The Center for U.S.–Mexico Studies at The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) has extended a contract with the Mexican Council of Science and Technology that allows Mexican Ph.D. and master’s students — particularly those focusing on science, mathematics and technology fields — to study at UTD.

The renewal agreement, signed last week during a ceremony in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, will allow Mexican students currently pursuing graduate programs at UTD to apply for scholarships at the Ph.D. level . In addition, the contract calls for cooperation in such areas as graduate and interdisciplinary studies, professor exchange and research in strategic areas of common interest.

So far, more than 20 Mexican students have benefited from UTD’s involvement in the program in the areas of engineering and computer science and arts and humanities, and five additional students have been selected to begin graduate studies at UTD this fall. Under the arrangement, the students agree to return to Mexico to work after graduation.

“This partnership is important because it facilitates cooperation between universities and the scientific and technological communities in both countries,” said Rodolfo Hernandez Guerrero, director of UTD’s Center for U.S.–Mexico Studies. “We look forward to helping more Mexican students earn a graduate education and then share their knowledge with others as they return to Mexico to work.”

UTD is one of a number of U.S. universities, including Iowa State and Arizona State, already participating in the program. During the ceremony last week, letters of intent to join the program were signed by representatives of the University of North Carolina, Tufts University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, the University of Wyoming and the University of South Florida.

The Mexican Council of Science and Technology is Mexico’s equivalent of the National Science Foundation. UTD’s partnership with the organization began in 1999.

About UTD

The University of Texas at Dallas, located at the convergence of Richardson, Plano and Dallas in the heart of the complex of major multinational technology corporations known as the Telecom Corridor®, enrolls more than 13,700 students. The school’s freshman class traditionally stands at the forefront of Texas state universities in terms of average SAT scores. The university offers a broad assortment of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs. For additional information about UTD, please visit the university’s web site at www.utdallas.edu.