British Council welcomes signing of UK-Mexico Mutual Recognition of Qualifications agreement
The UK’s Minister for Universities and Science, Greg Clark MP, and Mexico’s Secretary of Public Education, Emilio Chuayffet Chemor signed a Mutual Recognition of Qualifications agreement today on behalf of their governments.
The British Council has been appointed to convene and manage the technical commission across both UK and Mexico that will be responsible for completing the final Annexes to the agreement that will describe how the agreement will work in practice.
Universities, Science and Cities Minister Greg Clark said: “We want the UK to be the number one destination for science and research which is why we welcome the best and brightest brains from around the world. This Treaty will allow us to work closely with Mexico to push boundaries together and deliver exciting, innovative projects and opportunities for both countries.”
John Bramwell, the British Council’s Director of Education and Society for the Americas [based in Mexico City], said “The treaty releases potential for increased university recruitment, increased research and increased academic mobility between our two countries, but equally importantly enables over 150,000 Mexican students currently blocked from making the best use of their qualifications to now do so.
“It also sets a standard for equivalent agreements in Latin America and elsewhere around the world, creating a true step-change in international academic collaboration for the UK, and with the UK", Bramwell said.
Ambassador Socorro Rovirosa, Director of International Relations for the Ministry of Public Education, said "I am completely sure that the signing of an agreement on mutual recognition of awards will increase substantially the academic mobility which will strengthen the knowledge and labour exchange, as well as the economic development of both countries."
Photos of the signing are available here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/foreignoffice
Background
At present students who complete their studies in the UK cannot have these awards recognised in Mexico. This prevents them continuing high level studies and makes the UK a less attractive option for initial study. Similarly, Mexican awards are not recognised in the UK, preventing academically capable students from registering for UK awards following their Mexican studies.
There is an estimated 150,000 students locked in this position as a result of this lack of recognition.
This problem occurs in other countries in Latin America (and elsewhere)
This treaty may pave the way for further treaties for the UK with other Latin American countries, opening up the full markets of rapidly developing countries to UK study and research.
The technical commission will complete the Annexes to the treaty in the coming 8 months, working through QAA, UK NARIC and UUK IU (for the UK University Sector).
The British Council will convene and manage the technical commission across both UK and Mexico, which will be chaired in the UK by BIS International Unit.
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