M.C. Miguel Angel Aguayo Lopez, Rector of the University of Colima and UMAP Chairman noted that sustainable development has been defined as “a kind of development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs;” which is why reference is made to the principles of mainstreaming, multidisciplinarity, convergence, reconciliation, coherence, globalism, integration, balance and harmony.

In view of the above, this kind of forum was developed within UMAP with a view to discussing how, from the trenches of universities, it would be possible to promote the sustainable development of our societies. The starting point is realizing that we are required to promote learning, dialogue and understanding among the various cultures, and that we are required to do our part with the new generations. The way in which sustainable development is understood and managed depends on the culture of every region. Moreover, there are several cultural universes in the public and private sectors that are making the issue of sustainable development increasingly more complex.

As a consequence, universities specifically aim to work towards ensuring the corporate culture of the sustainable development of our societies, which entails working hard both within our institutions and among counterparts, and working in the areas of communication, teaching, learning, action and cooperation.

Dr. Sumate Yamnoon, UMAP Secretary General, pointed out that he was honored to be in the presence of 15 UMAP national representatives and, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of UMAP. He invited the participants to follow the guidelines that aim to achieve academic excellence. As scholars, we must translate these ideas about sustainable development disseminated by the United Nations into teaching practices.

At the closing of the conference M.C. Miguel Angel Aguayo Lopez, UMAP Chairman address future courses of action by concluding that their.

Mankind has gone through periods of emergency and crisis. The planet is currently facing the problem of climate change and sustainable development, and sometimes, we, the universities, have become castles and do not consider our social responsibility, and in times of crisis we must find solutions, paradigms, and we must implement courses of action seeking improvement. Universities must champion these new changes; there are many things that professors, students and workers know which can contribute to local changes to achieve a global vision by changing paradigms and not by implementing past strategies.

For his part, Dr. Sumate Yamnoon said that he was convinced that the objective had been met. If yesterday’s activities were meant to prepare us for the future, then everything will change.

Changes in the realm of higher education are normal; they are those common roles that universities already play, and if sustainable development is added, it will be necessary to make adjustments to our behavior and our wisdom.

We have to think how online courses can become part of UMAP. He specifically said that, for his part, he would like to recommend that the 3rd Vice-President Forum discuss the details of online courses, e-learning and technologies.

The UMAP Chairman and the UMAP Secretary General undertook to deliver the report on the Forum and the Colima Declaration once it is reviewed by the UMAP Vice-President Forum Coordinator Committee.