Alliances between universities in California and Mexico that are bringing such advances as Internet2 across the border can help his nation "recuperate lost time," President Vicente Fox of Mexico told scholars and officials gathered March 22 at the James West Alumni Center during his first U.S. visit since his inauguration as president in December.

"We're not even finished building our highways," Fox said at the meeting, attended by University of California President Richard C. Atkinson and Gov. Gray Davis. "And today we can have this connection (Internet2) that has unlimited roads and ways to communicate. This is what we're looking for."

Internet2, an advanced broadband network that can transmit large amounts of data more reliably and at much faster speeds than the Internet, links UC and California State University researchers with colleagues in Mexico, who now have online access to UC's vast library holdings and more opportunities to engage in joint research projects.

Such technology is "highly significant" in driving Mexico's future progress, Fox said. "We lost a lot of time last century. And we're lagging way, way behind. Sometimes you wake up and you get desperate because you see what is really possible."

Atkinson hailed Fox as a "champion of education."

"California shares the excitement, optimism and goodwill that your message and hope have brought to so many millions of your citizens," Atkinson said, "and, I might add, to so many Mexican Americans."

Fox said UC gave him two gifts, including the health of his nephew, now 3, who is alive because of medical treatment he received at the UCLA Medical Center. Another came when a child, whom Fox said he found in the streets, also regained his health after being treated here.

The arrival of Fox and Davis at the meeting, held to strengthen ties between UC and Mexico, was delayed while the governor was briefed on the Granite Hills High School shooting in El Cajon.

During the truncated meeting, Gov. Davis - who has dedicated $30 million over the next six years to enable the exchange of academic, scientific and intellectual activities between the two countries - announced the creation of a California House in Mexico City. The center will promote trade and cultural exchanges between Mexico and the United States, house the UC Education Abroad Program and serve as the local headquarters for UC alumni in Mexico. Another California House has already been established in London.

In addition, UC has a growing number of academic alliances with institutions of higher education in Mexico.

Starting this year, UC will provide 40 annual fellowships for its graduate students to undertake dissertation research or advanced training at Mexican institutions of higher learning and research.

UC and the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT) - a Mexican council of science and technology - will launch a program later this year to support long-term faculty visits on both sides of the border to build lasting relationships between universities and research centers. The program will involve both postdoctoral fellows and senior faculty.

UC and CONACYT are also proposing an agreement for a UC-Mexico commission on education, science and technology. Eight distinguished researchers will be appointed to serve on the commission, along with two government and two industry/business representatives.

Earlier during his state visit, Fox urged Davis to ease tuition residency rules so that Mexicans living in California and seeking legal residency can attend the state college system as in-state residents, rather than paying the higher out-of-state fees they do now. Davis has previously opposed the idea.

Following their appearance at the West center, Fox and Davis attended a forum at the Freud Playhouse sponsored by Spanish-language TV station KMEX.

Outside Macgowan Hall, more than 100 protesters carried signs, danced and sang. Many wore black ski masks and red bandannas over their faces to show their support for the Zapatistas, an indigenous- rights movement in Mexico.