UVic-UCC is part of a Catalan delegation to promote research collaborations with Mexico

The vice-rector for International Relations, Josep Bau, and the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering, Malu Calle, were members of a Catalan delegation that visited Mexico City last week. The programme they participated in, which was organised by the SciTech DiploHub foundation, aims to foster collaborations with universities and research centres in the field of science and technology. Over the course of three days, the delegation established new partnerships and visited the facilities of the country's two most important universities - the National Autonomous University of Mexico and the CDMX campus of the Technological University of Monterrey, as well as the Research and Advanced Studies Centre (CINESTAV) and the National Institute of Genomic Medicine (INMEGEN).

The visit followed similar initiatives in cities including London, Boston and Shanghai. The aim is to raise the profile and help project the Catalan scientific and technological sector in the international arena. Jose experience positively, and says that "we came back from Mexico with a long list of contacts and with a great deal of optimism. This visit will help us a great deal in terms of strengthening ties and continuing to work with one of the countries that we believe is strategically important." The journey also provided an opportunity to visit existing partners and explore possible new collaborations, especially in the areas of research, master's degrees and doctoral courses.

According to the dean of the Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering, Malu Calle, the specific opportunities that were discussed "are much simpler when you can get to know the other party on a personal level and establish a relationship of trust with specific individuals." She says that "this leads to proposals of mutual interest emerging, which would otherwise be difficult or almost impossible if work is only done at the institutional level."

The Catalan delegation included members of the management teams of Catalan universities, scientific directors of research centres, representatives of technological companies and representatives of the Government of Catalonia in the country.