Mexico City, November 10, 2026.— As part of its institutional research strategy, the Universidad Panamericana continues to strengthen its international partnerships and its capacity to attract external funding, establishing research and bilateral collaboration as strategic pillars.
Through the Office of the Vice President for Research (VGI), Panamericana reaffirms its commitment to enhancing the competitiveness of its faculty by providing access to international funding programs that support projects with significant scientific and social impact.
From France to Mexico: A Founding Origin in Lille
The strengthening of ties with French scientific institutions reached a major milestone in June 2026, during the fourth edition ofthe Franco-Mexican Forum on Cooperation in Higher Education and Research, held at Sciences Po Lille, France, as part of the 200th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
At that meeting, representing the Universidad Panamericana , were Abraham Baltazar León Soto, M.A., Institutional Head of Research at the VGI, who participated in the working groups on European and international funding (such as Horizon Europe and Erasmus+); and Dr. Hiram Ponce, director of the Center for Innovation and Technological Development (CINOV), who took part in the workshops on artificial intelligence and supercomputing research.
The University’s participation in this forum contributed to dialogue with French scientific institutions and to the development of new opportunities for international collaboration. This engagement laid the groundwork for the outreach efforts that were subsequently launched in connection with the ECOS Nord call for proposals.
Information Sessions in Aguascalientes and Mexico City
Furthermore, as part of a strategic follow-up to the agreements and collaborative initiatives launched in France, the National Institute of Science and Technology ( Universidad Panamericana ) coordinated two high-level informational sessions aimed at sharing the operational framework, funding guidelines, academic evaluation criteria, and competitive advantages of the ECOS Nord binational scientific cooperation program.
These interactive sessions, designed to foster multilateral synergy and strengthen knowledge networks, were held concurrently on both the Aguascalientes and Mexico City campuses.
- A Day in Aguascalientes
The first day of the event took place on October 27 at Aula Aguascalientes. The agenda included a tour of laboratories and research facilities, followed by working groups with professors and researchers.
During the roundtable discussions, priority was given to developing joint proposals in key areas such as agricultural sciences, environmental sustainability, biotechnology, and engineering, thereby facilitating direct ties with internationally renowned French institutions such as INRAE.
- Conference in Mexico City
Meanwhile, in Mexico City, the event took place on October 28 in the Aula Magna on the Mixcoac campus. The event brought together researchers, graduate program directors, and doctoral students.
During that session, the methodology for structuring applied research projects, bilateral funding schemes for the academic mobility of doctoral students and researchers, and guidelines for establishing multidisciplinary scientific consortia were discussed in detail.
In addition, a researcher from the University shared his experience as part of the ECOS Nord call for proposals, offering a practical perspective on the collaboration opportunities provided by the program.
Both days featured the participation of the official delegation, which consisted of:
- Dr. Georges Lomné, Full Professor at the Université Gustave Eiffel and Chair of the ECOS Nord Committee.
- Matthieu Baudry, M.A., Head of Administrative and Technical Management at ECOS Nord
- Mélie Cornet, Attaché for Scientific and Technological Cooperation at the French Embassy in Mexico.
In addition, the Mexico City session was attended by representatives from ANUIES: Dr. Silvia Ramírez Peña, Director of International Cooperation, and Alep Blancas, M.A., Deputy Director of Advisory Projects and Scientific Diplomacy.
The meetings provided an opportunity for direct dialogue between the academic community and representatives of the organizing institutions, addressing questions about joint doctoral supervision programs and the expected long-term impact on joint scientific output.
Institutional Capacity Building and International Outreach
The ECOS Nord program is a key tool for decentralizing and strengthening binational research between Mexico and France by funding four-year projects that ensure the mobility of researchers and doctoral students enrolled at institutions in both countries.
Commitment to Research
Through these initiatives, the VGI of the Universidad Panamericana reaffirms its commitment to purpose-driven research, equipping its schools and institutes with the strategic tools to successfully compete in international calls for proposals, expand their collaborative networks, and generate academic and social impact with a global reach.
The institution also thanks ANUIES for its support; its partnership has been a key ally in advancing these outreach efforts.
To learn more about research at the Universidad Panamericana, visit: https://www.up.edu.mx/investigacion/
