Leading Mexican university opens campus office at Concordia
Concordia University has deepened its international engagement with the launch of a representative office of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) on campus, a move that expands opportunities for student exchange, training and collaborative research between Quebec and Mexico.
UNAM is one of the world’s largest and most respected public universities, enrolling more than 360,000 students and consistently ranking among the top 100 globally. Its decision to open a permanent office on Concordia’s campus signals strong confidence in the university and deepens a longstanding relationship that has expanded significantly in recent years.
A growing partnership
The collaboration now spans student mobility, experiential learning, academic exchanges and joint research initiatives. Key programs include the Queen Elizabeth Scholars (QES) project on renewable energy and community resilience, delivered with the Next-Generation Cities Institute and supported by $300,000 from the Rideau Hall Foundation. UNAM is Concordia’s primary partner in the initiative, which supports 20 scholars conducting research between Canada and Latin America.
Other activities include Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP) internships in chemistry and biochemistry, sabbatical research exchanges in political science and co-publications across disciplines.
Earlier this fall, the university hosted the UNAM-Concordia Symposium to mark the office’s inauguration and introduce the partnership to the Concordia community.
Advancing international engagement
William Cheaib, associate vice-president, International, says UNAM’s presence on campus reflects Concordia’s rising international profile and strengthens opportunities for students, researchers and partners across both institutions.
“This is a significant step in our relationship with UNAM, a global academic leader with a remarkable record in research, cultural engagement and public service,” Cheaib says. “Having their representative here at Concordia allows us to deepen existing collaborations, create new pathways for students and faculty and build a model of international partnership that benefits both communities.”
With its new on-campus presence, UNAM joins Concordia in expanding opportunities for exchange, training and collaborative research between Quebec and Mexico.
The office is also expected to serve as a hub for cross-border initiatives in areas such as climate justice, biotechnology, social inclusion and sustainable cities.
Learn more about Concordia’s collaboration with the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).
Discover study abroad options for Concordia students.
