Scientific alliance between Mexico and France proves successful

In the past few years, Mexico and France have built relationships seeking to strengthen both countries’ scientific development through hundreds of annual publications which account for their bilateral collaboration in the field.

France is Mexico’s third scientific partner

in terms of articles and other publications. There are currently 150 active scientific programs in place and over a thousand exchange assignments between French and Mexican investigators.

Alain Beretz, general director of Research and Innovation at the Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESRI)

recently traveled to Mexico to give a series of conferences at the Third French-Mexican Forum of Science, Technology, and Innovation , where he talked about both countries’ relationship and the way their scientific collaboration was significantly enhanced in 2012 with the creation of the French-Mexican Strategic Council .

“The cooperation in scientific research faces two main challenges. The first is to achieve greater rapprochements in regard to subjects of common interest such as aviation and environmental issues.”

France is one of the aviation sector ’s main exporters with over 20% of world exports, whereas Mexico has shown a 17.2% annual growth for the past nine years, thus consolidating itself in this sector. By 2020, Mexico will aim to be among the 10 top exporters worldwide .

Enrique Graue is decorated in France

Beretz has pointed out that Mexico and France’s partnership in terms of scientific research has progressed smoothly due to natural affinities between investigators. “There is a strong willingness to collaborate and work together regardless of the research areas since both communities share a history which brings them closer together,” Beretz pointed out. The general director was also in charge of the University of Strasbourg until 2016 , and his investigation was focused in three main areas: Natural substance pharmacology (specially plant polyphenols), antithrombotic pharmacology (platelets and endothelium), and vascular pharmacology concerning the study of proliferating chronic vascular diseases .

He stated that the most relevant accomplishment in the scientific alliance has been the creation of common research structures such as joint research laboratories for training and innovation through a shared scientific platform. “Currently, there is more being done in the key areas of health, chemistry, and aeronautical science. It is fundamental that both governments work to increase the number of collaborations for the development of science in academia as well as its application in real life and its contribution to society. Scientific development has become more and more necessary to tackle issues such as climate change and the protection of the environment."

dm