July 30, 2025.— The Universidad Panamericana and the University of La Sabana in Colombia have formed a strategic alliance with the creation of the Bilateral Fund, an initiative that strengthens academic and scientific collaboration between the two institutions.
This project, which grew out of a relationship that began in 2002, has come to fruition after years of student exchanges, joint research projects, and a shared vision for the internationalization of knowledge.
Objectives of the Bilateral Fund
The Bilateral Fund aims to establish an international research network between the two institutions by supporting projects that have a significant impact on research and are socially relevant.
Main objectives:
- Strengthen research collaboration by funding interdisciplinary projects.
- To promote internationalization by facilitating scientific exchange between Mexico and Colombia.
- Develop multidisciplinary research teams capable of addressing global challenges.
- To make a tangible impact on society by applying knowledge to address current challenges.
In addition, its strategic areas of collaboration are:
| University of La Sabana | Universidad Panamericana |
|---|---|
| Full Human Life (VITA) | Technology for the Industry of the Future |
| Bioeconomy, Renewable Energy, and Sustainability (BEES) | Ethics, Culture, and Society |
| Culture of Peace, Citizenship, and Family (PACIFICUS) | Human Rights |
| Digital Society and Competitiveness (SOCIETALIA) | Bioethics |
First call for applications: a success with valuable lessons learned
The Bilateral Fund was launched onNovember 27, 2024,at a hybrid event that brought together more than 100 researchers. During the Brokerage Events, common challenges were identified and interdisciplinarity was promoted in areas such as:
Work-life balance.
Biomedicine and health.
Environment and biodiversity.
Information and Communication Technologies.
Energy.
Food security and nutrition.
Challenges of parenting in marginalized urban areas.
Education and personal development in contexts of poverty.
Mental Health and Family Well-being.
Key facts:
- Mental Health and Family Well-beingwas the most popular topic (33.3% of interest).
- Information Technologyranked second (30.4%).
- A total of15 proposalswere approved, with the participation of89 researchers.
Selected Projects and Institutional Lessons Learned
Five projects were selected for their interdisciplinary approach and their potential to address strategic challenges in both countries. This first call for proposals yielded valuable lessons:
- Interdisciplinarity requiresspaces designed with a specific purposein mind and consistent practice.
- Collaboration between institutions requirescoordination, flexibility, and commitment.
- The Bilateral Fund is just the beginning of abinational communitycommitted to social impact.
Looking Ahead: Expansion and Academic Commitment
The Universidad Panamericana the Universidad de La Sabana hope that this fund will continue to grow, bringing in new partners, securing additional resources, and offering more opportunities to researchers committed to social impact, applied science, and international collaboration.
The Research Department at our institutions would like to express its gratitude for the enthusiasm and feedback we have received, which motivate us to continue improving.Because international academic cooperation is not just a strategy—it is a conviction.
