Canadian, Mexican universities converge for Aboriginal round table

trevor.kenney — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:18:40 +0000

Nine Canadian universities and eight indigenous universities in Mexico will together focus on improving Aboriginal educational experiences and research collaborations during a one-day round table meeting at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge on June 22, 2013.

Building on the momentum of a similar meeting held in Mexico City in March 2012, university presidents, Aboriginal advisors and elders will move forward initiatives pertaining to student mobility, research collaboration and community engagement as it relates to Aboriginal higher education.

"Continued dialogue between Canadian and Mexican universities about best practices and increased collaboration will serve the needs of students in both of our countries," says Dr. Brian Stevenson, president of Lakehead ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. "Removing barriers for Aboriginal students is a shared goal of all participants and this round table will help institutions in both countries make important progress in this critical area."

For the past 10 years, the federal and state governments in Mexico have partnered to create a number of regional universities, called Intercultural Universities, to improve post-secondary access to indigenous peoples. For decades now Canadian universities have also worked to increase access for Aboriginal students and to improve outreach to Aboriginal communities.

At the conclusion of the inaugural meeting between the Intercultural Universities and 10 Canadian Institutions in Mexico last year, Canadian and Mexican university presidents committed to both bilateral and consortium level partnerships to promote student and faculty mobility, joint research initiatives and cultural exchanges. Agreement was reached at that time to host a second meeting in Canada.

"The U of L is excited to host and participate in this important meeting," says ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Mike Mahon. "The U of L has long recognized the important role it must play in creating access for Aboriginal post-secondary students and this round table will certainly help us shape future directions and initiatives."

Federal, provincial, municipal and Aboriginal representatives have been invited to participate in some of the sessions.

In addition to the one-day round table, and to celebrate National Aboriginal Day in Canada on June 21, participants from both countries will participate in a series of cultural activities to broaden the understanding of Alberta's Aboriginal communities. This will include visiting the Kainai and Piikani First Nations communities and Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge explores partnerships with universities in Mexico

trevor.kenney — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 21:12:29 +0000

Trip also explores research and graduate student opportunities

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President Dr. Mike Mahon will travel to Mexico to further dialogue with indigenous universities and to explore opportunities for partnership with CONACYT (Mexico's National Council for Science and Technology) February 11 to 14.

"Working with indigenous universities in Mexico will help the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ better serve its aboriginal student body," says Mahon. "Strategic research opportunities, student/faculty exchanges, the sharing of best practices and planning successful strategies to better serve aboriginal communities are just some of the outcomes that are possible by working in tandem with our Mexican counterparts."

Mahon will also meet with CONACYT senior executives. CONACYT's mission is to promote and strengthen the scientific and technological modernization of Mexico, through the formation of high-level human resources, promotion and support of specific research projects and dissemination of scientific and technological information.

The trip also includes a meeting with officials from the Federal Ministry of Education.

In March 2012, Mahon travelled to Mexico with representatives from eight Canadian universities (including six Presidents) to hold an inaugural meeting with 10 indigenous universities. Initiated by Dr. Brian Stevenson, the President of Lakehead ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in Ontario, the meeting included several other university presidents who had a prime focus on aboriginal education or a long-standing commitment in this area.

The meeting was targeted to university presidents and rectors due to the importance of a high level, bilateral discussion regarding indigenous education. Roundtable discussions were held and led by panelists of both nations to create a foundational understanding of the challenges in aboriginal higher education in Canada and Mexico.

Expanding the internationalization of the U of L is a key strategic direction that can be found in the 2009-13 strategic plan. Also, in an open letter released last year to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community entitled the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge – Alberta's Destination ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, Mahon reconfirmed internationalization as a key priority for the U of L.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has a long-standing commitment to Blackfoot and other First Nations Metis and Inuit (FNMI) education that is articulated in the many programs and services across its campus. It the first university in Canada to establish a Department of Native American Studies and President Mahon has made a strong commitment to furthering aboriginal education in southern Alberta. Further information on strategic initiatives at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge may be accessed at http://www.uleth.ca/president/fnmi

UNews - Brian Stevenson

Canadian, Mexican universities converge for Aboriginal round table

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��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge explores partnerships with universities in Mexico

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