UA Welcomes Rector of Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
The University of Arizona was honored to host Dr. Enrique Graue Wiechers, the Rector of Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, the distinguished public research university in Mexico City often referred to as UNAM.
From April 16 through 18, Dr. Graue discussed collaborative projects in research, innovation, and Mexican culture with UA leaders, including President Dr. Robert C. Robbins.
A Future of Collaboration
The Rector also visited various facilities to learn about projects such as the Binational Consortium for Arizona-Mexico Arid Environments, a new 6.5-meter telescope to be installed in the National Astronomical Observatory of UNAM in San Pedro Mártir, as well as joint projects related to antivenoms, spearheaded at the UA by Dr. Leslie Boyer of the VIPER Institute.
Dr. Graue met with the deans of several UA colleges to discuss projects related to music, social sciences, the humanities, earth sciences, and space sciences. He attended the inauguration of Rincon UNAM, a new multimedia kiosk at the UA’s Main Library. He also experienced the International Collection of Children’s and Adolescent Literature at Worlds of Words and discussed adding to the collection of books published in Mexico.
New Pathways to Discovery
The Rector also signed an overall agreement between UNAM and the UA College of Engineering to create a framework for future dual master's degree programs in various engineering fields. The first addendum to that overall agreement is for a graduate dual degree – an MS in Environmental Engineering from the UA and an MS in Environmental Engineering Science from UNAM.
UA and UNAM leaders discussed a Binational Consortium for Human Rights, which will strengthen research on migration, human rights, and human security, as well as facilitate academic exchange. Bilateral collaborations in Music were set into motion and long-term strategies were discussed for the advancement of Science, including exchange of faculty, students, and researchers.
A Dedicated Relationship
UNAM-Tucson leaders also hosted Dr. Graue at the Center for Mexican Studies on the UA campus. UNAM-Tucson was established in 2015 to develop joint programs of study, encourage joint research projects, strengthen student mobility, promote Mexican culture, and support migrant programs. It reflects the dedicated 30-year relationship between UNAM and the UA.