The Office of International Programs organized a meeting Monday October 7 between Wayne State University Innovation

Studio and presidents and rectors from eight top universities from Medellin, Colombia. The representatives were visiting via the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP), a U.S. State Department sponsored initiative that enacts exchange programs for foreign leaders.

The universities represented are collectively called the G-8, and their goal is to develop Medellin into a city that mixes private and public solutions to benefit its ecosystem, economy and citizens. Their visit to Detroit was led by Global Tries Detroit, which brought the Colombian representatives to TechTown to discuss strategies and topics for university entrepreneurship and innovation centers. Translators were present to bridge the language gap.

TechTown CEO Ned Staebler outlined the history and goals of TechTown and Wayne State University's economic development initiatives. Staebler discussed some of the challenges faced by Detroiters since the recession, and how they have worked to foster entrepreneurship and innovation that would benefit locals. WSU Innovation Studio Director Jenifer Daniels spoke about the ways that her program prepares students for their own entrepreneurial goals. WSU Innovation Studio offers students free resources such as a library, a collaboration space, workshops and others to help foster the creation of innovative ideas.

By Jacob Stocking, OIP communications associate