In addition to the roundtable discussion, Congressman Cuellar also served as an honorary witness to the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between TAMIU, the Universidad Autónoma Nacional de México, the Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, the Universidad de Monterrey, the Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas and the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey for exchange programs for academic material, students and faculty. The MOU reaffirms the signatories’ commitment to collaborative educational programs between the two countries and recognizes the value of scientific and educational exchange for promoting the research and teaching activities of the five respective institutions. This agreement between the universities will spark innovation for the international oil and gas industry through collaboration on multiple levels.

“This is a historic event,” said Congressman Henry Cuellar. “The United States and Mexico are currently experiencing great technological breakthroughs in the energy industry, and this is the first time we’ve ever had so many experts in the industry meet to discuss the sector’s future outlook. Laredo is at the forefront of an energy corridor. Recent innovations on both sides of the border have the potential to add thousands of good-paying jobs to rebuild our communities and provide more security to our families.

“Mexico’s’ recent energy reform allows for great collaboration and investment from U.S. energy companies in order to develop better ways of providing energy to the world.  Today’s discussion and the signing of the MOU between TAMIU and Mexican higher education institutions will allow young people from both countries to share ideas. This is one of the surest ways to weaken cultural barriers and invest in our future workforce.”

“We are honored to host this historic meeting of minds and shared futures,” said Dr. Ray Keck, president of TAMIU. “TAMIU, with its academic expertise, Binational Center and research prowess, is ideally poised as an international conduit to help channel strategies focused on strengthening binational cooperation. We are also deeply appreciative of Congressman Cuellar’s visionary leadership on this and also thankful to him for his commitment to expanding our academic linkages with our Mexican university counterparts.”