UQ and Latin America & the Caribbean - Global Engagement - University of Queensland

Based in Santiago, UQ's International Relations Manager for Latin America fosters engagement with universities, government agencies, corporate networks, and non-governmental organisations, while supporting alumni in the region.

Joining Colombia and Brazil on the Zika front line

UQ researchers have closely collaborated with Latin American authorities since the 2015-16 Zika virus epidemic. In 2016, epidemiologist Dr Ricardo Soares Magalhaes, of the School of Veterinary Science and Child Health Research Centre, led a UQ team to Brazil and Colombia to share research expertise and to identfy disease hot-spots and at-risk communities. The project involved the National University of Colombia, Brazil's Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, and both countries' Ministries of Health. In May 2017, researchers from UQ's School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience synthetically re-created Zika virus in the laboratory – a breakthrough that is assisting scientists around the world understand the deadly virus.

Healthy waterways and catchments

The Council on Australian and Latin American Relations (COALAR) has funded UQ's sustainable water team to share its river management expertise with Argentinian and Uruguayan authorities. The researchers, from the Global Change Institute's (GCI's) Water Program, held a series of workshops in Mendoza, Buenos Aires, and Montevideo on how to evaluate, monitor, visualise, and communicate the health of specific river catchments and bays. The program builds on a number of UQ Water Missions to Latin America, which have identified collaborative opportunities to enhance economic development based on clean and secure water sources for mining, agriculture, and urban development.

Mexican links, global issues

UQ and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) share a vital goal for the developing world: to foster the productivity and sustainability of maize and wheat cropping systems. Although headquartered in Mexico, CIMMYT has provided UQ with more than AUD 6.1 million in grant funding for projects around the world – with active research focused on sustainable and resilient farming systems in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal (led by School of Agriculture and Food Sciences Professor Neal Menzies) and in Eastern and Southern Africa (involving a team from the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation).

Building up educators

For more than a decade, UQ’s Institute of Continuing & TESOL Education (ICTE-UQ) has worked with local university, government, and industry partners throughout Latin America to build the capacity of English teachers. ICTE-UQ led UQ’s contribution to the Australian Government-funded Public Sector Linkages Program in Chile, Ecuador, and Colombia in the fields of English Language Policy, TESOL Management, and Capacity Building. In August 2016, the Institute was also approved as one of Codelco's English language providers, an agreement that will see three UQ-developed courses delivered at all 10 Codelco Chilean mine sites.

Cursos de inglés

Cursos de língua inglesa

Raising happy, confident kids

UQ’s Triple P – Positive Parenting Program has been implemented across Latin America. Backed by more than 30 years of ongoing research, the intervention strategy helps parents understand their child’s behaviour and build positive familial relationships. A proposal for a country-wide roll-out is currently being evaluated by the Panamanian Government, and linkages have been established with the Latin University of Costa Rica around joint research and exchange opportunities for psychology students. Triple P is also working with government and community organisations in Mexico, Brazil, and Chile to examine the program in a culturally-appropriate context, with a focus on low-income neighbourhoods.

Research at UQ

Learn about UQ research excellence, world-class facilities, and international linkages

(Spanish subtitles, subtítulos en español)

Embassy Volunteer Internship Program

The UQ Latin American Embassy Volunteer Internship Program allows students to learn first-hand about Australia-Latin America relations. Each summer and winter, UQ awards A$1000 travel grants to help participants travel to Canberra where they volunteer at the embassies of Ecuador, Peru, Cuba, Uruguay, and El Salvador. The program offers meaningful networking opportunities and exposure to the working environment of an embassy. Students support embassy staff with a variety of tasks and projects, such as consular services, translation, event coordination, and research.

Student exchange to Latin America

UQ has a thriving exchange program, including university partners in Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru - Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Tecnológico de Monterrey, University of the Americas Puebla, and the University of Lima. As a UQ student, you can also take advantage of short-term overseas study options and financial support.

Dr Nélida Gómez Quintero

Panama

Consultant and business partner at Saber Panama Consulting (Master's in Technology and Innovation Management 2015)

Samia Tacle

Ecuador

President and Founder of Ecorpmax S.A (Graduate Certificate in Research Commercialisation 2011)

Kate Brown de Vejar

Mexico

Partner at Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP (Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts 2001)

Ana Maria Rodriguez Contreras

Colombia

Strategic Partnership Manager, Canadian Embassy in Colombia (Master in International Studies 2013)

10 Years of UQ in Latin America

Produced for the 10-year anniversary of the UQ Latin American Colloquium, this brochure features case studies that highlight a decade of collaboration and innovation between Australia, UQ, and Latin America.