New Mexico State University’s (NMSU) College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences has formed a new partnership with Paraguay’s government to further mutual goals and interests related to agriculture through collaboration.
The College of ACES formalized the partnership last month through a memorandum of understanding with Paraguay’s Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries.
“Paraguay wants to improve its livestock and agriculture management using the latest physical technologies,” said Manoj Shukla, director of Aggies Go Global and ACES professor who led efforts on behalf of ACES to create the partnership with Paraguay.
Over the coming months, Shukla said he plans to work closely with his counterpart at the agency to identify possible projects and funding sources.
The new agreement builds on an ongoing initiative led by College of ACES Dean Rolando A. Flores Galarza to expand the college’s footprint globally, focusing on digital agriculture.
Under the global initiative, ACES faculty and alumni are working together to strengthen overall scientific-technological cooperation throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
“This agreement formalizes the long-standing ties of NMSU and its alumni in Paraguay. The activities that will be generated from this MOU will not only benefit NMSU students and faculty by creating opportunities to expand their global views, but also creates a basis to market opportunities for New Mexico agriculture,” Flores Galarza said.
In addition to the collaboration with Paraguay, the college also has established partnerships with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture and public and private organizations in the LAC region, including the Universidad de Montevideo, Universidad de la Empresa and Universidad Tecnológica in Uruguay and Universidad de San Carlos in Paraguay.
The goal of the initiative is to contribute to sustainable development through Latin America and the Caribbean, said ACES alumnus Mario Allegri, who plays an integral role in the effort.
“This new agreement with Paraguay promotes collaborative activities and complementing capacities in various topics of common interest, driven by the ACES four pillars,” Allegri said. “It strengthens the international footprint of ACES/NMSU through scientific-technological cooperation, particularly by reinforcing the relationship with LAC region.”
Allegri said the new agreement represents “an opportunity to go in-depth in a positive relationship related to scientific and technological cooperation between NMSU and Paraguay.”
Allegri added that the initiative serves to reconnect ACES and NMSU alumni, amplify the impact of NMSU globally, and benefits ACES students and faculty through research opportunities, including internships.
For example, agreement with the Universidad San Carlos allows NMSU students to spend time at the school, either studying for a semester or visiting for shorter periods, Shukla said. The opportunities to travel or study abroad are open to all NMSU students, he added.
Also last month, ACES hosted the third International Agribusiness Congress with the Universidad de la Empresa and Universidad San Carlos – another activity to come out of the initiative. Flores participated in the opening ceremony of the two-day, virtual conference, highlighting NMSU’s priority for developing joint activities in the LAC region, particularly in the Southern Cone.
The conference had more than 1,000 participants, including researchers, stakeholders and students, in attendance.
For more information about the college’s partnerships in the LAC region, contact Shukla at 575-646-2324 or [email protected].
Author: Carlos Andres López – NMSU
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