SAN ANTONIO — The University of Texas System took yet another important step in establishing and enhancing ties with Mexico today as UT System and Mexico’s National Council of Science and Technology formed a partnership to develop new academic and research programs.
UT System Chancellor William H. McRaven officially signed a memorandum of understanding with the council — also known as CONACYT— at a ceremony at UT San Antonio. The agreement provides a legal framework for the System’s 14 institutions to collaborate with CONACYT to develop a wide variety of STEM-related research and academic programs for faculty and students. Several UT System institutions currently have existing relationships with CONACYT for research collaboration and graduate student funding.
“Mexico is more than just our friend,” McRaven said. “Each one of our academic and health institutions benefits from our proximity to and relationship with Mexico, and the same can be said of Texas itself. Our partnership with CONACYT is essential to building a knowledge exchange to make new discoveries in science, health care and technology.”
The agreement will enable joint academic programs to be developed in STEM fields such as applied math and modeling; biology and chemistry; biochemistry and agricultural sciences, earth, coastal and marine sciences; energy; environment; industrial manufacturing technologies; information technology and telecommunications; materials; medicine and health; nanotechnology; and space sciences and technologies.
“I think this agreement provides wonderful research opportunities in many critical and exciting areas, including space technology, the Gulf of Mexico’s coastal environment, medicine and health at the border, and promoting economic development,” said Randy Charbeneau, UT System’s assistant vice chancellor for research. “It gives the UT System international relationships south of the border.”
The System and CONACYT will also organize missions for professors, students and professionals to work on mutual projects; develop workshops, conferences and seminars focusing on common areas; and exchange, as appropriate, scientific and technological information.
"Knowledge is global,” said Enrique Cabrero, director of CONACYT. “The signing of this memorandum represents an important step in new areas of true cooperation."
