Fox Announces New Partnership with Mexico
Goals Include Improving Air Quality and Establishing Cross-Border Technology Corridor

By Barry Jagoda I December 5, 2005

L R: Chris Woodruff,' Mario Molina, and Peter Cowhey with Chancellor Fox announcing Partnership with Mexico.

In her inaugural address, Chancellor Marye Anne Fox called for a strengthening of UCSD's international agenda. Wednesday, she took a large step in meeting her own challenge by announcing comprehensive plans for a "Partnership with Mexico." The partnership and cooperation program includes four initiatives to improve the quality of life for citizens of the United States and Mexico:

. Improve air quality in both nations by focusing on the Baja-San Diego region;
. Build a technology corridor on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border;
. Improve prospects for all members of Mexican society through innovative economic policies; and
. Deepen understanding and identify additional partnership programs, beginning with a full-time UCSD representative in Mexico City.

The new partnership was announced at the Tijuana Cultural Center during a daylong visit to the neighboring Mexican state of Baja California which included meetings with university rectors, discussion sessions with business, political and cultural leaders and a briefing on UCSD medical projects underway at the Tijuana General Hospital.

Chancellor Fox meets with Mexican business leaders.

"This partnership with Mexico represents vital collaboration, interdisciplinary excellence, and innovations that will benefit all of our citizens," said Chancellor Fox. "Our new initiatives bring together leaders from education, business, government, nonprofit organizations and civil society to address issues that deeply affect our health and welfare."

Changing the Quality of Life by Improving Air Quality

The first partnership initiative will build on the success of an air quality research effort underway in Mexico City, headed by Mario Molina, a UCSD professor of chemistry and biochemistry who received the 1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Molina's research has led to new insights into how major cities around the world can mitigate their air pollution problems.

The project will involve participation from researchers in numerous disciplines across the UCSD campus, including Scripps Institution of Oceanography, where Molina is a faculty member, UCSD's School of Medicine, Jacobs School of Engineering, Rady School of Management and the divisions of Physical Sciences and Social Sciences. The scholars hope initially to focus on characterizing the air quality of the Mexicali-Imperial Valley region and have already begun a dialogue on cross-border air quality issues with researchers from both countries at a gathering held at UCSD's Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies.

New Technology Corridor in Baja/San Diego Border Region

Chancellor Fox meets with Governor Elorduy of Baja California.

Already in place is UCSD Extension's "Crossborder Innovation and Competitiveness Initiative," dedicated to exploring how the Baja California-San Diego region can become more globally competitive in key science and technology sectors. UCSD Extension is developing a proposal for a $20 million program combining "hands-on" support for business activities with advanced research and non-degree executive education. This initiative should strengthen the biotech industry in San Diego by building complementary assets such as production facilities in Baja. This initiative will fund crucial preparatory work that is vital to bringing this ambitious plan to fruition.

Improving Economic Prospects for Mexico

A consensus has developed among Mexican policymakers that only by restructuring the economy can the country increase its global competitiveness and prospects for all citizens. UCSD's Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies, the Department of Economics and the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies have a renowned group of experts on the Mexican economy and on the effects of U.S. and Asian policies on Mexico. The "Economic Strategies" project will begin with a high-profile international conference that will examine Mexico's financial infrastructure and will take on such tasks as identifying barriers to entrepreneurship and several other elements of our partner nation's economy. UCSD researchers will act as facilitators for discussions with Mexican leaders, who will then form conclusions and make decisions on new policies.

"Economic restructuring in Mexico can have a profoundly beneficial effect on the American economy as well," said Christopher Woodruff, an economist and director of UCSD's Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies, one of the key architects of the partnership.

Major Increase of UCSD Presence in Mexico

Chancellor Fox hosts luncheon for Tijuana leaders

Finally, the partnership will substantially increase UCSD's relationships and involvement throughout Mexico beginning with the assignment of a full-time professional staff member located at the newly established University of California headquarters in Mexico City, Casa de California. The staff person will have a deep understanding of programs at UCSD and at Mexican think tanks, non-profits, businesses and governmental organizations. Through this initiative the representative will seek new and continuing opportunities for exchange and cooperation, and will be in place in the coming months.

The Partnership with Mexico is under the general leadership of Peter Cowhey, dean of the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies. "To realize the Chancellor's vision, we have proposed ambitious goals, but they are all within reach because we will draw upon the efforts of world-class researchers and scholars from throughout UCSD, working closely with truly exceptional counterparts in the academic, government, nonprofit and business sectors of our closest neighbor," he said.

A group of advisors for the UCSD-Mexico Partnership was also announced. Named "Founders," the group has already contributed sufficient funds for required initial budgets for each of the four initiatives. Initial members of the Founders include prominent academic and business leaders Aaron Feldman, John Moores and Richard Atkinson. More information on the Founders may be obtained from Judith Ecklund, Director of External Affairs for IR/PS.

A Full Day of Consultations with Mexican Leaders

Chancellor Fox tells NBC News about Partnership With Mexico.

Chancellor Fox began her day in separate meetings with Teresa Alvarez, director of the Tijuana Cultural Center and with the governor of Baja California, Eugenio Eorduy. The Chancellor and her colleagues shared plans for the new partnership and received suggestions on ways of moving forward. She then had a lengthy round-table discussion with top leaders of colleges and universities in the region. Accompanying Fox in these sessions were Cowhey, Molina and Woodruff.

The visit also featured news media interviews on the partnership, which received significant coverage in television and print media. News crews from Southern California and from Mexico television were on hand during the various meetings and particularly at the formal announcement news conference.

Respecting the normal Mexican custom of a late luncheon, Chancellor Fox held a last outreach session in the late morning, this one with area business leaders. Then she held a luncheon, for many of those she had met with during the day, at the residence of the U.S. Consul General in Tijuana.

Later the traveling party journeyed to Tijuana General Hospital for a series of briefings on UCSD Health Services projects in the region which was followed by a tour of the hospital facility.

The Chancellor and her group returned to campus shortly after 7p.m. which added up to a very long day of international diplomacy but a most satisfying beginning to a very hopeful partnership.