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

Fostering Latin-American connections in Australia

For over 14 years, UQ Global Engagement (GE) has hosted the annual Latin American Colloquium. This important event allows researchers and university staff to connect with Latin-American governments and businesses to advance Latin American–Australian relations. UQ GE also strengthens its connections with the Latin American embassies in Canberra through the UQ-Embassy internship program, which GE run in conjunction with UQ Student Employability Centre. Through this program, UQ students have the opportunity to undertake an internship within an embassy to gain exposure to the working environment of the embassy.

Transferring software know-how to Mexican miners

23 Mexican mining companies rely on software packages developed by UQ’s Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI) and JKTech Pty Ltd (a UQ commercialisation company focussed on the technical transfer of SMI developed technologies for the minerals industry). JKSimMet, JKSimFloat and JKSimBlast simulation computer software assists engineers along the mine process value chain to simulate the extraction and separation of precious metals like silver and zinc from ore. JKTech’s range of software products also cover blast movement, rock fragmentation, flotation and mass balancing.

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.

UQ licenses Mexican wheat variety

A high-yield Mexican wheat variety identified by UQ researchers is now available to Australian wheat farmers. The wheat variety, originally from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) in Mexico, was evaluated by Associate Professor Mark Dieters in UQ’s School of Agriculture and Food Sciences. It has been licensed to Seed Exchange Australia (SEA) by UQ’s commercialisation company, UniQuest, for sale under the name SEA Condamine. Dr Dieters said in a UQ News article that “A portion of the sales of these new varieties will be fed back into research to help local farmers, support and inspire future agronomists, and help bush communities grow and benefit from this knowledge.” It is now regarded as the benchmark for yield potential of wheat in Central Qld.

Building up educators

For 10+ years, UQ Institute of Continuing & TESOL Education (ICTE) has collaborated with local universities, government, and industry partners in Latin America to build the capacity of English language. In 2019, ICTE partnered with São Paulo State University (UNESP), and the Chilean Ministry of Education to deliver professional development programs to support the development of appropriate teaching techniques and strategies. The UNESP CLIL plus EMI program was designed to enhance the application of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) methodology to tertiary context, and offered through the UNESP/Santander Agreement to professors across four UNESP campuses: Botucatu, Presidente Prudente, Araraquara & São José do Rio Preto.

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

Co-Founder & Chief Advancement Officer at Wisy (Master of 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 and Global co-Chair of International Arbitration at DLA Piper (Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts 2001)

Ana Maria Rodriguez Contreras

Colombia

Legal specialist at the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame (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.