Overview
- At the executive meeting hosted by UNAM, UDUALC president Jorge Calzoni and first vice president Miriam Nicado presented Rector Leonardo Lomelí with a recognition for the university’s 475th anniversary.
- Lomelí said autonomy is a core function that lets universities teach, research, and share culture without outside pressure, and he called for tighter regional cooperation to protect free inquiry.
- Rectors warned of political and funding pressure on campuses, voiced support for Cuba’s University of Havana, and reported that inflation in Argentina is eroding university budgets.
- Speakers flagged the growing power of large tech firms over knowledge production and urged exploring strategic links with China in research and higher education.
- UDUALC noted its network includes 239 institutions across 22 countries, and leaders framed UNAM’s legacy from a 1551 founding to 1929 autonomy as a guide for the region.