Houston, Puebla, Mexico,
20
April
2023
|
09:49 AM
America/Chicago

UST Strengthens New Partnership in Mexico

“Pablo Nuno”:  Dr. Pablo Nuño de la Parra (3rd from right) with luncheon guestsLeveraging UST’s international partnerships is a key calling in the Greater Things strategic vision for 2030.  Sister university agreements with foreign institutions provide study abroad opportunities for students, research exchanges for faculty, and further internationalize UST’s student body. 

 Among UST’s newer sister universities is the Popular Autonomous University of the State of Puebla (UPAEP) in Puebla, Mexico.  The foundation of the relationship is to promote our shared university missions and scientific and cultural exchanges. A comprehensive university with a strong Catholic mission and over 13,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UPAEP is committed to “creating currents of thought and training leaders to transform society, in the search for Truth, integrating faith, science, and life.”  In addition to traditional undergraduate student exchange opportunities, UPAEP holds great potential for curricular and degree collaboration with UST faculty. 

Potential New International Student Pathways from Mexico to UST

Dr. Pablo Nuño de la Parra with Dr. Richard Ludwick in Link Lee MansionOn April 11, the Office of International Services & Study Abroad (OISSA) hosted Dr. Pablo Nuño de la Parra, Vice President for International Relations at UPAEP to explore avenues for academic exchange.

In pursuit of pathways to UST for UPAEP graduate students, Dr. Nuño met with graduate program leaders in Data Science, Diplomacy & Strategic Affairs, Nursing, the Semillero Center, and UST administrators.  The goal of UST’s “pathway” initiative is to streamline the application, admission, and transfer of credits by UPAEP graduate students to master’s degree programs at UST.  Upon completion of their studies at UST, these students would return to Mexico to complete their degrees at UPAEP.  This project could produce additional new Celts from Mexico as early as fall 2023.

Inspired UST Faculty

Dr. Rajesh Ramakrishnan, Graduate Nursing Student Success Center manager, was inspired by his discussion with Dr. Nuño about a pathway prospect to UST’s Carol and Odis Peavy School of Nursing.  “International collaboration in nursing has the potential to improve the quality of care, increase access to care, and promote health equity around the world,” Ramakrishnan said. “By working together, nurses from different countries can share knowledge and expertise, develop new interventions,  improve cross cultural approaches to care, and build capacity for sustainable health systems.”

Dr. Nuño’s visit concluded with a luncheon in Link Lee Mansion hosted by UST President Dr. Richard Ludwick.