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At Ca’ Foscari, the ‘Cattedra Messico/Mexico Chair’ in Latin American Studies

On Friday, 14 March, in Venice, Rector Tiziana Lippiello and Silvia Elena Giorguli Saucedo, President of Colmex, El Colegio de México, signed a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of a ‘Mexico Chair’ in Latin American Studies at Ca’ Foscari. The inauguration ceremony is scheduled for Monday, 17 March, at 10:30 at Ca’ Dolfin.

"I had the pleasure of meeting a delegation from El Colegio de México today, a prestigious institution, with whom we have formalised the establishment of the Latin American Studies Chair," said Rector Tiziana Lippiello with satisfaction. "This initiative enriches Ca’ Foscari’s offering in world languages and cultures, providing new educational and academic opportunities for both students and faculty. Thanks to this agreement, we will host international conferences, seminars, and guest lectures, further expanding the global reach of our university. Cooperation between universities worldwide is a key driver of scientific progress, dialogue, and collaboration between nations. Ca’ Foscari is ready to welcome the Latin American Studies Chair in a spirit of dialogue and friendship."

El Colegio de México is a public university dedicated to research and higher education in the social sciences and humanities. It is one of the most prestigious institutions in the Spanish-speaking world. El Colegio de México conducts research and teaching within its specialised study centres, which focus on History, Linguistics and Literature, International Studies, Asian and African Studies, Economics, Urban and Environmental Demography and Sociology, as well as a Department of Gender Studies.

Professor Vanni Pettinà, the Italian coordinator of the project and Associate Professor of American History at the Department of Linguistic and Comparative Cultural Studies, describes the significance of the agreement.

Why is this agreement so important?

It is extremely important to us, as it acknowledges that American Studies at Ca’ Foscari have attained a level of scientific strength and maturity that allows us to enter an agreement with one of the most prestigious universities in the Americas. The Chair will enable Ca’ Foscari to enhance its research on this region and Mexico, facilitated by the presence of faculty from Colmex. We should also bear in mind that Mexico is Italy’s primary export destination in Latin America. Consequently, possessing expertise in this region and country is of considerable significance.

What does the ‘Mexico Chair’ involve?

The Chair will involve faculty exchanges. Each year, a lecturer from our university will travel to Mexico to teach a course or a series of seminars, and likewise, a lecturer from Mexico will come to our university. The goal is to enhance research on the Americas and Mexico at our University while also promoting the image and academic excellence of Ca’ Foscari in Latin America and Mexico.

How does this agreement enhance Ca’ Foscari’s international outlook?

The Mexico Chair introduces a significant element, it is a new window that we open onto the Americas and one of its most esteemed institutions, Colmex.

What impact will it have on the Ca’ Foscari community?

For both students and faculty, the Chair presents a valuable opportunity to engage with the academic perspectives of Latin American scholars. Those who come to Ca’ Foscari to study the Americas will now have, in addition to the existing courses offered by our excellent faculty, the chance to interact with highly qualified colleagues from Colmex.

The ‘Mexico Chair’ inauguration—open to the Ca’ Foscari community—will take place on Monday, 17 March, at 10:30 in the Aula Magna Silvio Trentin at Ca’ Dolfin. The event will feature a panel discussion on ‘Mexico and the Challenges of the New International Disorder: Foreign Policy, Immigration, and Demographics.’ Admission is free until capacity is reached.