Emerge Americas: hemispheric university consortium formed

A Hemispheric University Consortium was created in April 2018 to provide a structure for students, faculty and researchers in the hemisphere to collaborate. The agreement emerged out of a meeting among the presidents of 11 universities across Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada, and the United States. Discussions revolved around the creation of a hemispheric consortium, an idea which was eventually solidified with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles (3rd from left) is one of leaders of the discussion around Universities and Innovation Ecosystems in the Americas.

The Consortium will promote discovery, learning, understanding and a higher level of integration across nations. Areas of interest include public health and well-being; climate change, sustainability and resilience; gender issues; entrepreneurship and inclusive innovation; crime and corruption; cyber security, technology and innovation for education; and sustainable development. The prevailing philosophy is one of mutual support and sharing, attaining a level of international partnership and collaboration that is more easily attainable by universities than even governments.

The Consortium, which includes universities from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru and the United States, is coordinated by the University of Miami.