The University of Lethbridge has signed a collaboration agreement with the Universidad Intercultural Maya de Quintana Roo in Mexico that will develop academic areas of mutual interest.

University of Lethbridge President Dr. Mike Mahon and Dr. Francisco Javier Rosado May, Rector and President of the Universidad Intercultural Maya de Quintana Roo, signed the agreement at the Canada-Mexico Round Table on Aboriginal/Indigenous Higher Education held June 21 at the University of Lethbridge.

The round table, which included participation from nine Canadian universities and eight indigenous universities in Mexico, focused on improving Aboriginal educational experiences and research collaboration.

The agreement focuses on the development of study abroad programs, student and faculty exchanges, cooperation of academic activities, and is open to other emerging opportunities.

"There is tremendous value in cooperating with other institutions and we saw that value at the recent round table that was held at our university," says Mahon. "This agreement will provide many opportunities for our faculty members and students in the near future."

Mahon added that some University of Lethbridge faculty members have already identified potential collaborations to explore with Universidad Intercultural Maya de Quintana Roo researchers, including one in the area of alternative and complementary medicine.

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 University community entitled the University of Lethbridge – Alberta's Destination University, Mahon reconfirmed internationalization as a key priority for the U of L.

Additional information is available at this website: http://www.uleth.ca/president/canada-mexico