A delegation of Spanish university leaders visited the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP) for the Peru–Spain Rectors’ Meeting, “Strengthening relations in a changing world,” on March 17. The event brought together university authorities from both countries to discuss student mobility, joint research, and mechanisms to facilitate degree recognition between their higher education systems.
The meeting aimed to deepen academic ties between Spain and Latin America, focusing on shared cultural and historical connections as well as common challenges in higher education. Eva Alcón, rector of Universitat Jaume I de Castellón and president of the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE), said this visit is part of a broader strategy to strengthen academic links between Spain and Latin America.
Alcón said, “The first objective is to promote academic cooperation between Spain and Latin America, two sister regions. We share cultural ties, history, and also common university challenges. That is why we want to strengthen relations between our universities and generate new opportunities for collaboration.” She added that previous CRUE initiatives have included meetings with universities in Mexico, Colombia, and Chile.
One key outcome from the meeting was a declaration committing participants to continue working on these challenges. Alcón said this encounter should be the beginning of ongoing bilateral relations between Spanish and Peruvian universities: “The first result is the declaration of the sessions of these days. In it, we commit ourselves to continue working on the challenges we have discussed. In addition, we want this meeting to be the start of continued bilateral relations between universities in Spain and Peru. A second summit will take place in Spain.”
On student mobility and degree recognition, Alcón explained her intention to develop a program that includes streamlined recognition processes: “I would like to promote a student mobility program that includes agile recognition of degrees. We want to move towards a fast track in recognizing them, which we are trying to consolidate.” She emphasized that it makes little sense for students who complete master’s degrees abroad not to have their qualifications recognized at home or vice versa.
Regarding international research networks amid global uncertainty, Alcón stated: “Fortunately, research networks have not been affected by the geopolitical situation. Universities and science know no borders or ideologies. They know rigor and systematics.” She highlighted how scientific advances during the pandemic were possible thanks to international cooperation among researchers.
The next step will be another summit held in Spain as part of efforts toward greater integration within the academic space shared by both regions.
