PLENARY SESSION 3

Scientific Capacity and Collaboration with Mexico click here for audio
Moderator: José Sarukhán, Professor of Ecology, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)

This session will give an overview of past and present scientific capacity in Mexico as well as focusing on some of Mexico's programs to build international collaborations.

Toward Science & Technology Cooperation Between Mexico and the U.S. click here for audio
Jaime Parada Avila, Director General, National Council for Science & Technology (CONACYT)

First, this talk will give an overview of Mexico’s science and technology policy. Then with this background, Mexico-U.S. scientific collaboration will be examined with respect to its potential to improve the economy and also within the framework of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Science Growth in Mexico click here for audio
José Antonio de la Peña, Full Professor, Instituto de Matemáticas, UNAM

In the second half of the 20th century, Mexico has developed a scientific system that is of good quality but still very small. Concentrated mainly at universities, the system has a poor infrastructure and, therefore, has had a small impact on industry and the economy. Academic collaboration with the U.S. and European countries has been important for the training of new scientists, although many Mexican researchers decide to stay abroad. Several proposals will be presented for bi-national collaboration that could help to strengthen the development of science in Mexico. Among the proposals are: exchange programs of postdoctoral fellows, exchange of scientific information (satellite observation, biological data, seismic data, tide data, etc.). Other proposals with environmental and economic consequences are the formation of scientific advisory committees for the management of water at the border basins, and for agricultural controversies. These proposals could be implemented and supported by NSF, CONACyT and the science academies of both the U.S. and Mexico.