University of Regina signs student exchange agreement with Mexican Indigenous universities

News Release Release Date: March 15, 2012 1:00 p.m.

University of Regina President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Vianne Timmons has signed an agreement of co-operation with a network of Indigenous universities in Mexico. The agreement will promote the mobility of Aboriginal students at the University of Regina and Indigenous students from Mexico to exchange their culture and traditions.

“This is an excellent opportunity for our Aboriginal students at the University of Regina to gain a better understanding of Indigenous cultures in another country,” said Timmons. “At the same time, the agreement will allow students from Mexico to learn in an Aboriginal context in Canada – something that will advance international post-secondary education in both countries.”

The agreement was signed during Timmons recent trip to Mexico to discuss Indigenous higher education with the presidents of several Canadian and Mexican universities. The first group of five University of Regina students will travel to Mexico this summer, spending five weeks in Mexico with Indigenous communities while taking courses on diversity and Indigenous culture. The first cohort of Mexican students will also arrive in Regina this summer.

“With international and Aboriginal students now representing approximately 20% of our undergraduate student population, we are a more diverse university now than at any time in our history," Timmons added.  "Signing this agreement with our partner universities in Mexico will add to that diversity, and broaden the student experience for all who study here."