CUMex represents 30 public universities across 29 Mexican states, which includes more than 1m students and 150k teachers.

The agreement will see the two associations work together on the development of the internationalisation of both education systems.

“English also will help us to build bridges among the region rather that walls”

It will also allow members of both associations to collaborate to build the capacity of CUMex members to deliver English and French language education and foster the language proficiency of their students, teachers and staff.

The agreement was signed on August 20 at ILSC in Vancouver and was attended by the Consul General of Mexico in Vancouver and representative from BCCIE.

“Mexican students are increasingly choosing Canada as a destination to learn English and French,” director of ILSC Vancouver David Matthews, who signed the agreement on behalf of LC, said in a statement.

“The Mexican government and academic institutions continue to build strong partnership ties with Canadian counterparts.”

Mexico, Matthews explained, is now the fifth largest sending country for language students, and the number of Mexican students in LC member programs has grown 40% over the last year.

CUMex president Javier Saldaña Almazán highlighted the importance of language proficiency for students and staff to tackle “the challenges of globalisation” and its role in bringing the two countries together.

“The learning and understanding of English also will help us to build bridges among the region rather that walls,” he said.

“It has become the perfect element to closer ties between our countries.”

The relationship between Mexico and Canada in the education sector is long-standing, Languages Canada executive director Gonzalo Peralta told The PIE News.

“Mexico is a very important country for us,” he said.

He added that in its international relationships, Languages Canada is aiming to further develop the role of language education within the context of internationalisation.

“Language education in the past was an afterthought. Now I think the important players are beginning to see languages as a seed that can have substantial impact on the path the student takes – including helping them to choose the career,” Peralta explained.

“Our role is to encourage that thinking and our actions in Mexico, Brazil, Turkey and other destinations are going to focus more and more in that arena”