40th Anniversary of CIIEMAD

On October 31, 1996, PIMADI became the Interdisciplinary Center for Research and Studies on Environment and Development.

Discussing the Interdisciplinary Center of Research and Studies on Environment and Development (CIIEMAD) of the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) entails addressing the relationship between society and nature, both interconnected in society's rapid development and nature's deterioration. Therefore, this center, celebrating 40 years of existence, continues its proactive pursuit of actions aimed at mitigating and regulating the negative environmental impact of societal development, while optimizing the rational exploitation of natural and environmental resources in our country through the training of highly professional and ethical human capital.

The operational foundations of this center trace back to the origins of the Club of Rome, a global non-profit organization established in 1968 dedicated to analyzing global issues from multidisciplinary perspectives including science, politics, and the environment. Subsequent international meetings stemming from the Club's work addressed environmental challenges.

In Mexico, a Latin American-level meeting was convened in 1982, promoted by the United Nations Environment Programme, involving various educational institutions. As a result of these efforts, a reform to the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States was achieved, aiming to establish institutions and define legal and administrative frameworks for environmental protection, ensuring law enforcement and redirecting the country's environmental policy. This reform led to the creation of the Ministry of Urban Development and Ecology (Sedue) and the enactment of the Federal Law for Environmental Protection.

In this context, faithful to its philosophical principles of contributing practical solutions to national challenges, IPN joined this initiative and established the Interdisciplinary Project on Environment and Integrated Development (PIMADI) in 1984 through resolution DG 2461/84 dated June 2, 1984. Supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the University of Paris III Sorbonne Nouvelle, a cooperation agreement was signed between these institutions and IPN in July 1984, published in the Politécnica Gazette in August of the same year.

PIMADI commenced activities in September 1984 with an interdisciplinary group of professors and researchers engaged in scientific and academic pursuits addressing the interconnected processes of society and nature, translating into specific actions of practical scientific knowledge application fostering integrated development between both elements. Its programmatic structure encompassed teaching, research, institutional engagement (presence and external service), and outreach (congresses, scholarships, courses, and agreements, among others).

To offer postgraduate studies, the Master of Science in Environment and Integrated Development was established, focusing on environmental research and transformations resulting from interactions among environmental components: natural environment (abiotic and biotic) and social environment (anthropogenic activities). The master's program began with a preparatory semester and four modules of one semester each on environment, development, methodology, and seminars (IPN-PIMADI, 1995). Over 12 years, PIMADI trained several generations of professionals dedicated to designing environmental and development strategies, contributing to minimizing environmental impact with professionalism and extensive knowledge in their field of expertise.

On October 31, 1996, PIMADI transformed into the Interdisciplinary Center of Research and Studies on Environment and Development (CIIEMAD). Approved by the General Advisory Council (CGC) of IPN during its Tenth Ordinary Session of 1996, which signed the corresponding Agreement and assigned it the operational platform and assets attributed to PIMADI (Creation Agreement, 1996).

CIIEMAD's work aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, endorsed by the UN and its member countries, including Mexico. This agenda includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals aimed at ending poverty, combating inequality and injustice, and addressing climate change ensuring that no one is left behind by 2030. To this end, CIIEMAD has Lines of Generation and Application of Knowledge (LGAC) such as biosciences and engineering, society, territory, and environment, encompassing topics linked to sustainable development goals, highlighting the relevance and current significance of the center's work.

CIIEMAD obtained accreditation from the Mexican Accreditation Entity (EMA) for its Environmental Analysis and Monitoring Laboratory in accordance with NMX.EC17025-IMNC-2006 (ISO/IEC-17025:2005) standards for conformity assessment activities in the research field, making it the first educational institution laboratory in Mexico to achieve this. Furthermore, in pursuit of continuous improvement as part of its quality philosophy, the center achieved certification: Certificate of Registration ISO9001:2015 valid until 2023.

Today, CIIEMAD offers the Master's and Doctorate programs in Environmental Science and Sustainability Studies and a Doctorate in Conservation of Landscape Heritage, both programs belonging to the National Postgraduate System (SNP) of the National Council of Humanities, Sciences, and Technologies (Conahcyt). Additionally, it designs and delivers specific-purpose courses aligned with advances in the field and those required by Mexico's commitments in environmental matters. Environmental issues are crucial for the world's immediate future, demanding committed efforts from governments and institutions to provide practical and long-term solutions for the benefit of humanity. Long live CIIEMAD-IPN!

CIIEMAD offers the Master's and Doctorate programs in Environmental Science and Sustainability Studies and a Doctorate in Conservation of Landscape Heritage.

REFERENCES

• “Acuerdo por el que se establece el Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo del Instituto Politécnico Nacional”, in Gaceta Politécnica, año XXXII, vol. 1, núm. 382, México, IPN, December 15th, 1996, pp. 13-16.

• “Convenio de cooperación académica y científica entre el Instituto Politécnico Nacional de México y la Universidad de París III, Sorbonne-Nouvelle de Francia, para la formación de personal especializado en Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo Integrado”, in Gaceta Politécnica, año XXI, núm. 12, August, 1984, pp. 12-15.

• Espinosa, G. y Soto N. (s/f), La Semarnat y la normatividad ambiental, p. 21. Retrieved May 27/05/2024 in chrome extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/ https://www.gob.mx/ cms/uploads/attachment/file/558608/3_LaSemarnatW. (pdf)

• IPN-PIMADI (1995) Diez años de investigación y docencia, Secretaría Académica del IPN (pdf).

• IPN-CIIEMAD (2022) Manual de Organización del CIIEMAD (pdf).

Selección Gaceta Politécnica #175. (June 30th, 2024). IPN Imagen Institucional: Read the full magazine in Spanish here.