Columbus Member Universities Assembly - Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla
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Columbus Member
Universities Assembly
Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla
November 13th, 2019
1
Prologue
President's Message
Dear partners, colleagues:
Once again, we met on the occasion of the General Assembly of the Columbus Association, a network of
European and Latin-American universities, very consolidated, with 32 years of existence.
Our Columbus network has as its main objective the development of international projects, the training of
university leaders, the use of a platform for international online teaching-learning initiatives and the
promotion of the participation of young talents in Nobel Prize meetings. Columbus also plays a very
important role in the dissemination of open science among governments and universities in Latin America;
an essential proposal so that the knowledge produced by the scientists of our universities is shared with
other academics and is available to society in general, to contribute to its development and well-being. In
sum, it has a portfolio of activities relevant to its member universities, although its scope goes much further.
It is not accidental my mention of the consolidated projects of Columbus. Its history strengthens us and
allows us to project ourselves. Certainly, his trajectory and capacity for innovation makes us optimistic to
respond to new challenges. In the immediate, the attraction of new universities, particularly European.
We live a world of networks. The challenge is to consolidate the vocation of the Association as an effective
articulator between two regions with similar cultures, but specific interests and situations.
The particular context of our region also challenges us urgently. In Latin America we live dramatic moments.
In this situation, all organizations committed to the development of higher education must contribute to
reaffirm the legitimacy of universities, contributing to the equity of our societies, the quality of human
resources, the impact on our environments. These values that both Latin America and the Caribbean have
reaffirmed at CRES 2018, constitute the shield for threats of disintegration, isolation and xenophobic
outbreaks that loom not only in this region but also across the Atlantic.
At a global level we must also contribute from our Network. The universal challenge is to contribute to the
fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The urgency caused by climate change
mobilizes our youth and engages us in the search for solutions. We cannot remain oblivious to the work of
repairing our badly wounded planet and the obligations that we have to undertake urgently to guarantee
the good living of the coming generations, as well as the formation of a humanity and work force whose
relationship with technology, big data and artificial intelligence has been substantially altered.
The Assembly of member universities is an occasion to evaluate what has been done in the last year, since
the Assembly at the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, objective of this report, and to discuss the priorities
for 2020.
All the members of the Board of Directors and the Secretariat are attentive to your concerns and initiatives,
confident that they will help the Association to better fulfill its mission.
I wish us then a fruitful work to move forward!
Hugo Oscar Juri
Rector - Universidad Nacional de Córdoba
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Activity Report
July 2018 - November 2019
Since the last Assembly in July 2018, which took place in Córdoba-Argentina, we have
reinforced support services for the internationalization of research, consolidated the offer of
innovation for teaching-learning, promoted the co-creation of projects and activities among
members and strengthened the network of strategic alliances.
This past year Columbus has achieved:
• Leading the Open Science movement in Latin America
• A broad positioning in the awarding of Erasmus + projects that has meant being
invited by the European Commission to make recommendations for the future
Erasmus + program for the period 2020-2027
• Pioneering in multilateral COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning)
• Promoting collaboration between Universities and Cities with a global alliance with
UNESCO, the United Cities and Local Governments organisation and its member
universities to advance in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals
• Becoming the official representative in Latin America of the Lindau Nobel Laureate
Meetings that annually organizes the Meeting of young researchers with Nobel
Prizes in Germany.
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1. International projects
In 2020, the first period of European Commission financing program, Erasmus +, which began in
2014, ends. It has been a favorable space to strengthen opportunities for collaboration among
members of our network. With 7 projects awarded, for about 7 million euros, Columbus has
played a key role in:
▪ The design of the projects, in topics of relevance to the region.
▪ The construction of specific networks within and outside the network of members, as well as
with non-university actors (UNESCO, UCGL, Ashoka, Sulitest).
▪ The accompaniment to our member universities in the improvement of the capacity of
management and coordination of projects.
▪ Generation of new skills for the external evaluation of projects, thanks to which today it is
invited by the European Commission to review the new financing program.
The European Commission asked Columbus to make recommendations for
the Erasmus + Program in Latin America 2021-2027.
The Directorate General for Education, Youth,
Sports and Culture of the European Commission
has requested Columbus to prepare a
reflection document on the Erasmus + 2014-
2020 program, in particular regarding its
actions for Latin America (Capacity Development, International Credit Mobility and Joint Erasmus
Mundus Masters) in order to integrate recommendations to the new phase of the program that is
being prepared for the period 2021 to 2027.
For the preparation of this analysis, in addition to the experience in the evaluation of projects and
the results of the projects already implemented, 31 members with experience in the participation of
projects have been consulted, in order to refine recommendations towards the improvement of the
financing scheme, the definition of priorities to be addressed in the next calls, the implementation
mechanisms and proposals, the distribution of roles between Europe and Latin America, the
implementation schemes and the management of the projects, among others.
Students4Change: Social
Entrepreneurship in Academia
The project has generated useful
With great success this year culminates
Students4Change, a project promoted by the Tec de material for universities and
Monterrey and a wide network of Columbus professors interested in bringing
members, who for three years worked on the design Social Innovation to the
and implementation of academic strategies to classroom:
develop in students’ competencies associated with • Skills manual
entrepreneurship and social innovation in academic • Toolkit: Social Entrepreneurships
programs. 70 pilot courses in social innovation were in the Academy
implemented, with the participation of 1614 students • Pilot experiences e-book
and 56 teachers. https://www.uestudents4change.org/
Coordinator: ITESM- Tec de Monterrey, Mexico.
Period: 2016- 2019
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Budget: 1 million € (aprox.)
Participating member universities:
Pontificia Universidade Catolica de Rio Grande do Sul PUCRS (Brazil); Universidad de Talca,
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (Chile); Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios,
Universidad de Caldas (Colombia); Universidad de Costa Rica; Universidad de Colima, ITESM-
Tecnológico de Monterrey (Mexico); Universidad de Aveiro (Portugal).
Participating non-member universities:
Technische Universitaet Dortmund (Germany); Pontificia Universidad Católica de Río (Brazil);
Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica; Universidad del País Vasco, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia
(Spain); Université Grenoble Alpes (France); ASHOKA (International Organization - Non-University).
CityLab: Engaging Students with Sustainable Cities in Latin America
The Citylab project that culminated in December 2018 with a large
conference at the Universidad del Rosario in Colombia, aimed to
improve the quality of higher education institutions in Latin America
through the implementation of problem-based learning, an
innovative approach to the introduction of real-world problems in
educational programs, with enormous possibilities to transform the
quality of teaching and learning. 1441 students, 185 academics were
involved in the project, 37 modules were developed, of which 20
student-led projects resulted.
Period: 2015-2018
Budget: 800 mil € aprox.
Coordinators: University of Antwerp (Belgium) &
Universidad del Rosario (Colombia)
Participating member universities:
Universidad de Belgrano, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba
(Argentine); Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina CGLU es el portavoz de todos
(Brazil); Universidad del Rosario, Universidad Tecnológica los tipos de gobiernos locales
de Pereira (Colombia); Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo y regionales, autónomos y
León (Mexico); Universidad de Lima, Universidad del democráticos - cualquiera sea
Pacífico (Peru); Universidad Simón Bolívar, Universidad
el tamaño de las comunidades
Metropolitana (Venezuela); Universidad Politécnica de
Madrid (Spain); Politécnico di Torino (Italy). a las que sirven -,
promoviendo sus valores,
Participating non-member universities / partners: representando sus objetivos y
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Universidad defendiendo sus intereses en
de Guanajuato (Mexico), United Cities and Local
el plano global a través de la
Governments, Spain (international non-university
organization); Aalborg University (Denmark); Université de cooperación internacional.
Technologie de Compiègne (France).
* The collaboration with UCGL resulted in a report on success factors in collaboration between
universities with cities and local governments that forms the basis of a joint initiative for the
realization of citizen conventions against climate change.
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CityLabCar - Engaging Students in Sustainable
Caribbean Cities
Inspired by the successful experience of the Citylab project in
Latin America, the University of Antwerp works with a
consortium of Caribbean universities to adapt the PBL
methodology in the field of urban studies in order to improve
the quality of teaching and learning in the Caribbean.
Period: 2018-2020
Budget: 900 mil € aprox.
Coordinator: University of Antwerp (Bélgica).
Partner universities: Politecnico Di Torino, Italy ; Aalborg CityLabCar launched a
Universitet, Denmark; Universidad Politecnica de Madrid,
Spain; Vrije Universiteit, Belgium; University of West Indies -
Moodle course in 2019,
Trinidad and Tobago; University of Trinidad and Tobago; which has given access to
Universidad Iberoamericana, Dominican Rep.; Pontificia +500 teachers from
Universidad Católica Madre, Republica Dominicana; University Columbus member
of Guyana, Guyana; Government Technical Institute, Guyana; universities to train in
Polytechnic College Suriname, Suriname ; Anton de Kom how to implement the
University of Suriname - Anton de Kom; University of PBL in areas of
Technology, Jamaica; Caribbean Maritime University, Jamaica.
sustainable development.
W-STEM: Building the future of Latin America: engaging women into STEM
The participation of Women in Science, Technology, The Columbus U-Benchmarking
Engineering and Mathematics programs in the Latin
Club in Strategies to improve the
American region is a complex problem in which
solutions from different actors are required, such as participation of women in STEM is
governments, private sector, families, as well as the direct antecedent of this
different levels of education (from childhood to higher project. As a result of this
education). This project seeks to improve the collaboration, this Erasmus project
strategies and mechanisms of attraction, access and
has the support of UNESCO and
orientation of women into STEM programs.
its SAGA-STEM and Gender
Period: 2019 -2021. Advancement- project.
Budget: 870 mil € aprox.
Coordinators: Universidad de Salamanca, Spain &
Universidad del Norte, Colombia.
Participating member universities:
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (Chile); Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar,
Universidad del Norte (Colombia); Universidad de Costa Rica (Costa Rica); Universidad Técnica
Particular de Loja, Universidad Técnica del Norte (Ecuador), Politecnico di Torino (Italy),
Technological Unviersity Dublin (Ireland), Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey, Universidad de
Guadalajara (Mexico).
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Participating non-member universities / partners:
Oulu University (Finland), Nothern Regional College (UK), Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María
(Chile), Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica (Costa Rica), UNESCO and more than 80 high schools in
Latin America.
Change the Climate: Assuring the Quality of Environmental Strategies
in Latin-American Higher Education
The environmental work of universities includes key activities such as education, research,
interaction with the community, campus operations, waste management, energy efficiency, among
others. However, their impact and contribution are marginal, if these practices are not framed by a
systematic approach, which promotes
This Erasmus project was inspired by two continuous improvement and ensures
experiences led by Columbus: quality. This project seeks to increase
the contribution of Latin American
the U-Benchmarking Club on Sustainable universities to Sustainable
Campus program facilitated by the Development, through the
University of Gothenburg and the development and implementation of
consultancy program to ISCTE and systematic environmental practices
and quality processes (Environmental
University of Aveiro to achieve its Management Systems) that improve
ISO-14001 environmental management and operations in
certification. Higher Education institutions in the
region.
Period: 2020-20212
Budget: 950 mil € (aprox.)
Coordinators: ISCTE- Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Portugal & Pontificia Universidade Católica
do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Participating member universities: Pontificia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul,
Universidad Federal de Santa Catarina (Brazil), Universidad del Norte, Universidad de la Sabana
(Colombia), Universidad de Costa Rica (Costa Rica), Universidad de Guadalajara, Benemérita
Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (Mexico), Universidad de Lima, Universidad del Pacífico (Peru),
Politecnico di Torino (Italy).
Participating non-member universities / partners:
Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina (Brazil), Universidad Nacional de Heredia (Costa Rica),
University of Gothenburg (Sweden), Sulitest.org / Kedge B. School (France).
I2LATAM: Strengthening Research and
Universidad de La Sabana and
Innovation in Latin American Young
Universidad de Caldas coordinate for
Universities
the first time Erasmus + projects
Research in Latin American universities has grown (I2LATAM and Climate Labs).
rapidly in recent years. In the case of young Columbus has accompanied both
universities (created around the 60s and 70s), this
universities in strengthening their
development has been particularly insufficient,
since they commonly lack research strategies and a capacities in project management
successful and coherent organization. Framed in and networking.
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this context, this project seeks to create an alliance between young Latin American universities in
Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Chile and Colombia, supported by European partners, in order to strengthen
the capacities for their strategic management of research and innovation in this type of institutions.
Period: 2020-2022.
Coordinator: Universidad de La Sabana (Colombia).
Budget: 950 mi €
Participating member universities:
Universidad Nacional de Río Negro (Argentina), Universidad del Magdalena, Universidad de Caldas
(Colombia), Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (Mexico), Universidad de Lima (Peru), TU
Dublin (Ireland), Universidad de Aveiro (Portugal).
Participating non-member universities / partners:
Universidad Nacional del Sur (Argentina), Universidade Católica de Sao Paulo (Brazil), Universidad
de Santiago de Compostela (Spain), Universidad Panamericana (Mexico), Universidad Católica de
San Pablo (Peru), Universidade de Porto (Portugal), Moverim Consulting (Belgium).
Climate Labs: Strengthening applied research and innovation capacities in
Latin America through co-creation labs for mitigation and adaptation to
Climate Change
The project will seek to design and implement the methodology of social laboratories applied to the
challenges of climate change in 3 countries: territorial clusters in Jalisco, Mexico, Axis Coffee in
Colombia and in a network of Brazilian universities. The social laboratories will seek to develop
innovations and applied research to experience solutions to social and ecological problems, in close
collaboration with communities, local actors, governments, and the productive sector.
Period: 2020-2022
Coordinator: Universidad de Caldas (Colombia).
Budget: 980 mil € aprox.
Participating member universities: Pontificia Universidad
Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), Universidad del
Quindío, Universidad de Manizales, Universidad Técnica
de Pereira, Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios Ashoka is an international
(Colombia), Universidad de Guadalajara, Instituto Organization that promotes
Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey - social entrepreneurship. Its
Campus Guadalajara (México).
mission is to promote new
Participating non-member universities / partners: ways of thinking and acting
Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Paraná, Universidade to face the most urgent
Católica de Pernambuco (Brazil), Universidad Politécncia social, cultural and
de Valencia (Spain), Université de Lorraine (France),
Università degli studi di Genova (Italy), Ashoka environmental challenges in
Emprendedores Sociales A.C. an innovative way.
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2. Open Science and Internationalization of Research
Columbus is leading the Open Science movement in Latin America.
• Columbus prepared the first and second edition of the policy
paper dedicated to Open Science, a report for decision
makers, under the commission of the UNESCO office in
Montevideo and under the auspices of the IDB. Aimed at
policy makers, institutional managers and project
coordinators, synthetically presenting the main elements
involved to generate reflections and facilitate decision-
making on Open Science and Research Data Management.
This report is an effective contribution to the dialogue - also
open - about the content, scope and benefits of Open Science
in Latin America.
• Columbus developed with 30 member universities a virtual
program on Open Science and Research Data Management to
know the state of the art on data management, understand
the main challenges and have the necessary inputs to initiate
or develop data management plans. This activity was continued with a face-to-face workshop
on: “Open data: processes and resources of the research data plan”. For more details on
Benchmarking, see the Benchmarking section below..
• Columbus has been the only
organization representing Latin
America that participated in the
XIV Berlin Conference on Open
Access, organized by the Max
Planck Society (Germany) under
the Open Access 2020 Initiative.
• Columbus advised and participated in the workshop “Towards a regional strategy for access to
scientific journals” that resulted in a proposal to create a mechanism for regional collaboration
among participating countries to strengthen open access actions.
• Columbus prepares for 2020 the presentation of an Erasmus + project in Open Science, with the
participation of the main research universities of Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Colombia, and
the coordination of the Politecnico di Torino.
Internships at Moverim, to improve participation
in international research projects
Columbus and Moverim have worked closely in the training of staff
of member universities to participate in international research
projects. A preparation to understand the complex world of
opportunities of the European Commission goes beyond a simple
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training to complete forms and requires, among other things,
By combining the application
to understand the mechanisms of operation of the EC and the
calls; identify and anticipate funding opportunities for of UNISCAN and the
university research; build communication strategies focused internships at Moverim,
on researchers' strengths and identify appropriate partners to universities simultaneously
build consortiums and strengthen relational capital. strengthen their capacities
for the development of
In the last period (second semester 2018 and first semester
2019), Universidad de la Sabana and Universidad projects with external funds
Tecnológica de Bolívar (Colombia) participated in this and the construction of
internship program. sustainable strategies for the
internationalization of
UNISCAN: a simple and powerful tool research.
UNISCAN is a tool that measures the competencies of researchers and the institution for
participating in projects with external financing. Its objective is to identify actions that increase its
performance in obtaining external funds, both national and international. UNISCAN begins with an
online questionnaire of 48 questions, grouped into twelve parameters. Parameters of the individual
profile of researchers and institutional performance are examined.
In the last period, Universidad de La Sabana applied the instrument.
3. Academic Innovación
Columbus Hub Academy : three years creating collaborative environments
that enhance pedagogical innovation and internationalization at home.
The Columbus Hub Academy aims to stimulate and support the development of collaborative
international online learning projects, between the member Universities of Columbus and the EUA
(+ of 600 European universities).
Approximately 95% of students will not have access to international academic mobility as part
of their studies. The Hub Academy allows academics to rely on this modality to give their students
international skills without moving abroad.
The Hub Academy has been valued by universities as an effective strategy of Academic
Innovation, by stimulating:
▪ The application of teaching approaches based on competencies and active methodologies.
▪ Working on real problems and interaction with actors of the socio-economic environment.
▪ International collaboration with peers
▪ Interdisciplinary approaches
▪ New roles in the classroom
▪ The use of new technologies
During the last year, the Hub Academy has strengthened support services, through the updating
and creation of project design and monitoring instruments, advisory sessions, home
internationalization training.
10Support services to teachers of our network
In addition, the website has been reinforced by creating an exclusive space for the registration and
dissemination of the practices developed and the results of the projects. All the details are available
in: https://www.columbus-hubacademy.org/en/home/ongoing-projects
To date, 26 projects have been developed with outstanding results:
Participating universities and number of projects:
• Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal (12 projects)
• Universidad de Colima, Mexico (11 projects)
• Uniminuto - Colombia (5 projects)
• Universidad de la Sabana, Colombia (2 projects)
• Universidad Veracruzana, Mexico (2 projects)
• Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Mexico (2 projects)
• Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico (1 project)
• Universidad del Norte, Colombia (1 project)
• Universidad de Belgrano, Argentina (1 project)
• Universidad del Pacífico, Perú (1 project)
• Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar, Colombia (1 project)
11In addition to the direct results of virtual collaboration initiatives, collaborations between
participating universities are extending to other areas of cooperation, for example:
▪ Papers and presentations on the experience of pedagogical innovation (Uniminuto,
Tecnologico de Monterrey, Veracruz, Aveiro, Colima).
▪ International mobility of teachers and students (Colima and Aveiro).
▪ Joint research projects (Veracruzana, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Uniminuto, Aveiro,
Colima).
▪ Collaboration agreements between the institutions involved (Uniminuto and Veracruzana;
Colima and Aveiro).
▪ Awards and recognition to the leading teachers (Belgrano, Uniminuto).
▪ Empowerment of projects and initiatives underway in the institution. (Uniminuto).
▪ Strengthened collaboration with local actors (Colima, Uniminuto, Sabana, Nuevo León).
4. Excellence Scholarships
Columbus is the official representative in
Latin America of Lindau Nobel Laureate
Meetings, which annually organizes the
Meeting of young researchers with Nobel
Prizes in Germany Once a year, 30-40 Nobel Prizes
gather in Lindau, Germany to meet
The Columbus Association has established an
the next generation of scientists
Agreement to promote the participation of young people
from around the world (graduates,
from its member universities in the Lindau Encounters
and has become its official representative for Latin masters, doctorate and postdoctoral
America. Since the signing of the agreement with the researchers) and to promote
Lindau Foundation, Columbus has nominated, for the dialogue between scientists of
meetings held between 2017 and 2019, 73 candidates different generations, cultures and
from its member universities of which 41 have been disciplines.
selected.
Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting - Chemistry (2017):
5 accepted candidates: Universidad de Belgrano (Argentina), 2 - Universidad de Talca (Chile),
Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar (Colombia), Universidad de Colima (México). The participants
nominated by Columbus for this meeting represented 27.7% of the accepted young Latin American
researchers studying in the region, and 20.8% of all accepted Latin American young people, if those
studying outside the region are included.
Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting - Economics (2017):
13 accepted candidates: Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (Argentina), Universidad de Lima (Perú),
PUCRS, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (Brasil), 3 - ISCTE (Portugal), 2-Universidad de
Barcelona (Spain), Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (Peru), 3 – Universidad del Rosario
(Colombia). The participants of this meeting represented 39.4% of the young Ibero-American
economists accepted. In Latin America, the economists presented by Columbus constitute 80% of
those accepted candidates established in the region and 33.33% of all accepted Latin Americans, if
those who study / work outside the region are included.
12Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting - Medicine/ Physiology (2018):
8 accepted candidates: Universidad Nacional de
Córdoba (Argentina), Universidad de Talca (Chile),
Universidad del Norte (Colombia), Universidad de
Alcalá (Spain), ITESM, Universidad de Colima, 2 -
Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (Mexico).
The researchers presented by Columbus for this
meeting constituted 50% of accepted Latin
Americans who live and study in the region, and
28% of all accepted Latin Americans, if those
who study and work outside the region are included.
Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting - Physics (2019):
15 accepted candidates: Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (Argentina), Universidad Federal de
Santa Catarina, Pontificia Universidad Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), Universidad de Talca
(Chile), Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (Equator),
Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Universidad de Colima (Mexico), Pontificia
Universidad Católica del Perú, Universidad Simón Bolívar (Venezuela). The researchers presented by
Columbus for this meeting constituted 47% of the accepted Latin Americans who participated in
the Meeting.
In 2020, two Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings will be held, the Interdisciplinary
Meeting and the Economics Meeting:
Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting – Interdisciplinary (2020):
30 nominated candidates (10 member universities): Universidad de Belgrano, Universidad
Nacional de Córdoba (Argentina), Pontificia Universidad Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil),
Universidad de Talca (Chile), Universidad de Manizales, Universidad Nacional (Colombia),
Universidad de Costa Rica, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Benemérita Universidad
Autónoma de Puebla (Mexico) and Universidad Simón Bolivar (Venezuela). Three independent
candidates from non-member institutions have been nominated: Comisión Nacional de Energía
Atómica (Argentina), Harvard University and Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium). The selection
of candidates will take place in February 2020.
Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting – Economics (2020):
8 nominated candidates (5 member universities): Universidad del Rosario (Colombia), Universidad
Nacional de Córdoba (Argentina), Universidad del Pacífico (Perú), Universidad de Harvard (Estados
Unidos) y Universidad de Barcelona (España).
International Teacher’s Programme – ITP
The International Teachers Program, is the leading global faculty-
development program that supports business schools in its aims of
providing excellent teaching Participants are updated in adult
pedagogy, share their methodologies and experiments, develop a
project for their School and participate in the creation of an exchange
network on three continents.
13ITP programs and participatig universities:
• ITP 2018 Aix-Marseille Graduate School of The program is led by 12 of the
Management: Pontificia Universidad Católica most prestigious business schools
del Perú and Universidad de Costa Rica internationally recognized: HEC
• ITP 2019 London Business School: PUCRS Paris, London Business School, IAE
The collaboration with the ITP program will lead to
Aix-en-Provence, Stern Business
a similar initiative for Latin American business School- NYU, Kellogg School of
schools in collaboration with professors from HEC, Management-Northwestern
Aix-Marseille School of Management and ESADE University, SDA Bocconi Milan,
and in partnership with business schools of among others.
Columbus member universities.
5. Benchmarking and Training Programs
Columbus supports the institutional development of its member universities through benchmarking
activities and training programs. The U-Benchmarking Club organizes free activities for member
universities that are developed in a virtual environment on specific topics. It allows the participation
of institutional teams and gives place to improvement action plans.
Columbus U-Benchmarking Club in Strategies to Improve
Retention and Success of Students with Academic Difficulties
Student dropout is a problem
that affects a large number of
universities in Latin America.
Students entering the university
come from schools that do not
have the appropriate conditions to
ensure adequate training or
because they belong to poor
sectors with limited access to
various cultural assets. This
problem is also presented in
European universities where, increasingly, they have to attend newly installed populations (from
different educational backgrounds) with shortages arising from the difficulties that presents the fact
of being inserted in a new educational system. This Benchmarking Club program invites Latin
American and European universities to share practices in terms of university strategies and actions
to promote and improve the retention and success of students with difficulties arising from their
school history or socio-economically vulnerable environments.
Facilitators:
• Víctor Manuel Alcaraz Romero, Universidad Veracruzana, Mexico.
• María Piedad Marín Gutiérrez, Directora de Docencia, Universidad de Manizales.
Period: September-December, 2019
1430 participating universities: Universidad de Belgrano, Universidad Nacional de Río Negro,
Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (Argentina); Pontificia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul
– PUCRS (Brazil); Universidad del Norte, Universidad del Atlántico, Universidad Tecnológica de
Pereira, Universidad de Caldas, Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar, Universidad de Manizales,
Universidad del Quindío (Colombia); Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (Ecuador); Tecnológico
de Monterrey (ITESM), Universidad Veracruzana, Universidad de Colima, Universidad Autónoma de
Yucatán (Mexico); UNAN – Managua (Nicaragua); Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú,
Universidad del Pacífico, Universidad de Lima (Perú); Universidade de Aveiro (Portugal); Universidad
Simón Bolívar, Universidad Metropolitana (Venezuela).
Problem Based Learning: Online Training Course (Moodle)
Program developed by the University of Aalborg and
Antwerp, under the Erasmus + Citylab project and is offered
to Columbus members thanks to an agreement with their
coordinators.
The online training course is designed to equip teachers /
professors and coordinators (people responsible for
disseminating PBL and academic innovation within
universities) with knowledge, strategies and practical tools
on how to design and implement PBL courses and how to
integrate PBL into academic programs (departments),
involve other teachers and ensure administrative support.
▪ +500 teachers and coordinators have enrolled in the
course.
▪ 100 teachers have advanced in their courses and
certifications.
▪ There have been two real-time videoconferences on
PBL, to reinforce and motivate teachers to complete the
course.
▪ Deadlines to complete the program have been extended
so that more teachers can complete their certification.
Virtual Program on Open Science and Research Data
Management
The Open Science model currently promoted, as
part of the parallel initiatives of Open
Government, Education and Culture defends the
value of information as a common good, and
includes in its scope: publications, data,
replicability, evaluation, research policies and
tools under open conditions.
The management of research data, whether open
access or not, should be considered by all
15research institutions as an integral process of their research systems and as an instrument adaptable
to different research practices. With the support of UNESCO, this program allowed us to know the
state of the art on data management and open science policies, understand the main challenges
related to data management consistent with institutional objectives, learn about first-hand
successful experiences and provide the necessary inputs to initiate or develop Data Management
Plans.
Academic coordinator: Paola Andrea Ramirez, Universidad de Antioquia, Colombia.
Period: May-July, 2018.
Participating member universities*: Universidad de Belgrano, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba
(Argentina); University of Antwerp (Belgium); PUCRS (Brazil); Universidad de Talca (Chile);
Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Universidad del Rosario, Universidad de la Sabana, Universidad
del Magdalena, Universidad del Norte, Uniminuto (Colombia); Universidad Técnica del Norte,
Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (Ecuador); Universidad de Alcalá, Universidad Politécnica de
Madrid (Spain); Dublin Institute of Technology (Ireland); ITESM, Universidad de Colima, Universidad
Autónoma de Nuevo León, Universidad Autónoma de San Luís Potosí, Universidad de Guadalajara
(Mexico); UNAN- Managua (Nicaragua); Universidad de Lima, Universidad del Pacífico (Peru);
ISCTE-IUL (Portugal); Universidad Simón Bolívar (Venezuela)
Participating non-member universities: Universidad de Piura (Perú), Universidad de Coimbra
(Portugal).
6. Summer Schools
Strengthening the exchange within the framework of the Summer Schools organized by the
member Universities of Columbus, emerged as an idea in the past Assemblies of Columbus to
stimulate a more horizontal collaboration.
Summer School in Medicine - PUCRS (Brazil)
PUCRS summoned students from Columbus member universities to attend their Summer Courses in
Medicine and offered a scholarship to one of them. The courses were held in January 2019 in the
areas of: Surgery, Urology, Obstetrics and Clinical Neurology, with the aim of promoting the
continuous development of medical students. Classes were held at the PUCRS' Hospital São Lucas,
one of the most important hospitals in Rio Grande do Sul, mainly in the clinics and units for
hospitalized patients and surgery rooms.
Scholarship recipient: Allison Cascante – Medicine student of Universidad de Costa Rica.
Dates: January, 2019.
UR Summer School “Poder y Corrupción”
Following this proposal, the Universidad del Rosario With more than 100 national chapters
(Colombia) together with the Peruvian member worldwide and an international
universities of Columbus: PUCP, Universidad de Lima secretariat in Berlin, we work with
and Universidad del Pacifico created the first summer partners in government, business and
course among Columbus member universities. The
UR Summer School in Power and Corruption was civil society to put effective measures
held from July 23 to 27, 2018 at the Universidad del in place to tackle corruption and
Rosario in Bogotá. The project contemplates the promote transparency,
realization of different summer schools alternating accountability and integrity at all
them between Colombia and Peru in the coming
levels and in all sectors of society.
years. Transparency International (TI) joined this
16initiative by supporting the creation of the first Global Challenge: Students against Corruption. Two
students from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru won the challenge and right to participate in
the Summer Course as well as to make an internship in Pro-Ética (National TI chapter in Peru).
Summer School – Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar
The Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar has offered, to students from Columbus member
universities, 14 tuition scholarships in four courses of its 2018 Summer School and 4 scholarships in 4
courses of the 2019 Summer School. The 14 students receiving the scholarships 2018 come from:
Universidad de Guadalajara (1), Universidad del Atlántico (3), Universidad de Costa Rica (9) and
Universidad del Magdalena (1). The 4 student beneficiaries of the 2019 scholarships come from the
University of Costa Rica.
7. Webinars
The cycles of online information sessions and face-to-face events on relevant and current topics for
Universities are held periodically, in which up to 100 people from member institutions participate.
EURAXESS Webinars
EURAXESS LAC is a European Commission project that
focuses on the development of careers and mobility of
researchers between LAC (Latin America and the
Caribbean) and Europe. EURAXESS activities, all free, seek
to strengthen scientific collaboration between Europe and
Latin America and the Caribbean. EURAXESS provides
information of interest to researchers (on employment,
financing, research policies, mobility, cooperation, etc.)
and support services for those wishing to conduct a research season in Europe.
Through the cycle of webinars that Columbus and Euraxess have organized on the different
financing schemes, researchers can have access to a vast database of mobility opportunities to
Europe and Latin America constantly updated. The institutions offer the possibility to explain how to
attract qualified human resources at the Doctorate and Postdoctoral level with Marie Sklodowska
Curie Actions funding to strengthen postgraduate activities in the institution.
Facilitators: Ingrid Le Van and Charlotte Grawitz, EURAXESS Programme Officers for Latin America
and the Caribeann.
Webinar 1: EURAXESS - tips and tools to seek financing and collaborations with Europe.
Date: May 8th, 2019
Participating member-universities: Argentina: Universidad de Belgrano, Universidad Nacional de
Córdoba; Brazil: PUCRS, Universidad Federal de Santa Catarina; Chile: Universidad de Talca;
Colombia: Uniminuto, Universidad de Caldas, Universidad de La Sabana, Universidad del
Magdalena, Universidad del Norte, Universidad del Quindio, Universidad del Rosario, Universidad
Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar,
Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira; Costa Rica: Universidad de Costa Rica; Ecuador: Universidad
17Técnica del Norte, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja; Nicaragua: UNAN-Managua; Mexico:
ITESM, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Universidad de Guadalajara, Universidad Veracruzana;
Peru: Universidad del Pacífico, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú; Venezuela: Universidad
Metropolitana.
Webinar 2: EURAXESS: Platform, Funding and Tools
Date: July 2nd, 2019
Participating member-universities: Argentina: Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Universidad
Nacional de Rio Negro; Brazil: PUCRS, Universidad Federal de Santa Catarina; Chile: Universidad de
Talca; Colombia: Uniminuto, Universidad de Caldas, Universidad de La Sabana, Universidad de
Manizales, Universidad del Atlantico, Universidad del Magdalena, Universidad del Quindio,
Universidad del Rosario, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar,
Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira; Costa Rica: Universidad de Costa Rica; Ecuador: Universidad
Técnica del Norte, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja; Nicaragua: UNAN-Managua; Mexico:
Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Universidad de
Colima; Peru: Universidad del Pacífico, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú; Portugal:
Universidade de Aveiro; Venezuela: Universidad Metropolitana.
Webinar 3: EURAXESS and the European Research Council Starting Grants
Date: September 3rd, 2019
Participating member-universities: Argentina: Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Universidad
Nacional de Rio Negro; Colombia: Uniminuto, universidad de Caldas, Universidad de la Sabana,
Universidad del Norte, Universidad del Quindio, Universidad del Rosario, Universidad Tecnológica
de Bolívar, Universidad Nacional de Colombia; Nicaragua: UNAN-Managua; Mexico: ITESM,
Universidad de Guadalajara, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Universidad de Colima,
Universidad Veracruzana; Peru: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Perú.
Webinar 4: Marie Sklodowska Curie Actions (MSCA)
Date: November 19th, 2019
Webinar: Raising and Mapping Awareness of the SDGs in Academia: the
Sulitest Tool
Higher Education Institutions (HEI) have a fundamental
role to play in raising awareness on the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDG’s) and improving knowledge,
skills and mindset to address social, economic and
environmental challenges for a sustainable future. To this
aim, Sulitest provides institutions around the world with
an internationally recognized and locally relevant tool to
measure and improve sustainability literacy for the
academic community: students, administrative staff, and
academic leaders. This powerful tool could be used by
Higher Education Institutions to design effective
strategies and put in place mechanisms to tackle learning and contribution on sustainability issues
and solutions.
Facilitator: Jean-Christophe Carteron, CSR Director - KEDGE Business School, Francia.
Date: October 30th, 2018.
18Participating universities: Argentina: Universidad de Belgrano, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba;
Brazil: PUCRS; Chile: Universidad de Talca; Colombia: Uniminuto, Universidad de Caldas,
Universidad de La Sabana, Universidad del Magdalena, Universidad del Norte, Universidad del
Rosario, Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira; Ecuador:
Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja; Italy: Politécnico de Torino; Nicaragua: UNAN-Managua;
Mexico: ITESM, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán,
Universidad de Colima, Universidad de Guadalajara, Universidad Veracruzana; Peru: Universidad del
Pacífico; Portugal: Universidade de Aveiro, ISCTE-IUL; Venezuela: Universidad Metropolitana,
Universidad Simón Bolívar, Universidad Central de Venezuela.
8. Columbus Partners
Columbus Partners is a structure at the service of all organizations committed to the transformation
of higher education and regional development based on innovation. Since 1989, Columbus Partners
puts its experience and the capabilities of its members at the service of national and international
organizations. Columbus Partners is also an extensive network of experts and specialized personnel
with the ability to apply their experience in different institutional contexts.
Multirank
"Internationalized universities perform better in the transfer of knowledge, the impact of research and
education." This is the main message of the latest edition of U-Multirrank, the multidimensional,
user-based approach, alternative to the international rankings of Higher Education Institutions.
As part of the U-Multirank Consortium, Fundación
Conocimiento y Desarrollo (Spain) requested the
collaboration of Columbus to increase the presence The CyD Foundation analyzes
of Latin American universities in the U-Multirank. and promotes the contribution
of university ideas that convert
Currently, U-Multirank coverage has been the acquired knowledge into
extended to 96 countries, 1,711 universities, more value and contribute to the
than 5,153 faculties and more than 12,500 study
economic and social
programs in 24 subject areas; 31 are universities in
Latin America, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico,
development of Spain. He has
Peru and Uruguay). Seven of them are members of been an ally of Columbus for the
Columbus. Institutions that wish to participate in development of consulting and
2020 can express their interest to the secretariat. studies on universities.
Environmental Management Systems (EMS).
For two years, the Columbus Association, together with experts from
the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, accompanied both the ISCTE-
IUL and the University of Aveiro in the conception, development and
implementation of Environmental Management Systems that laid
the foundations for ISCTE -IUL to obtain the ISO-1400 environmental
certification.
19The result of this support, the ISCTE- University Institute of Lisbon is, as
of December 13th 2018, the first Portuguese university to obtain
environmental certification in accordance with ISO 14001-2015. This is an
international recognition attributed only to the institutions that
guarantee compliance and the application of the best environmental
practices in their internal processes.
This experience can be replicable for those universities interested in
establishing sustainability policies in the management of their campuses.
GO-Spin
Update of the UNESCO GO-Spin (Global Observatory of Science,
Technology and Innovation Policy) inventory on open science policies and
instruments in Latin America for decision makers and the scientific
community in general. 42 new documents (laws, resolutions, information
services, open data policy, national decrees and regional roadmaps) from
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and
Uruguay were identified.
20You can also read
