Global UNAM Weekly News NL29
HIGHER EDUCATION: A PILLAR OF LASTING DEMOCRACY, SAYS LEONARDO LOMELÍ
UNAM President Leonardo Lomelí Vanegas led the Encuentro Nacional de Rectores Universia México (National Meeting of University Presidents, Universia Mexico), where he underscored the critical role of universities as catalysts and guiding forces in times of uncertainty and social unrest.
He noted that they are key to reflection, organization, and societal transformation.
Zapatero Warns: Universities Must Defend Freedom and Science
The strength of a nation, including its freedom, scientific advancement, and the success of its students, relies on the vitality of its universities, said former Spanish President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero in an interview with Gaceta UNAM.
Zapatero emphasized that freedom is never guaranteed. When it is threatened, universities, culture, science, and education are often the first to be targeted.
Understanding Aging: From Cells to Society
UNAM’s Institute of Cellular Physiology (IFC) hosted the symposium From Cell to Society: Biopsychosocial Processes in Human Aging. A Call to Explore, Share, and Study, marking an important milestone in the University’s academic commitment to addressing a pressing issue at both national and global levels: aging and old age.
The event highlighted the need for interdisciplinary spaces where biological, psychological, social, and cultural perspectives can converge to deepen understanding of the human aging process.
López Leyva Highlights the Humanities’ Role in Building a National Research Agenda
As part of UNAM’s 2023 to 2027 Institutional Development Plan, the University launched the first session of the Health Forum: Care, Work, and Aging, aimed at creating a research agenda in the humanities and social sciences that addresses national challenges through the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Miguel Armando López Leyva noted that the forum reflects the academic strength of UNAM’s Humanities Subsystem and the capacity of its researchers to engage with urgent national issues.
Geolodía Brings a Geological Lens to Understanding Our Planet
Mexico recently celebrated the second edition of Geolodía, an international initiative designed to make geology more accessible to the public by showcasing the value and relevance of this often-overlooked natural science.
The event, held under the theme Geology and the Challenge of Inclusion, included guided field excursions led by experts in Earth sciences and science communication.
