Emmanuel Zamora-Romero is working on his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at UTSA, from where he will potentially take his research on seismic strength to influence design practices that could save lives in Mexico and the US while generating revenue for the construction industry.
He is among more than 100 graduate students conducting joint research across the border through ConTex, a collaborative initiative between The University of Texas System (UTS) and Mexico’s National Council of Humanities, Sciences and Technologies (Conahcyt).
This program was established in 2016 to promote academic and research collaboration between Texas and Mexico. It has already supported over 125 Mexican students who have received scholarships to pursue their doctoral studies at one of the 14 UT System institutions.
The UTS is among a select few organizations with a binational agreement with the government of Mexico. As part of this partnership, ConTex was established at UTSA, which is strategically located in San Antonio and has strong ties to Mexico.
ConTex has also contributed significantly to UTSA’s goal of becoming a premier research university that prepares students for global leadership roles. The program provides students with full administrative and financial support, enabling them to focus on their studies without worrying about funding or administrative tasks.
The ConTex-Conahcyt Doctoral Award program provides up to five years of financial support, which includes in-state tuition rates, a monthly stipend, and health insurance coverage. This financial assistance is crucial for Mexican students pursuing doctoral degrees in the US, as it allows them to concentrate on their research without worrying about funding.
One ConTex awardee, Carlos Alberto Marquez Ibarra, is working towards his Ph.D. in Physics at UTSA. He has received a grant from ConTex to support his research project on developing a chemical sensor that can detect contaminants in water. This innovative technology aims to improve water quality and ensure its availability for communities in need.
Another student, Vania Ledesma-Espino, is pursuing her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Texas at Austin through ConTex. Her research focuses on the linguistic dynamics of transnational children and adolescents among migrant families returning to Mexico from the US. Her findings challenge common assumptions about these children’s language abilities.
Both Zamora-Romero and Ledesma-Espino plan to take their knowledge back to Mexico after completing their studies, where they will apply it to improve lives and contribute to their respective fields.
The success of ConTex has led to an increase in the number of students participating in the program. From 38 doctoral degree recipients so far, many have gone on to become researchers or professors at various Mexican institutions.
ConTex’s impact extends beyond UTSA, benefiting all UT System institutions involved in the partnership. As the organization continues to build bridges between Mexico and the US through academic collaboration, it is poised for even greater success in the years ahead.
The program not only supports students financially but also provides them with essential resources, such as health insurance and research grants, to help them navigate their doctoral studies.
ConTex has created a new generation of scientific diplomats between Mexico and US institutions, forging global partnerships that are crucial for advancing academic and research collaboration.
UTSA’s location in San Antonio makes it an ideal hub for the ConTex program, given its strong ties with Mexico. The university is well-positioned to take advantage of these relationships and advance its profile as a premier public research university.
The UT System has committed over $31 million to ConTex since its inception in 2016, demonstrating its commitment to fostering academic collaboration between Texas and Mexico.
Conahcyt and the UTS have established a binational agreement that has enabled ConTex to flourish and support numerous Mexican students pursuing doctoral degrees at US institutions. The program’s success is a testament to the power of collaborative initiatives in advancing academic and research collaboration between countries.
The bridges built by ConTex are not only bridging gaps academically but also culturally, creating opportunities for meaningful exchange between Mexico and the US.
ConTex has made significant contributions to UTSA’s goal of becoming a premier research university that prepares students for global leadership roles. The program provides students with full administrative and financial support, enabling them to focus on their studies without worrying about funding or administrative tasks.
The ConTex-Conahcyt Doctoral Award program provides up to five years of financial support, including in-state tuition rates, a monthly stipend, and health insurance coverage. This financial assistance is crucial for Mexican students pursuing doctoral degrees in the US, as it allows them to concentrate on their research without worrying about funding.
The success of ConTex has led to an increase in the number of students participating in the program. From 38 doctoral degree recipients so far, many have gone on to become researchers or professors at various Mexican institutions.
ConTex’s impact extends beyond UTSA, benefiting all UT System institutions involved in the partnership. As the organization continues to build bridges between Mexico and the US through academic collaboration, it is poised for even greater success in the years ahead.
The program not only supports students financially but also provides them with essential resources, such as health insurance and research grants, to help them navigate their doctoral studies.
ConTex has created a new generation of scientific diplomats between Mexico and US institutions, forging global partnerships that are crucial for advancing academic and research collaboration.
UTSA’s location in San Antonio makes it an ideal hub for the ConTex program, given its strong ties with Mexico. The university is well-positioned to take advantage of these relationships and advance its profile as a premier public research university.
The UT System has committed over $31 million to ConTex since its inception in 2016, demonstrating its commitment to fostering academic collaboration between Texas and Mexico.
Conahcyt and the UTS have established a binational agreement that has enabled ConTex to flourish and support numerous Mexican students pursuing doctoral degrees at US institutions. The program’s success is a testament to the power of collaborative initiatives in advancing academic and research collaboration between countries.
The bridges built by ConTex are not only bridging gaps academically but also culturally, creating opportunities for meaningful exchange between Mexico and the US.
Source: UTSA.edu
