Alumnus Discusses Research, Teaching Opportunities In Africa
Dr. Jim Myers, a Texas A&M alumnus in the class of 1962 who has spent more than 25 years in Africa, exchanged thoughts and discussed potential opportunities there for Texas A&M faculty, staff, and students during a luncheon on Aug. 24.
The event brought together faculty and staff members from across campus—including those from the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM), Global OneHealth, the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, among others—who shared with Myers their experiences in Africa, their study abroad programs, and the research they conduct on the continent.
Texas A&M is working with Myers to develop a new study abroad course for veterinary students in Africa, with an overall goal of increasing interest in traveling there. Texas A&M is No. 1 in the U.S. in the number of students who study abroad and No. 2 among public and private universities.
Myers owns a ranch in the Waterberg district, in the northern part of the Limpopo Province of South Africa, about 50 kilometers from the border of the Republic of Botswana.
Myers discussed with faculty the culture and climate of the region, as well as the needs there that Texas A&M faculty and staff may be able to fulfill through their research and teaching efforts.
Myers moved to South Africa in the 1990s as president of Southwestern Bell (now a part of AT&T) International Development Africa, Ltd., in an effort to develop and expand communications there. Under his leadership, the team acquired MTN South Africa in the early 1990s on behalf of the company; it was later sold. MTN remains one of the largest telecom carriers in Africa.During his visit, Myers and his 14-year-old grandson, Rory, who lives in Fredericksburg, toured the Texas A&M campus and the CVM facilities. Myers said he’s encouraging his grandson to consider attending Texas A&M, to continue the family Aggie tradition.
Myers also led a consortium, which included Malaysia Telecom, that controlled Telkom South Africa for many years.
