Government of Alberta News Release. September 30, Minister's Mission to Mexico Supports International Education in Alberta

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1 Government of Alberta News Release September 30, 1999 Minister's Mission to Mexico Supports International Education in Alberta Edmonton...Fostering international opportunities for Alberta's students, teachers and educational institutions will be the top priority when Minister of Learning Dr. Lyle Oberg travels to Alberta's sister-state of Jalisco, Mexico at the beginning of October. The minister will be in Mexico from October 1 to 12 investigating possible avenues for increased partnership and building on the existing intergovernmental partnering that has already spawned several productive educational agreements. The goal is to set the stage for even greater cooperation between Alberta and Jalisco. On this mission, Minister Oberg will be building important relationships and looking at what Jalisco can offer our province in terms of ideas and opportunities. The mission to Jalisco follows up on an invitation extended by the state's governor while he was in Alberta this June signing the sisterhood agreement. "When we signed our sisterhood agreement, we promised to maintain a cooperative relationship with Jalisco in the area of education, "said Minister Oberg, "A number of our education providers are looking at this agreement and seeing some exciting possibilities. A few are already pursuing their interests in Jalisco. This mission will pave the way for more of our institutions to start moving ahead with their specific interests in the region." Alberta Learning's relatively young partnership with education in Jalisco has already resulted in a number of signed agreements. For example, in August of this year, SAIT signed an agreement with the Universidad Technológica de Jalisco (UTJ). The two schools anticipate that their multi-disciplinary partnering will lead to the development of collaborative research projects, student and faculty exchanges, the sharing of publications and the planing of joint seminars, courses, lectures and conferences. At least seven of Alberta's educational institutions are currently active in the State of Jalisco with numerous others hoping to capitalize on the increasingly favorable relationship between the two governments. That favorable relationship has resulted in student and faculty exchanges, new options for graduate students, joint degrees and marketing opportunities for English as a second language (ESL) programs, apprenticeship programs and other training. While in Jalisco, the Minister and his three-person delegation will explore many of the state's basic education and post-secondary institutions and meet with officials from the schools and from the Government of Jalisco. Minister Oberg will also be attending a graduate student presentation hosted by the University of Alberta in Guadalajara. The mission is expected to cost about $ 21,600. Backgrounder and itinerary attached For more information please contact: -30- Ed Greenberg - Alberta Learning Communications - (780) Backgrounder

2 Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation Between the Department of Learning, Government of Alberta and the Secretariat of Education, Government of the Sate of Jalisco Signed on June 25, 1999 in Calgary, this memorandum, in short, recognizes that Alberta and Jalisco have agreed to strive for cooperation and exchange in the areas of education and training and confirms that both states will strive to promote and coordinate cooperation between their respective schools and post-secondary institutions. The agreement also commits Alberta and Jalisco to participate in a minimum of 7 student exchanges annually at the basic and post-secondary levels. Alberta Educational Institutions Active in Jalisco The University of Alberta The University of Calgary The University of Lethbridge Mount Royal College Olds College SAIT The Calgary Public and Catholic School Boards About Jalisco: Jalisco's population is 5.7 million. Guadalajara, the capital city, is Mexico's second largest, and is considered to have the highest standard of living in the country. Jalisco has the third largest economy in Mexico, with over $5 billion (US) in exports. The Jalisco State Congress has implemented the Investment Promotion Law which offers incentives and benefits including favorable taxation, training programs, support for infrastructure projects, and preferable conditions for the sale and lease of properties. The State Government recognizes foreign trade as a top priority; the Guadalajara World Trade Center was established in 1995 to consolidate the region's export potential. Jalsico's education sector is in the midst of a period of rapid expansion, outpacing all other Mexican states. Jalisco is home to 6 formal universities. The state has approximately 969,278 elementary students in 5,884 primary schools and 457, 089 secondary and mid-level technical students in over 1,576 schools. Official Delegation 1. Dr. Lyle Oberg - Minister of Learning 2. Mr. Robert (Butch) Fischer - MLA. Wainwright 3. Mr. Phil Gougeoun - Assistant Deputy Minister, Learning Support and Accountability 4. Mr. Jordan Cleland - Executive Assistant to the Minister ITINERARY Alberta Learning Delegation - State of Jalisco, Mexico

3 October 1-12, 1999 Friday, October 1 (Edmonton to Guadalajara) 10:10 a.m. 9:30 p.m. Depart Edmonton for Guadalajara Arrive Guadalajara Saturday, October 2 10:00 a.m. - Orientation/welcome to Guadalajara and Jalisco Sunday, October 3 Monday, October 4 10:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. - 12:10 p.m. - Briefing and Meeting with Canadian Consul, Guadalajara Meeting with Education Secretary, Mr. Miguel Agustin Limón and Officials of the Education Secretariat Meeting with officials of Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM) Lunch meeting with Education Secretariat Tuesday, October 5 10:30 a.m. 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. 12:30 p.m. - Meeting with officials of Panamerican University (UP) Meeting with officials of Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Occidente (ITESO) Meeting with officials of Universidad Tecnológica de Jalisco (UTJ) 2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Lunch with Jalisco representatives of the academic exchange program (International Relations officers of the seven universities in Guadalajara) Attend Graduate Student Presentation hosted by the University of Alberta in Guadalajara

4 Wednesday, October 6 10:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. - Meeting with officials of the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT) Meeting with officials of the National College of Professional Technical Training (CONALEP) Lunch meeting with Education Secretariat 8:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Thursday, October 7 Alberta Hosted Dinner at Camino Real Hotel, Guadalajara 9:30 a.m. 9:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 12:45 p.m. - Visit with the Primary School Urbana Meeting with officials of the University of Guadalajara (U de G) Meeting with officials of the Universidad del Valle de Atemajac (UNIVA) Meet with officials from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadelajara (UAG) 6:00 p.m. Depart for Puerto Vallarta 6:40 p.m. Arrive Puerto Vallarta Friday, October 8, :30 a.m. 9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. 11:10 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. Reception/Greetings for the Minister and delegation by URSE (Regional Unit of Education Services- unit which provides services to foreign teachers) Meeting with officials of Centro CONALEP Puerto Vallarta (National College of Professional Technical Training) CONALEP (Puerto Vallarta) Meeting with officials of Colegio Cientifico de Estudios Tecnológicos del Estado de Jalisco (CECYTEJ) Meet with officials of the Puerto Vallarta campus of the University of Guadalajara 1:15 p.m. Lunch meeting with Education Secretariat Saturday, October 9 7:00 a.m. Mr. Fischer, Mr. Gougeon and Mr. Cleland to depart Puerto Vallarta Sunday, October 10

5 Monday, October 11 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 12 Meeting with Mayor Garcia and Municipal Council for Social Participation in Education 1:45 p.m. Dr. Oberg departs Puerto Vallarta Alberta Index Dept Index Learning Home Page News Releases Top of Page Comments regarding presentation should be forwarded Technical and service related questions should be forwarded Copyright(c); 1999 Government of Alberta Return to Government Home Page