OSU to host Mexican delegation, explore partnership

Tuesday, January 31, 2006

OSU System CEO and President David Schmidly will host a delegation representing the Universidad de las Americas of Puebla, Mexico, at the OSU-Stillwater campus on Jan. 31 through Feb. 2. 

The 10-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 delegation’s purpose is to meet with the OSU senior administration to discuss expanding the relationship between OSU and UDLA.

Dr. Schmidly and Palou will execute a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a formal commitment to develop programs between the two universities. The visit will also allow the Mexican delegation 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 discuss significantly expanding university-to-university relations, college-to-college relationships, and programs. OSU vice presidents and deans will meet with UDLA counterparts to discuss institutional development, research and technology, student affairs, business, and engineering. 

"We are extremely honored to host our friends and fellow educators from Mexico," Schmidly said. "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 several academic programs through the doctoral level in various disciplines. 

UDLA is a university with solid international interests and commitments. It maintains 154 agreements with universities from 25 countries on five continents. It is the only private Mexican university with several scholars who are members of the prestigious National System of Researchers in all areas of study.