News 2006

On December 13, 2006, the Mexico Center’s Holiday Reception occurred. The Mexico Center celebrated its accomplishments from the 2006 year with individuals who had collaborated on projects, programs, and activities.

Ms. Julie Barker, Ms. Annette Shenkir, and Ms. Tere Hurtado traveled to Queretaro, Mexico on November 27-29 to meet with Ing. Felipe Rubio, Director of the Center of Engineering and Industrial Development (CIDESI). Ing. Rubio gave them a tour of CONACYT Centers and discussed Texas A&M University’s upcoming Research Abroad Seminar (RAS). RAS will take place next February and will allow A&M faculty the opportunity to visit a variety of CONACYT Centers and to establish potential research collaborations with Mexican counterparts.

Mr. Paul Ryan, Director of the Safe Quality Food Institute, and Mr. Luis Cruz, Director General of AVQ Consultaría Integral, S.C., were the keynote speakers at the November 3rd Food Safety and Quality Seminar. Mr. Ryan spoke on “Safe Quality Food (SQF): A Food Safety and Quality Program” while Mr. Cruz’s presentation addressed “SQF for Developing Countries: Mexico a Successful Example”. Additionally, both Mr. Ryan and Mr. Cruz attended meetings on campus regarding the Mexico Center’s Food Safety and Quality Program and the possibility of expanding the program outside of Latin America and into Asia and Qatar.

On November 1st, the first External Advisory Committee Meeting of the Food Safety and Quality Program was held at the Texas A&M University Center in Mexico. The external advisory committee is composed of a group of experts that will participate in activities related to the program, assist in building linkages with different sectors interested in food safety and quality issues, and promote food safety and quality awareness, which will enhance the Food Safety and Quality Program’s efforts in education, research, and outreach.

The Texas A&M University Center in Mexico recognized Dr. Enrique Salinas, who has been one of the leaders in Mexico for food safety and quality programs. Dr. Salinas worked with the Mexico Center to develop a culture of food safety and quality program in the state of Coahuila. The Mexico Center presented a plaque to Dr. Salinas recognizing him for his support of the Mexico Center and its Food Safety and Quality Program.

On October 30 and 31, Dr. Gale Wagner, Professor (TAES) Vet Pathology R&G Base, visited the Mexico Center in order to host the US-Mexico Cattle Fever Tick Round Table Forum. The forum that addressed issues affecting the Mexican cattle industry. Individuals from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), USDA APHIS IS North America Region (APHIS), Servicio Nacional de Sanidad Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASICA), and Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias, (INIFAP) participated in the forum.

This forum was directed towards the producers, food retailers, veterinarians, professors, industrialists, and other people related and interested with the handling of foods.

The Texas A&M University Center in Mexico’s renovations were completed. The Center’s renovation includes a multi-use room. The room’s mobile walls and the flexibility in the placement of the new furniture allow for it to serve as one-large conference room for 80 people or up to 4 separate classrooms that hold 20 people each. Furthermore, the Center has high-quality equipment, such as: 2 videoconference systems, 3 Smart White Boards with projectors, 1 Plasma TV with a Smart Board, and a wireless network.

The annual Border Governors’ Conference (BGC) occurred in Austin, Texas. Representatives from the Office of the Vice President for Research and the International Programs Office attended the BGC as special guests of the Science and Technology Committee. During the BGC, the Science and Technology Committee finalized the Committee’s by-laws and the state governors’ approved the Committee’s resolution.

Texas A&M Representatives attended the Third Strategic Meeting for the Science and Technology Committee of the Border Governors’ Conference occurred in Monterrey, Mexico. During the meeting, the Committee finalized its resolution and presentation for the Border Governors’ Conference.

The First Strategic Meeting for the Science and Technology Committee of the Border Governors' Conference was held on November 3-4, 2005 at Texas A&M University in College Station . The second meeting will also be held at Texas A&M University , and will allow the Committee the opportunity to begin developing the goals established last November regarding science and technology along the border region.