CANCUN, QUINTANA ROO. In furtherance of their mission to improve the welfare of aquatic mammals working in artificial environments such as the five locations operated by the Via Delphi Group in Quintana Roo, as well as to professionalize dolphin trainers in the basic principles of ethics, Via Delphi and its trainers have combined forces with two prestigious educational institutions: Universidad del Caribe and Uniglobal.

"Without a doubt this is a significant step towards improving the recreational dolphin swim industry in our country and contribute to a better Mexico", commented Francisco Cordova director general of the Via Delphi Group. He explained "We set the standards and provide a base on which to certify the professional knowledge and skills of our trainers. This education will benefit the dolphins first of all, it will also make us more competitive since we shall have well-prepared staff, it will also reassures our wholesaler clients with the knowledge that this organization adheres to established professional standards."

Courses will begin on June 5 for a period of 24 weeks. Participants will study basic biology under Dr. Alberto Delgado of the Via Delphi Marine Mammals Research Institute, and will include training in dolphin behavior, hygiene, health, nutrition, as well as ethics, values, professional conduct and proper communication techniques.

Another renowned specialist who will share his knowledge with our team is Ken Ramirez, University of Chicago professor and vice president of the Animal Collections & Training at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, he is also an authority on the behavior and training aquatic mammal and their behavior. The investment cost of this University Professional Certification will be financed by the Via Delphi Group, and there is a possibility that students could be refunded up to 80% of their tuition fees. "We are doing this in the belief that knowledge gives power and dignity to people, but it cannot be given away, it must have a price to be appreciated" commented Francisco Cordova.

The Universidad del Caribe was founded on September 29, 2000, it is a public institution whose prestige is based on the timeliness, quality and relevance of the courses it offers in its study programs which under the ANUIES grading scale qualifies it as a level 1 institution, the top rating given any institution on a scale of three. Together the Via Delphi Group and Francisco Cordova have always stood solidly behind the University and its support of professional development in the Mexican Caribbean tourism industry.

Uniglobal was created in the year 2003 in Cancun, Quintana Roo to help expand the number of professionals working in tourism and set higher industry standards. It has become the most recognized model for measuring the achievement of professionals whose knowledge and skills are fully up to date in their chosen profession or specialty. Uniglobal is ISO 9001-2000 certified, this guarantees the educational standard of their certification process and is important for developing a successful career in this field.

Says Uniglobal's Director General, Luis Manuel Rivera, "In order to complete the certification process for this important project we worked closely with Via Delphi executives, thanks to the support of Francisco Cordova and his team of professionals this project is now a reality."

DTS, S.C.

DTS, S.C.

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