Fact-finding mission by State Secretary Mauro Dell’Ambrogio in Mexico and Colombia

Bern, 06.09.2011 - A delegation of selected Swiss scientists and representatives of research funding organisations headed by State Secretary for Education and Research, Mauro Dell’Ambrogio will visit Mexico and Columbia from 7 to 14 September 2011. The fact-finding mission will focus on establishing with potential research partners in the leading universities of both countries and their research funding organisations and on ministerial level meetings.

State Secretary Mauro Dell’Ambrogio will be accompanied on his trip by representatives of the Swiss National Science Foundation of the Commission for Technology and Innovation, the two federal institutes of technology of Lausanne and Zurich and the universities of Geneva and St. Gallen. In both countries, meetings are scheduled with the leading universities and the respective research funding organisations. Ministerial level meetings are also on the agenda. In Colombia, the delegation will meet with the Minister of Education, María Fernanda Campo Saavedra, and in Mexico, with the Under Secretary of Higher Education, Rodolfo Tuirán Gutierrez.

Switzerland has strong economic relations with Colombia and Mexico. Independent research cooperation between individual scientists and institutions has also been ongoing for many years in the fields of education and research. In this respect, the Swiss National Science Foundation plays a significant role in supporting these good relations by co-funding research projects and awarding international scholarships to Swiss researchers.

The fact-finding mission serves to clarify the common interests and potential for further intensification of bilateral cooperation in the fields of education, research and innovation.

In Bogotá, the book "Expedición Helvética" will be launched. It documents the first Swiss fact-finding mission in Colombia between 1910 and 1914, thus illustrating 100 years of scientific relations between Switzerland and Colombia.

Address for enquiries:

State Secretariat for Education and Research SER
Rosmarie Kiener
Scientific Advisor, International Affairs Division
Tel: 031 322 47 25 (079 597 53 63)

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