L-R: The PVC (International), Prof Chris Marlin; the Mexican Embassy’s Scientific and Education Affairs Officer, Laura García; the Mexican Ambassador to the UK, His Excellency Eduardo Medina Mora; and the VC, Prof Michael Farthing.

The Mexican Ambassador to the UK, His Excellency Eduardo Medina Mora (back row, third from the right) with Sussex students from Mexico during his visit in June 2012.

The Mexican Ambassador to the UK, His Excellency Eduardo Medina Mora, met senior managers, academic staff and students from across the schools during a visit to the University this month.

Accompanied by the Embassy’s Scientific and Education Affairs Officer, Laura García, the Ambassador was given a taste of the University’s research and a brief overview of its future plans in Latin America.

Speaking in perfect Spanish, Professor Francis Ratnieks welcomed the visitors to the Laboratory of Apiculture and Social Insects, described the research conducted in the bee lab and discussed Mexican beekeeping.

During his visit, the Ambassador held talks to strengthen Sussex's existing links in Mexico and to explore additional areas for co-operation: in research, collaborative academic programmes and student and staff exchanges.

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International), Professor Chris Marlin, said: “The University maintains a number of exchange programmes with Mexican institutions. However, there are great opportunities for us to take forward our internationalisation agenda with some of the most prestigious universities in Mexico.”

The visit offered a rare chance for Mexican students at Sussex to hear directly from the Ambassador about ongoing and future projects and policies in Mexico.

A whistle-stop tour of campus led by the President of the Mexican Society, Salvador Rodriguez, and the International Student Ambassador (Mexico), Roberto Franco, provided both students with an opportunity to discuss their experience at Sussex with the visitors while showing them the most distinctive aspects of the campus.

And doctoral student Juan Gonzalez facilitated a lively round-table discussion on a number of topics including the relationship between industry and academia; future employment opportunities; the future of the Mexican Space Agency; and the achievement of increased co-operation between the UK and Mexico.

Juan said: “The meeting was very fruitful; it was an opportunity to discuss and share academic and professional issues that were of mutual interest to both parties.

“We hope that after his visit, the Ambassador will get a good understanding of the present and future potential of Mexican students from the University of Sussex to contribute to the future development of Mexico.”