The US and Mexico are working to increase student mobility between the two countries, despite current tensions around immigration and border security. This effort is driven by initiatives such as the Mexican government's expansion of educational opportunities through programs like Programa Nacional de Educación Superior (PROMEC). The program offers scholarships and financial aid to students from low-income backgrounds, making higher education more accessible.
US institutions have been partnering with Mexican universities to offer joint degree programs and research collaborations. For example, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has partnered with the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) to provide students with global internship experiences through OPT (Optional Practical Training) programs.
Experts emphasize the importance of strengthening institutional partnerships between US and Mexican institutions, citing the need for a coordinated approach to educational exchange. The Mexico-US Education Forum brought together educators and policymakers from both countries to discuss ways to increase student mobility.
The expansion of affordable study options, such as short-term programs and workforce training, is also being promoted to increase mobility. The US-Mexico Foundation has launched a program offering scholarships for students to participate in internships and work placements in the US, demonstrating the potential for education partnerships to foster global mobility and strengthen economies and cultural ties between the two countries.