Blake,Ph.D., a noted expert on livestock production and sustainable food systems in developing countries, has joined Michigan State University as director of the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies.

EAST LANSING, Mich. The industry of trade may help Michigans battered economy, according to Michigan State Universitys Canadian Studies Center and the Canadian Consul General Office in Detroit. Video News Release to be distributed:Wednesday, April 22;1530 to 1545 ET Horizons 2 (located at 74 Degrees West) Transponder 7K, Slot D Downlink Frequency: 11973.5 Horizontal Digital Parameters: FEC: Symbol Rate: 3.9787 Compression: 4:2:0

Following the Summit of the Americas, where Heads of State and Government, including President Barack Obama, will discuss greater security in the Americas, Ambassador Alexandre Addor-Neto, Secretary for Multidimensional Security at the Organization of American States, is set to speak on the same topic at MSU. The Ambassadors presentation will begin at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22 on the third floor of the International Center.

The 3rd annual Globie Awards luncheon was held Thursday, April 9, at the Spartan Club, where more than 150 were honored for the role they play in welcoming international students and scholars to MSU.