Castellón de la Plana, 20 April 2026. The Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE) today opened the 2nd Mexico–Spain Rectors’ Summit 2026 at Universitat Jaume I, bringing together over one hundred representatives from institutions in both countries. More than 60 universities and higher education institutions are taking part, including 39 rectors.
During the opening session of the Summit—organised in collaboration with the National Association of Universities and Higher Education Institutions of Mexico (ANUIES) and Universitat Jaume I—CRUE President and Rector of Universitat Jaume I, Eva Alcón, highlighted that the meeting “continues the commitment established in Mexico in March 2024 and projects a promising future for this bilateral relationship.”
Alcón stressed that “cooperation between Mexico and Spain in higher education is not only an opportunity, but a shared responsibility,” underscoring the role of both countries as “knowledge ecosystems and key partners.” In this regard, she emphasised that “our university systems are drivers of social transformation through knowledge generation, values-based education and the promotion of critical thinking,” and called for “science, innovation and cooperation as essential tools to address global challenges that require shared solutions.”
She further noted that the Summit “will be a decisive step towards consolidating a common agenda based on trust, collaboration and shared ambition,” reaffirming the commitment of universities to “a strong social mission and a coordinated response to global challenges.”
For his part, the Executive Secretary General of ANUIES, Luis Armando González, stated that the meeting consolidates “one of the most dynamic relationships in higher education.” He highlighted that universities in both countries “are called to jointly respond to major societal challenges,” placing particular emphasis on strategic cooperation, where “the model of Mexico–Spain Binational Chairs plays a key role as a structural instrument to promote joint projects in research, education and knowledge transfer.”
The institutional opening of the bilateral Mexico–Spain meeting also featured an address by the Spanish Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities, Diana Morant, who underlined that “today, more than ever, universities matter—not only for their role in training talent, but also for their contribution to building a critical citizenry and enabling democratic coexistence.” She also stressed equality of opportunity as a central challenge: “We cannot allow talent to depend on origin, nor access to university on income. There is no inclusive society without an inclusive university—one that is open, diverse and leaves no one behind.”
The opening session also included contributions from Leonardo Lomelí, Rector of the National Autonomous University of Mexico; Begoña Carrasco, Mayor of Castellón; and Mª Esther Gómez, Regional Secretary for Universities of the Valencian Government. Among others, the Secretary General for Universities, Francisco García Pascual, was also in attendance.
Working sessions and keynote lecture
Today’s programme includes sessions focused on the transformation of higher education—with particular attention to pedagogical innovation, the digitalisation of university teaching and curricular internationalisation—as well as on science, technology and innovation for a shared future.
This afternoon, discussions will also address academic mobility and cooperation networks, social commitment and the 2030 Agenda, and the presentation of the Mexico–Spain Binational Chairs as structural instruments for university cooperation.
The programme also features the keynote lecture “Humanist education as a civic foundation: from OECD conclusions to the university as democratic oxygen,” delivered by Ximo Puig Ferrer, Spain’s Ambassador to the OECD and former President of the Generalitat Valenciana, as well as a networking session aimed at fostering joint projects in research, knowledge transfer and academic mobility.
Tomorrow, 21 April, the Summit will continue with a session on university governance and strategic alliances, followed by the reading of the joint declaration of the Mexican and Spanish university systems.
The 2nd Mexico–Spain Rectors’ Summit 2026 is thus consolidating its role as a strategic platform to strengthen academic, scientific and cultural cooperation between both countries and to advance a shared agenda with a long-term perspective.
