Office of Global Initiatives

Events 2024

January

New Year

The Office of Global Initiatives welcomed the New Year participating in meetings with different local and regional organizations.

Empowered - A Workshop on Binational Entrepreneurship

On International Edninucation Day, Dr. Pablo Arenaz, President of Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) and Dr. Claudia San Miguel, Provost of TAMIU signed a memorandum of understanding with Kotebe University in Ethiopia. Present at the sigg were Dr. James O’Meara, Dean of the College of Education and Mrs. Maria Eugenia Calderon- Porter, Assistant VP for Global Initiatives, as well as representatives from Kotebe University, the U.S. Africa Institute and the Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia, Gwendolyn Green.

February

Texas A&M International University signs MOU with Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM) San Antonio

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) in San Antonio, Texas. This agreement will allow for the recruitment, evaluation of students, and development and deliverance of coursework by the two institutions as part of the Global Seal of Biliteracy coursework. Signing the MOA was TAMIU's President, Dr. Pablo Arenaz, TAMIU's Provost Dr. Claudia San Miguel, as well as Ms. Paula de Gortari, Director of the UNAM San Antonio and as a witness, Ambassador Juan Carlos Mendoza Sanchez, Consul General of Mexico in Laredo, Texas.

March

Office of Global Initiatives Honors Four Outstanding Women for International Women's Day

Texas A&M International University and the Office of Global Initiatives celebrated International Women's Day by honoring four outstanding women from our community. The 2024 honorees and the professional areas they represent are: Margarita Taboada, Hector J. García Early College High School principal; Elia Guevara, Association of Laredo Logistics & Forwarding Agents vice president; Marina García Marmolejo, U.S. district judge; and Dr. Marissa R. González, family physician.

Office of Global Initiative Hosts Binational Dialogue Meeting

The annual Binational Dialogue meeting took place at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU). Mrs. Maria Eugenia Calderon-Porter, Vice President of the Office of Global Initiatives at TAMIU, welcomed the group and Ambassador Juan Carlos Mendoza Sánchez, Consul General of Mexico in Laredo, Texas, chaired the meeting. The event was attended by Dr. Victor Treviño, Mayor of the City of Laredo, Texas, as well as other leaders from the different sectors of our binational community. The closing message was given by United States Consul General in Nuevo Laredo, Erika Zielke.

April

International Executive Seminar with Universidad Autonoma de Tamaulipas

The Office of Global Initiatives and the Binational Center offered an International Executive Seminar to a group of 40 students from the School of Administration and Social Sciences of the Autonomous University of Tamaulipas in Nuevo Laredo. The students had the opportunity to listen to different speakers on various topics, such as logistics, regional and literature.

International Executive Seminar for Industrial Engineers of the Instituto Tecnologico de Nuevo Laredo

The Office of Global Initiatives offered an International Executive Seminar to students of the Industrial Engineering and Mechanical Engineering majors at the Nuevo Laredo Technological Institute. The Seminar consisted of four presentations given by specialists in the energy, logistics, technological and economic development fields.

May

Office of Global Initiatives Historical Meeting

The Office of Global Initiatives hosted a meeting with Dr. Jerry Thompson and Judge and Mrs. Mercurio Martinez who engaged in a wonderful conversation about the historical past.

June

Office of Global Initiatives Hosts Better Futures Institute Interns

The Office of Global Initiatives hosted the Better Futures Institute, an organization focused on addressing urban and social challenges in San Antonio. The Institute’s CEO, Dr. Alberto Gómez, brought a group of summer interns to Texas A&M International University for a day to learn about the Port of Laredo.

August

Office of Global Initiative Meets with Office of Public Safety of Santa Catarina, Nuevo Leon

The Assistant VP for Global Initiatives, Maria Eugenia Calderon-Porter met with Lieuenant José María Ramirez Reyes, Secretary of Public Safety and Roads of the municipality of Santa Catarina, Nuevo Leon, Mexico and with members of his organization. Accompanying the group was Professor Jose Alfredo Ibarra Lopez from Nuevo Leon. Collaboration opportunities between our institutions were explored during the visit.

Business Expo Laredo

The Office of Global Initiatives was present at the Business Expo Laredo.

September

Singing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hispanic Jewish Foundation of Spain

A memorandum of understanding was signed between Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) and the Fundación HispanoJudia from Spain. The Agreement allows for TAMIU and the Fundación HispanoJudía to collaborate in academic, cultural and educational activities. It also enables the parties to work on joint research projects focused on the history, culture, legacy, and contributions of the peoples of regional Sephardic Jewish ancestry.

After the signing the unveiling of a sculpture titled, "El David," by renowned Mexican-Jewish artist José Sacal took place. The sculpture is a symbol of courage and faith in honor of the Hispanic-Jewish families who helped build Texas. The piece is a donation by Fundación Sacal.

IX Binational Art Exhibit

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) and the Office of Global Initiatives hosted the IX Binational Art Exhibit. Artists of both Laredo, Texas and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas participated. The exhibit consisted of over 60 art pieces.

Presentation: Flying Whales

The Office of Global Initiatives hosted a meeting with Flying Whales a French aeronautical company founded in 2012 by Sébastien Bougon. Flying Whales has significant private investments as well as from the governments in France, Canada, and Australia. It has developed the innovative eco-friendly cargo airship, the LCA60T, which is designed to transport heavy cargo, but also to move containers. The representative of Flying Whales gave a group of local community and business leaders a presentation on what their project entails.

UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA DE ALTAMIRA PROFESSORS RECEIVE CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION

The Office of Global Initiatives received a group of professors from the Universidad Politécnica de Altamira, Tamaulipas. The group visited our campus as part of the closing of a virtual seminar on petroleum engineering. While on campus, they participated in an open discussion with Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) professors followed by a reception where they received their certificates.

Dominican Republic Delegationv Visits TAMIU/Laredo

The Office of Global Initiatives / Binational Center (OGI/BINC) received a delegation of government representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development of the Dominican Republic as well as investors from the country. This group is part of a special project to develop the Dominican / Haitian border and they were in Laredo to learn about the best practices of the dynamics of Port Laredo, from practitioners and experts. The OGI/BINC is dedicated to training, developing, and educating leaders through diverse resources, and we continue to create communication streams that will contribute to the development of international relationships that culminate in successful outcomes.

October

International Executive Seminar with Universidad Autonoma de Tamaulipas

The Office of Global Initiatives offered the International Executive Seminar entitled "Where Are We Headed" to students and professors of the School of International Trade, Administration and Social Sciences of the Autonomous University of Tamaulipas in Nuevo Laredo. The seminar featured speakers such as Francisco Marquez, who discussed the progress of the Bridge 4/5 Project in the region; Gene Lindgren, who presented on the new developments of Talise; and Dr. Ricardo Lozano, who shared insights with students on the meaning of leadership in today's world.

Judge Mercurio Martinez Interviewed On His Father's Legacy

Judge Mercurio Martinez was interviewed at the Office of Global Initiatives, regarding his father’s legacy and history of the papers being relocated from Texas A&M College Station archives to Texas A&M International University’s Special Collections & Archives department.

November

International Visitors Leadership Program On Human Trafficking

The Office of Global Initiatives hosted a distinguished group of visitors from Europe and Asia as part of the U.S. State Department's International Visitors Leadership Program. During their visit to Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) and Laredo, they explored our Port and gained valuable knowledge about the essential role of international trade, as well as ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and advance social justice. A special thank you to the TAMIU Center for Counter Human Trafficking and the Customs and Border Protection's Machinery Center of Excellence and Expertise.

December

A Night of Poetry

The Office of Global Initiatives hosted a “Night of Poetry” with Sylvia Elia Vargas, binational author and ESL professor at our International Language Institute. Malena Charur, binational journalist, conversed with Vargas on the different themes of the poems captured in the book “Echoes of the Muse”. Members of the community, coworkers and friends participated with questions and were able to interact with the author at this event.