The Regents of the University of California today (July 19) moved to establish a UC international office in Mexico City to serve the expanding academic, research and public service mission of the university in Mexico.

“The creation of Casa de California will enable the university to enhance its relationships with Mexican universities, government, and industry, as well as UC alumni, many of whom are in positions of leadership in Mexican society,� said Professor Juan-Vicente Palerm, director of UC MEXUS, a multi-campus research unit that focuses on interdisciplinary research related to Mexico, Mexican Americans and U.S.- Mexico relations. “The already strong relationship between UC and Mexico will blossom in an extraordinary way by the establishment of this office.�

The approved proposal for Casa de California includes plans to house an Education Abroad Program (EAP) center for international students, a UC MEXUS research facility to facilitate and expand research alliances, and a University Relations office for the development of a UC Alumni Association in Mexico. The office will also establish links of communication and interaction with the California Trade and Commerce Agency (CTCA) office in Mexico City.

With the support of the University of California Office of the President and Gov. Gray Davis, preliminary funding for the establishment and operation of a UC Mexico City office has already been secured and a UC task force has been appointed to guide the office’s development.

The creation of the office builds on existing UC cooperation and exchange with Mexico’s National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT), which has facilitated more than 200 joint research projects with scholars in Mexico and California on issues of pressing concern to both countries – including immigration, environmental issues in the border region and economic development.

“Casa de California will be an excellent place for the best minds from both nations to work together to research and solve issues of common concern,� said Palerm.

Casa de California will help support the expansion of the university’s international education abroad programs in a variety of ways, according to John A. Marcum, university-wide director of UC’s Education Abroad Program. "The establishment of California House will enable EAP to expand and enrich its instructional programs in Mexico,� Marcum said. “A program focused on history, culture, economics, environment and demographics will join Californian and Mexican academies and students in an unprecedented academic venture."

The Mexico City office will be the second international office of the University of California. The first such office, California House in London, was created in 1999 to promote and facilitate research alliances with academic, industrial and governmental research and development centers in Europe; house the Education Abroad Program (EAP); and develop alumni relations in the United Kingdom and Europe.

A site for Casa de California in Mexico City has not yet been selected.