As part of the University of New Mexico legislative mandate to recruit Latin American students, UNM Student Affairs will bring together more than 30 Mexican students and university faculty members April 19 – 20. Presidents, deans, directors and chairs from Mexican colleges and universities will take part in the two-day conference, which will focus on cooperative educational programs between higher education institutions in Mexico and Spain and the University of New Mexico.
Photo: Eliseo “Cheo” Torres, vice president, Student Affairs
"We expect to sign several agreements involving collaborations on exchange programs," said Eliseo “Cheo” Torres, vice president for Student Affairs.
Visitors will represent Mexico City and the states of Guadalajara, Chihuahua, Tabasco, Oaxaca, Morelos, and Monterrey.
A representative from Spain will also be present to discuss trilateral agreements among the University of New Mexico, Mexico, and Spain for cooperative educational programs.
Mexican higher education administrators will meet with UNM faculty, deans, chairs and staff to discuss joint programs with different colleges and departments. Mexican administrators will be given Hispano Chamber of Commerce-led tours of campus and Albuquerque.
This initiative has been made possible through the legislative support and sponsorship of New Mexico Sen. Shannon Robinson who encouraged UNM to return to its original self-conception as a University of the Americas. "This will bring us international recognition as a leading university in serving Latin American communities, with an emphasis on Mexico,” said Torres.
One of the goals of the prep programs and educational cooperative agreements with Mexico is for international students receiving their degrees from UNM to return to New Mexico to do business and benefit citizens of both Mexico and the U.S.
Five UNM College of Education graduates recently spent time in Mexico, teaching English skills and preparing Mexican students for matriculation to UNM.
A private Mexican university, Fray Luca Paccioli, located in the state of Morelos, adjacent to Mexico City, employed the graduates.
"We're on the verge of some exciting growth in international recruitment and enrollment at UNM," Torres said.
Media Contact: Greg Johnston, (505) 277-1816; e-mail: gregj@unm.edu