Jorge Mayorga
Ximena Uribe
Guests at the Symposium gala event
Mexican Ambassador to the UK Josefa González-Blanco Ortiz-Mena and award winner
Making an Impact
Student ideas have the power to ignite change. In 2023, Jorge Mayorga (MSc Science and Technology 2023) and Ximena Uribe (MSc Sustainable Development 2023) turned their ambition into reality with the XX Mexican Symposium, a conference to amplify the voices of the Mexican academic community. We caught up with Jorge and Ximena to ask about their insights from this hugely successful event, which was supported by the University of Sussex Business School.
Sussex: Where Innovation is a Way of Life
Jorge Mayorga (President, the University of Sussex Mexican Society 2023)
Throughout my master's programme at Sussex, I've discovered that innovation isn't just a concept here – it's ingrained in the culture. One of the first things I learned is that innovation is not a single event. It's a continuous process, one that requires grit and patience, but quite rewarding in the end.
That's why a group of us dared to approach the Business School with a goal: hosting the XX Symposium of Mexican Studies and Mexican Students in the United Kingdom. The purpose was to facilitate a platform to amplify the voices of the Mexican and the wider Latin American academic community, by providing a space to showcase their research projects and other initiatives.
The core theme for the symposium focused on the overall subject of Transformative Innovation for Development. Through our symposium, we wanted to expose all the work that is being done by researchers from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds who have wielded innovation as a tool to transform the ways of building a more sustainable future across different spheres of society. The goal I had in mind was to demonstrate the excellent work that these researchers have done as main drivers of innovation, and thus, their potential to become a force for change.
This symposium was a chance to build a bridge between my two homes – Mexico, where my roots and values lie, and Sussex, where I further unlocked my academic and professional capabilities. With the phenomenal support of the Business School and International Office, we saw that mission flourish.
We welcomed special guests such as Her Excellency, The Ambassador of Mexico to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Josefa González-Blanco Ortiz-Mena; the University of Sussex VC, Sasha Roseneil, and our Dean of the Business School, Professor Steven McGuire who all had a chance to approach a rather splendid group of researchers on their journeys to push the boundaries of social progress and sustainability.
I couldn’t be more thankful for having had the opportunity to lead this initiative along with a fantastic team of colleagues who managed everything from logistics to social media.
If there is one thing I am certain of, the trademark value of the University of Sussex is the capacity to bring remarkable individuals together.
At the end of the Symposium, I felt satisfied with the work done and looked forward with a great smile to the future of the Mexican and Latin American academics coming to the UK, and specifically, to the University of Sussex. The best is still yet to come!
Behind the Scenes: Building the Mexican Symposium
Ximena Uribe (Symposium Organizer)
Organizing the XX Mexican Symposium was an unforgettable rollercoaster ride! Planning the opening ceremony, filled with esteemed guests, meant meticulous attention to detail, but the outcome was worth it. For months, there were countless emails, meetings, and some mixed emotions. The Symposium shone a light on the strength of our Mexican community here at Sussex and brought students from across the UK together. I couldn't be more grateful for the unwavering support of the Business School in making this vision a reality. A specific highlight for me was hearing the presentation on innovative agricultural practices – it gave me a whole new perspective on sustainability.
The Sussex spirit is undeniable; innovation permeates everything we do. Through events like the Mexican Symposium, we create lasting connections, celebrate diversity, and inspire each other to be catalysts for change. Whether you're a current student or considering Sussex, the opportunities here are limitless. This journey taught us that with a spark of inspiration and the right support, your ideas can make a ripple across the globe.