TRIP REPORT
MINISTERIAL MISSION TO MEXICO
January 25 – 31, 2009
Overview:
The Minister travelled to Mexico (Mexico City, Guanajuato, Guadalajara, and Monterrey) from
January 25 – 31, 2009, to advance international relations and further promote Alberta’s advanced
education and science and technology leadership during a five day business program.
Mission Objectives:
To profile Alberta’s graduate education and research system, as well as increase competitiveness
and facilitate growth of Alberta’s knowledge-based industry sectors through opportunities in
Mexico. It also provided an opportunity to:
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Further relationships with strategic partners to encourage Mexican graduate students,
post-doctoral fellows and researchers to consider Alberta for study, work and research
collaboration opportunities.
Market Alberta’s knowledge-based industry and innovation capacity.
Develop networks and partnerships for technology, expertise and capital sourcing.
Results:
January 26 – Mexico City
Breakfast meeting with Canadian Ambassador
 Ambassador Guillermo Rishchynski provided an overview of the current politico-economic
situation in Mexico and policy initiatives related to science and technology.
 Opportunities for partnering with specific agencies were discussed.
Meeting at Secretaria de Educacion Publica (SEP) with Federal Ministry of Education and
Ministry of Foreign Relations (SRE)
 SEP officials shared an interest in working with Alberta in the area of “in-service teacher
education and training” with a focus on pedagogy and ESL skill acquisition for Mexican
teachers (current Olds College model was discussed).
 SEP officials provided an update on changes being introduced to international scholarship
training.
 SRE officials expressed keen interest in working with AET in supporting strategic higher
education, science and technology partnerships.
Meeting with National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT)
 CONACYT officials provided an update on scholarship programming and their 2009
Technology Transfer Initiative.
 A letter of intent was signed between AET and CONACYT on higher education cooperation
with a focus on graduate education, researcher/faculty mobility and technology
commercialization.
Reception at Canadian Ambassador’s Residence
 Minister Horner addressed an audience of representatives of key Mexican agencies, research
organizations, and local companies.
 The Alberta delegation made new contacts, while promoting Alberta opportunities.
January 27 – Mexico City
Breakfast meeting with United States-Mexico Foundation for Science (FUMEC)
 Explored areas for future cooperation within FUMEC’s targeted areas of interest, including
nanotechnology and biotechnology.
 Invited FUMEC to visit Alberta to tour key research centres and to consider potential for
locating their TechBA program representative here.
Meeting with National Polytechnic Institute (IPN)
 IPN officials provided an overview of IPN with a focus on opportunities for strategic
collaboration with Alberta (follow-up to IPN October, 2008 mission to Alberta).
January 28 – Guanajuato
Meeting with the Science and Technology Council of the State of Guanajuato (CONCYTEG)
 Participants identified high potential areas of faculty/researcher development and joint
research programming.
Meeting with National Genomics Lab for Biodiversity (LANGEBIO) and University of
Guanajuato
 Officials discussed the development of exchange programming for undergraduate learners
both from Alberta and Guanajuato.
Luncheon meeting with Minister of Education for the State of Guanajuato
 Explored opportunities for further collaboration in technical/vocational education, inservice teacher education and professional development.
January 29 - Guadalajara
Meeting with Emilio Gonzalez Marquez Governor of Jalisco
 Signed Joint MOU on Technology Commercialization.
 Reviewed opportunities to collaborate in the areas of research and product development and
discussed plans for the Governor to visit Alberta in July 2009, in recognition of 10th
anniversary of twinning relationship between Jalisco and Alberta.
Meeting with CINVESTAV and Jalisco State Council for Science and Technology
(COECYTJal)
 Reviewed research activities in nanotechnology and discussed processes for managing joint
research and commercialization projects under new MOU.
Luncheon meeting with Secretariat for Education of the State of Jalisco and other officials
 Discussed areas of common interest for future collaboration and planning for visit of
Governor Marquez to Alberta in July, 2009.
Tour of the Intel Design Centre
 Presentations on key research and development activities of the Intel Design Center and tour
of facilities.
 Discussed potential Alberta partnerships regarding company technologies and possible
student involvement.
Friday, January 30 – Monterrey
Meeting with Monterrey International City of Knowledge officials
 Discussed Monterrey’s regional approach to developing a world class innovation ecosystem.
 Presented Alberta’s Action Plan: “Bringing Technology to Market” and discussed
opportunities to work together, including shared access to support infrastructure to help
company growth.
Meeting with Fomento Economico Mexicano (FEMSA) Biotechnology Centre
 Discussed FEMSA’s model for biotech industry support, including student incubator
program.
Meeting with State Science and Technology Council (COCYTENL)
 Discussed Nuevo Leon’s research priorities and industry development focus, including
opportunities for specific collaboration in water and waste management.
Meeting with National Council on Science and Technology (CONACYT) Northeast Region
 Discussed sector priorities for the region and areas for potential collaboration under the
MOU signed with the national CONACYT organization.
Reception and Luncheon with Government Officials
 Minister Horner addressed representatives of the Governor’s office, key Mexican agencies,
research organizations and local companies.
 The Alberta delegation made new contacts, while promoting Alberta opportunities.
Meeting with PITT (Research and Technical Innovation Park)
 Reviewed PITT nanotechnology R&D activities, toured related facilities.
 Met with representatives of the Water Research Institute of Neuvo Leon to discuss potential
joint projects in the area of water and waste management.