UC President Napolitano in Mexico to expand exchange programs

UC system President Janet Napolitano on Wednesday began two days of meetings in Mexico about expanding academic and research cooperation with Mexican universities and scientific and cultural organizations.

“UC’s many and varied partnerships, exchanges and collaborations with Mexico are integral to bettering lives on both sides of our national border,” Napolitano said in a statement released by her office. “This trip is a testament to the strength of our relationship with Mexico. I’m here to ensure we grow that relationship by establishing our new project to enhance the mutual exchange of students, faculty and ideas across the border.”

Among other steps, Napolitano was meeting with officials from Mexico’s departments of education and foreign affairs and was expected to sign an agreement that extends cooperation in exchange of graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and faculty, UC officials in the system’s Oakland headquarters said.

Napolitano formerly was the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and dealt with issues of illegal immigration from Mexico.

Also on the trip was UC Riverside chancellor Kim A. Wilcox. UC Riverside will be the lead UC campus for the Mexico initiatives.