José F. Méndez Dr.hc

Projections 2010-2011• Complete the revision and approval of theStrategic Guidelines for Development (StrategicPlan) 2011 -2015 of AGMUS and its universityinstitutions.• Continue to implement the strategic planfor student retention, with emphasis onthe retention of second, third and fourthyears (upper division), strengthening theadministrative retention structure at theinstitutional level, academic advisory servicesand academic monitoring committees, amongother strategies.• Implement the new systemic model forevaluating academic programs and theassessment schedules established by eachuniversity.• Continue the development of priority projectsand centers of excellence in research as part ofthe strategic plan STEM + H. Among them are thePuerto Rico Energy Center (PREC) at Universidaddel Turabo, the Center for Research in Emergingand Advanced Technologies and EnvironmentalScience (CREATES) at Intenor Science Park inBarceloneta, the collaborative project with theArecibo Observatory, the Stanford ResearchInstitute and the Metropolitan Institute forResearch (MIR) of Universidad Metropolitana(UMET).• Revise and develop the necessary policies for therecruitment, evaluation, and development ofteacher-researchers of the university system inorder to support and enhance undergraduateand graduate research.• Continue the process for obtaining newspecialized accreditations as an importantindicator for raising the quality of our academicprograms and schools.• Complete the preparation of the strategicplan for science, technology, engineering,mathematics and health sciences (STEM + H)in order to further strengthen the functions ofteaching, research and service in these priorityareas, with the focus on contributing to theeconomic development of Puerto Rico.72• Begin the second phase of expansion of theIntenor Science Park in alliance with theMunicipality of Barceloneta. Plans include theconstruction of new facilities to accommodatenew academic offerings in the areas of Hospitalityand Culinary Arts (Universidad del Este),Health and Design (Universidad del Turabo),and graduate programs, entrepreneurship,occupational safety and atmospheric sciences(UMET).• Strengthen the structures, processes andresources in the area of Continuing Education asan important segment in generating income notrelated to enrollment.