OSU to Host Mexican Delegation, Explore Partnership

Tuesday, January 31, 2006

OSU System CEO & President Dr. David Schmidly will host a delegation representing the Universidad de las Americas (UDLA) of Puebla, Mexico at the OSU-Stillwater campus on January 31st through February 2nd.  The ten member delegation will include UDLA President Dr. Pedro Angel Palou, UDLA Vice Chancellor Mtro. Jose Manuel Blanco Aspuru, UDLA Provost Dr. Francisco Guerra, and several Vice Presidents and Deans.  The purpose of the delegation’s visit is to meet with the OSU senior administration to discuss expanding the relationship between Oklahoma State University and UDLA.

President Schmidly and UDLA President Dr. Pedro Angel Palou will execute a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a formal commitment to develop programs between the two universities.  The visit will also provide the Mexican delegation with the opportunity to tour the Stillwater campus and observe the student experience at OSU.  OSU Provost and Senior Vice President Marlene Strathe will lead the discussion with the UDLA delegation to discuss how UDLA and OSU can work together in the future. 

Delegation members will also meet with their counterparts in OSU’s senior administration to conduct discussions aimed at significantly expanding not only university to university relations, but college-to college relationships and programs.  OSU Vice Presidents and Deans will meet with UDLA counterparts to discuss areas such as institutional development, research and technology, student affairs, business, and engineering. 

"We are extremely honored to host our friends and fellow educators from Mexico," said Schmidly. "We welcome this opportunity to explore how our two outstanding universities can partner to strengthen the learning experience at both schools."

The Universidad de las Americas, Puebla was founded in Mexico City in 1940.  In 1970 UDLA relocated to new facilities in Cholula, Puebla approximately 75 miles southeast of Mexico City.  UDLA has approximately 8,300 students and offers a number of academic programs through the doctoral level in a variety of disciplines.  UDLA is a university with strong international interests and commitments.  It maintains 154 agreements with universities from 25 countries on five continents.  It is the only private Mexican university that has several scholars who are members of the prestigious National System of Researchers in all areas of study.