• About UANews
• Sign up for News
• Resources for Media
• Calendar
• Contact Us

Shelton led a panel discussion about water issues along the U.S.-Mexico border.

By Johnny Cruz, UANews
August 29, 2008

Water is one of the most prized commodities on Earth – and water quality and availability are two of the most complicated issues in the American Southwest and in northern Mexico.

On Friday, University of Arizona President Robert N. Shelton addressed fellow university presidents, and education and corporate leaders from throughout the southwestern United States and Mexico at a panel discussion titled "New Water and Old: Water in the 21^st Century."

The panel was part of the "Encuentros 2008: A Forum for University Presidents on Mexico-U.S. Relations and Research Initiatives" conference, which was held at Rice University in Houston.

The forum brought together representatives from universities in Texas, Arizona and Mexico – along with executives from the private sector, including AMD, Inc., General Electric Oil and Gas and CompaZia Mexican de Exploraciones S.A.

"While the UA today is very adept at – and committed to – thinking and acting globally, we recognize the importance of thinking and acting regionally, as well," Shelton said in his remarks. "The UA comes here as the senior research university in a state that is well-acculturated to approaching water with respect, an eye toward conservation and an understanding that it defines virtually every aspect of our lives."

The UA is considered a global leader in the area of translational water research and technology. Its location – 50 miles from Mexico – makes it an ideal contributor to addressing border issues.

Participants in Shelton's panel discussion addressed the role of universities, government and private enterprise in taking on the challenges presented by the planet's current water issues – especially as they apply to the U.S.-Mexico border region.

Among the topics discussed at the forum were bi-national relations between the U.S. and Mexico, particularly in the area of trade, drug trafficking and immigration. In addition, industry and university researchers held sessions about energy research and commerce along the U.S.-Mexico border.