April 23, 2009
NJ Revilla-Garcia

Opening reception kicks off HACU’s first Joint International Conference in Guadalajara, Mexico

An opening reception was held at the "Palacio Municipal" in Guadalajara, Mexico to kick off HACU's first Joint International Conference, "An Inter-American Higher Education Collaboration: Working together to Shape the Future of our Communities," April 22-24, 2009.  

Pictured (L-R): HACU President and CEO Antonio Flores presents a certificate of appreciation to Mayor of Guadalajara Alfonso Petersen and President of Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara Antonio Leaño Reyes on April 22, at the opening reception of the Joint International Conference.   

This year, HACU joined forces with two other higher education organizations: the Inter-American Organization for Higher Education (IOHE-OUI ) and Consortium for North American Higher Education Collaboration (CONAHEC)  to offer a Joint International Conference at the Hotel Presidente Intercontinental Guadalajara. The conference is hosted by the University of Guadalajara. Co-hosting institutions include: the Autonomous University of Guadalajara, the University of Guanajuato and the Veracruzana University.

The following are among the topics on the agenda: Agenda available here.
•  Curriculum change: Quality and relevance of academic programs
•  Consortia for graduate studies and the management of knowledge: innovation, science
   and technology
•  Culture and identity: The role of teaching other languages in the inter-continental context
•  The creation of an inter-continental academic space: accreditation and recognition
•  The internationalization of higher education
•  Financing education: The role of the State, fundraising and the private sector

Higher education officials, presidents, rectors, chancellors, faculty and staff of universities throughout the Americas and prominent European representatives will be among individuals attending the HACU –CONAHEC – OUI Joint International Conference. Also, expected to attend are the Secretary of Education of Mexico, the Governor of the State of Jalisco and local government authorities and consular representatives.