ISU Office for Research Leaders Strengthen International Partnerships in Peru

In a continued effort to promote international research collaboration, the U.S. Embassy in Peru partnered with Idaho State University to support and deliver a multi-city seminar series aimed at strengthening research capacity and fostering institutional collaboration across Peru’s higher education system. The initiative, led by Dr. Michele Brumley, associate vice president for research and professor of psychology, and Dr. Mustafa Mashal, special advisor to the vice president for research and economic development and professor of civil engineering, engaged faculty, administrators, and research leaders from a range of Peruvian universities and government entities in Lima and Chiclayo. The primary objective: to support Peruvian universities in increasing their international research presence and building long-lasting partnerships with U.S. institutions. With participation from Peru’s top research universities including Universidad de Piura (UDEP), Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP), Universidad Señor de Sipán (USS), and Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola (USIL), the initiative focused on empowering researchers and academic administrators through practical training and strategic dialogue.

The cornerstone of the weeklong program was a full-day seminar titled “Advancing Scientific Research and U.S. Collaboration for University Professors in Peru.” Held in Chiclayo at Universidad Señor de Sipán (USS) on September 16 and repeated in Lima at USIL on September 18, the event featured sessions on the purpose and impact of academic research, how research is supported at U.S. institutions, strategies for international collaboration, peer-reviewed publishing, and research communication techniques. Each session included interactive discussions and practical insights from ISU Office for Research leaders, with an emphasis on building long-term and high-impact research networks.

Beyond the seminars, the ISU delegation met with national and regional research and academic authorities, including from UDEP, PUCP, Universidad de Igenieraía t Tecnologia (UTEC), and Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP). These discussions centered on developing research collaboration  and institutional partnerships.

Cultural engagement was also part of the itinerary. In Chiclayo, the delegation visited the Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum with representatives from USS. This visit highlighted the intersection of heritage, research, and regional pride, especially in the field of archaeology where ongoing research at the Sipán site continues to deepen understanding of the Moche civilization.

During a side visit, Dr. Mashal also had the opportunity to deliver talks at UTEC and SENCICO, which is the technical branch of the Peruvian Ministry of Housing and Construction responsible for the national building codes in Peru.

As ISU and Peru’s 96 licensed universities continue to expand their research capacity, such international partnerships will play a pivotal role in enhancing global visibility, increasing peer-reviewed research outputs, fostering collaborative projects and proposals, and advancing scientific development to address challenges shared by both regions.

Earlier this year, ISU signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UTEC in Peru. The partnership with UTEC has already benefited more than a dozen students from ISU and UTEC who have worked on collaborative research projects focused on environmental-security, infrastructure resilience, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.  

“Mining and natural resources are key economic sectors,” said Dr. Martin Blair, vice president for research and economic development at ISU. “Both Idaho and Peru are located in highly active seismic zones, and reliable water access is a critical concern. These are key commonalities between our regions. A group of students from Idaho and Peru is collaborating on research projects that address these shared interests. ISU appreciates the U.S. Embassy for recognizing our expertise and inviting us to expand academic and research innovation with our Peruvian colleagues.”

For more about ISU Office for Research, visit isu.edu/research.