Earlier this month, during a visit organised by the Adeje Council, the director of the Petrick Idea Center at Illinois Wesleyan University, John Quarton, was impressed at the strong themes of entrepreneurship and innovation underlying much of what the borough is doing. Quarton was here to explore the possibility of bringing a group of students from the university to Adeje in 2023 for a week as part of a European learning tour.
Quarton was hosted by Councillor for economic development and ecological transition Manuel Luis Mendez on behalf of the council, and among his guides were Adeje scholarship student Victoria Ballesteros-Gonzalez who is a student at Wesleyan. Councillor Mendez commented, “Victoria is one of our brightest students and has already made an impression on her university, so much that they are now exploring the possibility of including Adeje as part of a European tour. We are more than delighted to arrange a visit as we feel Adeje has much to share in the areas of innovation and entrepreneurship. We are very interested in developing such links with institutions abroad, benefitting both our own people and welcoming new visitors and ideas to our shores. “
Quarton explained “The purpose of my visit was to meet the wonderful people with whom IWU student Victoria Ballesteros-Gonzalez coordinated to propose extending a student trip we are planning in May 2023 to mainland Spain and Italy to include a week in the Canary Islands”. He added, “Adeje and Tenerife offer beautiful landscapes and vistas, a rich and colourful history, a welcoming and diverse set of residents, and a vibrant community. I also noticed a very strong culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.”
During the four day trip Quarton visited Costa Adeje, the centre of Adeje town and the Casa Fuerte, the evolving sustainable urban farm in the town, ITER Eco Park, Mount Teide, Tenerife Top Training and different hotels in Costa Adeje.
Commenting on how a similar visit for the proposed group of 15 undergraduates would benefit the students, he said, “An important part of the mission of Illinois Wesleyan University is to offer students a comprehensive world view and to prepare them for life in a global society. The opportunity to visit Tenerife will attract students from a broad spectrum of majors and disciplines, which will enhance the learning experience for everyone involved. Adeje and Tenerife offer exceptional opportunities for students to learn valuable and impactful lessons about innovation and entrepreneurship in sustainability, renewable energy, science, technology, tourism, and sports in an area of the world a very small percentage of Americans have visited.”
Department of Communications
