Initiatives
In 2013, Mexico ranked 9th as the country of origin of international students in the United States (14,000 students), below countries such as South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. In the United States, Mexico ranked 13th as a country of destination in the world (4,000 students) and 3rd in America, after Costa Rica and Argentina.
In May 2013, the presidents of the United States and Mexico announced the United States-Mexico Bilateral Forum on Higher Education, Innovation, and Research (FOBESII) to expand opportunities for educational exchanges, scientific research partnerships, and cross-border innovation.
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The official launch of FOBESII took place on May 21, 2014, during the visit of the Secretary of State of the United States, John Kerry, to Mexico City. FOBESII aimed to expand opportunities for educational exchanges, scientific research partnerships and cross-border innovation to help both countries develop a 21st century workforce for mutual economic prosperity and sustainable social development.
FOBESII built on long-standing cooperation between governments, the private sector, and academic institutions of the United States and Mexico, including areas such as the Fulbright-Garcia Robles program, Education USA 's educational advisory services, and language training. This forum, created as a result of HLED, complemented President Obama's 100,000 Strong in the Americas initiative, which sought to increase student mobility between the United States and countries in the Western Hemisphere, including Mexico.
FOBESII was also consistent with Mexico's Project 100,000 program aimed to send 100,000 Mexican students to the United States and welcome 50,000 American students to Mexico by 2018.
