May 15. The Central American nation of Costa Rica and the North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC) are signing an education cooperation agreement that will allow training opportunities for Costa Rican scientists at the Kannapolis research campus. David H. Murdock, CEO and chairman of Castle & Cooke and Dole Foods, and Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solis announced the partnership May 14.
The signing of this agreement is an objective of the investment promotion tour headed by Costa Rican President Solis and his administration. The agreement will allow research internships and exchange programs of students and scientists in order to develop joint research projects and new curricula. NCRC Scientists will be working with Costa Rican scientists and students to advance research in food science.

The agreement will involve institutions such as NC State Plants for Human Health Institute, NC A & T State University Center for Excellence in Post-Harvest Technologies, Dole Nutrition Research Institute and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College along with the National Center for Food Science and Technology of Costa Rica, EARTH University, Dole Costa Rica, the University of Costa Rica and its School of Bioengineering, the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE), the Center for Crops Research at the University of Costa Rica and the Ministry of Agriculture.

President Solis said the alliance will benefit several state universities. “The agreement we signed with this organization [NCRC] will serve to transmit scientific knowledge to several Costa Rican universities like the University of Costa Rica and the Technological of Costa Rica, in the fields of human health, bioengineering, agricultural and foods,” said Solis,  “Our students will have access to scientific training in this prestigious university that will allow us to be more competitive and to have the continuous updating and innovation required by the Costa Rican human talent.”

“I am passionate about helping people to live longer and healthier lives,” said Dole CEO David Murdock. “We are bringing together the best scientists and most promising students on the campus of the North Carolina Research with those of Costa Rica to bring new ideas and new technologies forward that will make the world healthier.”