First Provincial Education Mission to Net $22 Million

Five universities and the Nova Scotia Community College will take part in the first provincial higher-education mission to Mexico. The mission, scheduled for Nov. 10-20, is expected to have an economic impact of more than $22 million for Nova Scotia.

"Higher education is a proven, sustainable, exportable resource," said Sheila Brown, who is traveling on the mission in her roles as chair of the Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents (CONSUP) and president of Mount Saint Vincent University. "Our institutions have an international reputation for quality education, and we're working together to develop export strategies and attract more international students."

Health Minister Jamie Muir will represent Education Minister Jane Purves on the mission.

"This mission has tremendous potential for Nova Scotia both in terms of growing our economy and creating education partnerships," he said. "The meetings that have been scheduled will allow for a variety of joint education and training projects in Mexico in tele-medicine, language training, women and gender issues, and agriculture and other areas."

The Mexican foreign ministry has played a key role in preparing the agenda for the mission.

"A government to government relationship is an essential first step to doing business with Mexico," said Galo Carrera, honorary consul for Mexico in Nova Scotia. "Mr. Muir's participation in the mission has paved the way for very high profile meetings. This means that projects are more likely to be successful and sustainable because the top officials will be involved from the very beginning."

Ms. Brown will sign an agreement on behalf of Nova Scotia's universities with CONACYT, the main funding agency for Mexican graduate students studying abroad. The agreement will open doors for more Mexican students to study in Nova Scotia with full funding from the Mexican government.

"CONACYT sends over 1,000 students abroad each year," she said. "This agreement is essential for attracting graduate students to Nova Scotia and will make us a destination for Mexico's best students."

Since 1997, international student enrollment has increased by 51 per cent. The more than 1,987 international students enrolled in Nova Scotia universities this year will contribute $48 million in direct revenue.

A number of education project opportunities have also been identified in Mexico:

• the Nova Scotia Community College is delivering training and programs in the oil and gas industry in the Campeche region;
• Dalhousie is developing a proposal to deliver medical training and tele-medicine;
• Mount Saint Vincent will develop a partnership agreement with the Instituto Campechano to offer a Spanish Immersion program and with the State of Campeche to deliver training programs for women leaders;
• Saint Mary's University will sign agreements to exchange faculty, students and staff;
• the Nova Scotia Agricultural College is exploring opportunities to partner in agricultural research and training; and
• UCCB will expand current agreements with the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara petroleum technology, engineering technology, environmental health and Training for Women Entrepreneurs.

In September 2000, the Minister of Education for the State of Campeche and the Minister of Education for Nova Scotia signed a memorandum of understanding. The MOU confirmed mutual interest in working to encourage joint projects in education, research and training. This formal recognition of the close relationship between the two regions was an important step toward increasing Nova Scotia's education profile in Mexico.