In November 2022, 24 visitors traveled from Africa to visit Boise and learn about entrepreneurship in the community. This program was presented by Global Ties Idaho, Meridian International Center and the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program.
Global Ties Idaho, founded in 2005, is a nonprofit organization that focuses on sharing the state of Idaho, its people, industry and culture with the international community. In partnership with the U.S. Department of State, the organization provides short-term professional and cultural exchange opportunities for current and emerging leaders around the world, providing programs for 70-90 international visitors each year.
The latest group explored Boise State’s Venture College, meeting with Interim Director Cara Van Sant to learn about the programs offered, the entrepreneurial community and mentor network. The Venture College is part of the College of Innovation and Design and aims to cultivate and support entrepreneurship at Boise State with programs that allow students to pursue new ideas and launch ventures.
While on campus, the group also toured the College of Innovation and Design Innovation Incubator space. The College of Innovation and Design offers new and innovative degrees and certificates and is helping to create the future Boise State.
Yitzy Paul, Interim Unit Head & Assistant Professor of Emerging Technologies and Experiential Learning and Luan Teed, Outreach Coordinator, gave the visitors a tour of the Albertson’s Library MakerLab. The MakerLab empowers Boise State learners and researchers and offers equipment such as sewing machines, 3D printers, engraving and cutting tools and more. Users come to the space to collaborate, build, hack, invent, share, make, and do.
The group also toured the Boise Metro Chamber, Idaho International Trade, Meridian Library, Kiln, Trailhead Boise and the Idaho Technology Council on their visit.
