Albuquerque Mayor Richard J. Berry and University of New Mexico President Robert G. Frank joined several high-level U.S. and Mexican dignitaries at a ribbon cutting ceremony for the New Mexico Trade and Higher Education Center of Mexico City recently. The new center is a first of its kind collaboration between an American state, its largest city and flagship public university.
“New Mexico is serious about expanding commercial, educational and cultural ties with Mexico,” said Mayor Berry. “This collaborative investment in Mexico City makes our intentions very clear.”
Mayor Berry and President Frank were joined by U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Anthony Wayne, Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs José Meade, Mexican Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs for North America Sergio Alcocer and Mexico City Economic Development Secretary Salomón Chertorivski.
“UNM has had a long history of partnerships in Mexico and we are excited to join efforts with the city and state to build on these connections,” Robert G. Frank, UNM President said. “This joint venture will strengthen educational and economic opportunities that will benefit all New Mexicans.”
Ambassador Wayne said, “Today’s ceremony represents the value, vision and willingness of our citizens to invest in education, in our shared economy, and in our political and social futures. The New Mexico Trade and Higher Education Center requires financial and intellectual investment from all sectors of our societies—state and local governments, private sector, civil society and academia. The ultimate goal is to link tomorrow’s leaders today.”
Accompanying the New Mexico delegation were representatives of Albuquerque’s business community including the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce which utilized the opportunity to generate awareness about the city as a travel destination for Mexican tourists. Also in attendance were a multitude of Mexican business and higher education leaders who came to support the initiative and to make the first steps towards future collaborations.
The New Mexico Trade and Higher Education Center is located at the World Trade Center Mexico and is staffed by two experts within the fields of international business development and higher education. The office assists New Mexico companies interested in finding customers, partners or distributors throughout Mexico and supports efforts to position the state as a strategic location for Mexican foreign direct investment. The office also focuses on building partnerships between the University of New Mexico and Mexican higher education institutions, recruiting Mexican undergraduate and graduate students to the UNM’s degree programs, and developing valuable study abroad experiences for UNM students in Mexico.