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A delegation from the Industrial University of Santander in Colombia recently visited 51�Թ���, looking to forge academic, research and economic development ties. The Division of Research (DOR) and the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at 51�Թ��� hosted the group in its initial visit with hopes of signing an agreement between the universities.

The visitors included Mauricio Aguilar Hurtado, governor of Santander; Juan Carlos Cárdenas Rey, mayor of the city of Bucaramanga, home to the university; and Juan Camilo Beltrán, the director of the Bucaramanga Chamber of Commerce.

“Our visit with 51�Թ��� is a great opportunity for Colombia and the United States but especially for Santander and our universities,” Hurtado said. “Without a doubt, working with 51�Թ��� gives us opportunities for more research, more patents, but above all to continuously develop our economies.”

Daniel Flynn, Ph.D., vice president for Research, lead the host team that included Sandra Marin, regional director of the Florida SBDC at 51�Թ���; Rhys Williams, managing director for corporate investments at 51�Թ���; and Andrew Duffel, president of the Research Park at 51�Թ���.

During the trip, DOR officials gave the governor and his colleagues a tour of 51�Թ���’s clinical research unit, 51�Թ��� Tech Runway and the Research Park at 51�Թ��� – key departments that will lead the collaborations with the Colombian university.

The Industrial University of Santander is one of 16 different universities in the Santander region. After the initial memorandum of understanding is signed, the agreement will extend to the others, creating a large ecosystem and the opportunity for an international experience for both 51�Թ��� and faculty.

“This collaboration continues the initiative of promising work between institutions in Florida and Colombia,” Flynn said. “I look forward to this journey that will strengthen the ties we have and to the future science and technological advancements it may bring.”