Mexico-U.S. University Ties

TIES Program Helps Develop Jobs and Skills

Michigan Technological University and the University of Sonora are training a core of water resource experts to find solutions for Mexico’s water issues.

Alex Mayer, Michigan Technological University

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Mexico-U.S. University Ties: ExCit Program: Expanding Cities, People, Water, and Infrastructure

Since 1992, Michigan Tech and the University of Sonora (UNISON), Mexico have had a formal exchange relationship, which has grown into a strong partnership between the two universities.

Several grants have been obtained through the partnership, enhancing the departments in both universities. Approximately 50 faculty from Michigan Tech have visited UNISON for research and teaching collaboration, with visits ranging from a week to four months. Seven UNISON faculty have visited MTU for research and teaching collaboration.

The most recent grants spearheaded by the partnership are a three-year grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), titled “Michigan Tech-UNISON Linkage: Training a Core of Water Resources Experts,” also known as the “TIES” program, Training, Internships, Exchanges, and Scholarships (TIES) Program. The TIES program was highlighted in the Frontlines news for USAID.

Another program involves a four-year grant titled “ExCit: Expanding Cities- People, Water and Infrastructure.”

ExCit establishing a consortium of six research-based universities in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., for the purpose of exchanging students and faculty. The focus area for the mobility program is sustainable water resources management in North America. Both grants are in effect through 2007.

Additionally, Michigan Tech students and faculty cooperated with UNISON and Mexican government agencies in the design and construction of wastewater and solid waste facilities for the rural, marginalized town of Rosario de Tesopaco, Sonora. Designs and funding for construction of the project were approved by the Mexican federal government. Construction of wastewater treatment facility began in 2004.

More information of USAID story Mexico-U.S. University Ties TIES Program Helps Develop Jobs and Skills