U of A and UNAM celebrate a decade of collaboration and chart a vision for the future
The University of Arizona International was honored to host a visiting delegation from its longtime partner, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), marking a decade of academic collaboration and innovation. Since UNAM established an international site on the U of A campus 10 years ago, the partnership between the two institutions has grown significantly, deepening ties across multiple disciplines and fostering impactful research and exchange opportunities.
This week’s visit brought together senior leadership from both universities, including UNAM Secretary for Institutional Development Tamara Martínez Ruíz, UNAM Vice Provost for International Affairs Dr. William Lee, U of A President Suresh Garimella, and Vice President for Arizona International and Dean of International Education Dr. Jenny Lee. The delegation reviewed the successes of the past decade and set a strategic vision for future growth, reaffirming their shared commitment to expanding collaboration in research, faculty and student mobility, and addressing global challenges through their roles as leading public institutions.
“The partnership between the University of Arizona and UNAM is a powerful example of what is possible when two globally minded institutions come together with a shared mission,” said Assistant Vice President for Mexico and Latin American Affairs at Arizona International Justin Dutram. “Over the past decade, we’ve seen extraordinary progress in research collaborations and student and faculty exchanges. As we look ahead, we are committed to strengthening these connections and creating even more opportunities that benefit both our institutions and the broader communities we serve.”
The visit’s agenda reflected the breadth of the UNAM-U of A partnership, with discussions on environmental sciences and sustainability, space sciences, law, health sciences, and social sciences, particularly in migration and human rights. These discussions underscored the institutions' commitment to tackling critical issues that impact both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border and beyond.
The partnership also benefits from the support of Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Consulate of Mexico in Tucson, led by Consul Rafael Barceló-Durazo, further strengthening cross-border cooperation in education and research.
This successful visit was made possible through the efforts of numerous campus partners, including Director of UNAM-Tucson Dr. Catalina Stern and Assistant Director Dr. Arnoldo Bautista, whose continuous collaboration and facilitation have been instrumental in every aspect of the UNAM-U of A partnership. Additional contributors included University of Arizona Research, Innovation & Impact, the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, the University of Arizona College of Nursing, the Lunar & Planetary Laboratory, the University of Arizona Space Institute, the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, the College of Education, the College of Humanities, the James E. Rogers College of Law, and the BIO5 Institute. Their contributions and collaboration played a crucial role in fostering discussions and strengthening the partnership between the U of A and UNAM.
As the U of A and UNAM celebrate this milestone, both institutions look forward to a future of even deeper collaboration, leveraging their strengths to drive meaningful impact in research, education, and global engagement.