Celebrating Five Years of UNAM-Boston’s Global Impact

The fifth-anniversary celebration of the UNAM-Boston Center was held at the Healey Library at UMass Boston. This event underscored the center’s contributions to academic and cultural exchanges between Mexico and New England, featuring remarks from academic and diplomatic representatives about its role in fostering international collaboration in higher education.

William Lee, UNAM’s Coordinator of International Affairs, emphasized that higher education must lead in addressing global challenges. He highlighted the importance of student exchanges and research partnerships with prestigious institutions, including Harvard, MIT, and Boston College.

Marcelo Suárez-Orozco, Chancellor of UMass Boston, commended the center’s achievements and emphasized its potential to contribute to an inclusive future, particularly amid administrative changes in the United States. Joseph Berger, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UMass Boston recognized UNAM’s significant contributions to supporting the university’s mission as a Hispanic-serving institution.

Javier Laguna, Director of the UNAM-Boston Center, reflected on the institution’s milestones: facilitating mobility for over 600 students, organizing 170 academic activities, and establishing partnerships with 27 institutions. These accomplishments underscore the center’s integral role in UNAM’s internationalization strategy. In addition to coordinating student and faculty exchanges, the center creates educational opportunities for U.S. partners through various UNAM departments.

The anniversary event also highlighted the importance of strengthening ties with New England’s Latino community. Beyond academia, UNAM-Boston has promoted Mexican culture through exhibitions and conferences, broadening its impact on the region’s social and cultural landscape.