Lorna RomeroCovering everything from cross-border relations to our current “industrial revolution,” Chamber Business News sat down last week with Dr. Robert Robbins, the newest president of the University of Arizona, at the annual Arizona-Mexico Commission Summit in Tucson.
“My belief is it’s one of the highest callings to lead a university because universities are where we touch every segment of society,” Robbins recently said, citing a goal to “make the university even greater and more impactful in local, regional, national, and global influence.”
During the CBN interview, Robbins recognized the rapid pace at which the economy is growing, and believes that the University of Arizona’s relationship with Sonora is vital to its success. He envisions UA being an educational leader and partner in the current “industrial revolution.”
Robbins provided the keynote address at the Arizona-Mexico Commission’s Plenary Session during the annual summit.
“The relationship between the State of Arizona, in particular the U of A, and the State of Sonora is important to our future,” said Robbins. “It’s really important for us as we go forward in terms of educating our students but having exchanges with our partners in Sonora around joint research and most importantly the translation of fundamental research into commercialized products.”
Robbins was selected as the 22nd president of the university in June 2017, and previously served as the CEO of the Texas Medical Center in Houston for five years and as chairman of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Stanford University. He is a world-renowned cardiac surgeon and researcher focused on investigating cardiac regeneration and vascular anastomotic devices.
Throughout his career, Robbins has conducted groundbreaking research, performed countless surgeries, and passed on his knowledge to his students at Stanford – and now UA.
Guest Contributor
Noemi Santaella
Joseph Kavetsky
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