As well as attending the third Universia Vice-Chancellors Meeting in Rio, Brazil, where Santander Universities announced 700 million Euro investment in universities until 2018; UCL President and Provost, Professor Michael Arthur and Pro-Provost to the Americas, Professor Alejandro Madrigal, met with some of Latin America’s top universities and organisations to discuss opportunities for partnership and collaboration in higher education.

Engagements included meeting with the Rector of Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC) to deepen the developing institutional relationship between UCL and PUC through the Engineering 2030 Programme.

The Engineering 2030 initiative provides funding from the Chilean Economic Development Agency (Corfo) to universities that plan transforming their Engineering Schools into world-class entities, with a particular focus on the four pillars that are increasingly important in the engineering field: applied research, technology development and transfer, innovation and entrepreneurship.

UCL formally supported PUC’s successful proposal and over the coming months will explore further opportunities for working under this partnership.

Another highlight was a meeting with the Rector of Universidade de São Paulo (USP), the oldest university in Brazil and one of the most prestigious higher education and research institutions in Latin America, to discuss a potential high-level relationship between USP and UCL.

A final meeting took place with the President of Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico (UNAM), one of the world’s largest universities with an excellent international reputation, and a long-standing collaborator of UCL.

Discussions spanned renewing a highly-successful research agreement in biomedical and life sciences, as well as exploring new subject areas for potential collaboration and partnership.

To discuss UCL’s current links and on going plan for the Latin America region, contact Professor Madrigal at a.madrigal@ucl.ac.uk or Julia Dawson, Assistant Director at the Office for International Affairs at julia.dawson@ucl.ac.uk

From 7-11 April 2014, a UCL delegation visited Mexico to discuss opportunities for partnership and collaboration in higher education.

The group visited a number of institutions and organisations including various Mexican universities and highlights included high level meetings at Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM) and a UCL alumni event held at the British Embassy in Mexico City.  In addition, the delegation met with the National Council for Science and Technology (CONACyT) to discuss developing and strengthening UCL’s existing relationship with them. The visit was supported by the British Embassy and UKTI in Mexico City.

Discussions spanned across higher education with a particular focus on medicine, energy, sustainable cities, innovation, entrepreneurship, social sciences and humanities. Of particular note were the discussions around the Newton Fund, which is part of the UK’s official development assistance. The fund aims to develop science and innovation partnerships that promote the economic development and welfare of developing countries.

The high profile delegation was led by Professor Alejandro Madrigal, UCL’s Pro-Provost for the Americas. Joining Professor Madrigal were:

• Professor Michael Heinrich, Centre for Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, UCL School of Pharmacy
• Professor Ann Varley, Department of Geography
• Dr Joanna Evans, Department of Spanish and Latin American Studies
• Ian Hamilton, UCL Energy Institute
• Nigel Percival, Director, Office for International Affairs
• Julia Dawson, Assistant Director, Office for International Affairs

Professor Madrigal said, “There is a long tradition of Mexican students studying at UCL with 83 students currently studying in London. It is important to us to continue to develop our partnerships and collaborations with Mexico in order to further enhance the opportunities and research links we can offer.”

The delegation gained substantial media attention, with news of the visit covered by over 50 online media outlets, including an interview with Mexico’s City’s biggest newspaper, Reforma.

The delegation spent time in Mexico City and Monterrey as part of UCL’s plan to develop its relationship with countries in Latin America, with Mexico being a key priority. UCL’s Latin America Network, which meets throughout the year, is helping to shape UCL’s engagement with Latin America.

To discuss UCL’s current links and ongoing plan for the region, contact Professor Madrigal at a.madrigal@ucl.ac.uk or Julia Dawson at julia.dawson@ucl.ac.uk