May, 1995

Organizers

R.P.H. Chang, Northwestern University (USA)

Sponsors:  

National Science Foundation, United States

National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Mexico

Overview:

The National Science Foundation in the United States, CONACYT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia) in Mexico, and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council in Canada jointly sponsored the first Trilateral Materials Workshop, which brought educators and research scientists from all three countries together at Saltillo, Mexico.

The workshop concentrated on the engineered materials which have played a crucial role in recent technological dvancements in areas such as electronics, automotive, biomaterials, metals, and elecommunications. However, the purposes of the workshop went beyond technical discussions and are expected to have far-reaching significance.

The workshop provided opportunities for educators and scientists in all three countries to:

• Exchange information on materials research, education, and technology,
• Establish joint programs among the three countries,
• Discuss and plan for electronic information linkages and databases,
• Discuss participation and usage of "central" facilities
• Generate recommendations for policy makers and administrators.
  

The two-day workshop welcomed 59 educators and scientists from Canada, Mexico, and the United States, as well as South America.

Working Groups

Participants were organized into discussion groups based on their scientific interests including optoelectronics, polymers/advanced cement, and metals and asked to produce series of recommendations for improving cooperation in their respective areas. Each panel provided written reports of their findings and recommendations, which are consolidated below.

Issue - Information Dissemination

Recommendation #1 - Electronic Links     Recommendation #2 - On-going Trilateral Workshops 

Issue - Limited Research in Mexico 

Recommendation - Providing Educational Opportunities 

Issue - Paper Collaborations vs. People to People Collaborations 

Recommendation #1 - Support for NAFTA Personnel Exchanges   Recommendation #2 - Increased Support for Cooperative Projects 

Final Recommendation - The Virtual Institute

Report 

View Report