UTSA forms partnership with Mexico's premier social science institute
Mexican anthropologist Agustin Escobar Latapi (left) and UTSA President Ricardo Romo
Mexican anthropologist Agustin Escobar Latapi (left) and UTSA President Ricardo Romo
Share this Story(Nov. 17, 2014) -- UTSA President Ricardo Romo has signed a memorandum of understanding to form a collaborative partnership between The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and Mexico's preeminent social science research institute, the Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Superiores en Antropologia Social (CIESAS).
The agreement calls for the organizations to establish a program of exchange and collaboration in areas of interest and benefit to both institutions. CIESAS is the premier Mexican agency for studies in anthropology, history, ethno history, folklore, linguistics and the ethnological diversity of the Mexican republic.
The center studies a wide variety of contemporary social and cultural issues, including migration, water, indigenous communities, disasters, health, native language preservation, violence and human rights. It sponsors some 160 investigators working throughout Mexico, under the direction of Mexico's eminent anthropologist Agustín Escobar Latapí.
The agreement calls for UTSA and CIESAS to promote faculty, staff and student exchanges in a variety of teaching and/or research activities and professional development and study; organize symposia, conferences, short courses and meetings on research issues; carry out joint research and continuing education programs; and exchange information on teaching, student development and research at each institution.
"UTSA is a leader in fostering collaboration in education and research with universities in Mexico," said Romo. "This partnership reflects our deep commitment to the sharing of knowledge and to creating cross-cultural opportunities for our faculty and students."
"Mexico shares a history with Texas and similar problems, as well as an intense relationship of cooperation," Escobar said. "Promoting and reactivating our ties with this country's institutions are important. The strengthening of the relationship of CIESAS-UTSA, as a tool for the technological, economic, and social development of both countries, is essential."
Escobar hosted a visit in August by UTSA representatives Rene Zenteno, vice provost for international initiatives; Charles Crane, executive director of international programs; and Dan Gelo, dean of the College of Liberal and Fine Arts, to acquaint UTSA with the work of CIESAS and begin conversations about possible collaborations. Escobar visited UTSA this week to see its social science facilities and meet with faculty and university leaders to identify some specific ways that CIESAS and UTSA can work together.
He also delivered a lecture entitled "Improving Mexican Social Policy from Academia" at the Downtown Campus in cooperation with the UTSA Mexico Center.
"In moving UTSA toward Tier One status, we are developing collaborations and partnerships with the world's top academic institutions," said Zenteno. "UTSA is building a stellar block of partnerships in Latin America, and we are glad to have CIESAS on board."
Gelo added, "The partnership with CIESAS will be enormously important to the further development of the social sciences at UTSA, and a key component of our Latin American initiative as we seek to involve our students and faculty in compounding the impact of this prestigious institution."
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Learn more at the UTSA Mexico Center website.
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