The International Development Office and the Latin America Society were honoured to welcome the Colombian Ambassador Dr. Mauricio Rodríguez to the University in November 2012 as part of the Cultural and Natural Diversity in Latin America series of events.
Dr. Rodríguez gave an informative open lecture about the unmatched natural Biodiversity of Colombia (one of the 17 megadiverse countries on earth) and the challenges that the Latin American country faces politically, economically and socially. He also opened the photography exhibition.
Representatives from Kent included the Vice-Chancellor Dame Professor Julia Goodfellow. Professor Goodfellow said,
“It was a pleasure to welcome the Columbian Ambassador, and to hear about his fascinating country. I was delighted to host Dr. Rodriguez and take the opportunity to strengthen our links with Latin America.The University of Kent is proud of its international outlook and its students and staff from across the globe”
Dr. Rodríguez has been the current Ambassador of Colombia to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland since October 2009. Dr. Rodríguez has an impressive business background. He was founder and former director of Portafolio, Colombia’s most prominent economic and financial newspaper; founder and host of the weekly television programme “Sala de redacción” (Newsroom); and has been a journalist for Caracol Radio, El Tiempo, El Espectador and Poder Magazine, amongst other media.
Prior to his career in media, Dr Rodríguez was with Dow Chemical where he held several directive positions within the Department of Finance in Colombia, Venezuela, the United States, Switzerland and Italy. Dr. Mauricio Rodríguez is also a former President and Professor of several of Colombia’s most prominent academic institutions (Universidad de los Andes and CESA business school).
If you would like to find out more about our work with Latin America please contact Luis Ananguren.