Vice-Chancellor Professor Anthony Forster is travelling to Mexico for a week-long trip that will see the University strengthen its ties to its 800-strong Mexican alumni.

During the trip he will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding with two prestigious social science research and education organisations, the Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas (CIDE) and Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (FLASCO).

The agreements will promote research collaboration and positive academic relations between Essex and the two organisations.

Professors Forster and Landman travel to Mexico today, and we will be posting live updates on our Storify feed throughout the week.

Our Storify feed

The University has had strong links with Mexico and Latin America since it was founded in 1964, and currently has more than 50 Mexican students.

Essex’s Executive Dean of Social Science, Professor Todd Landman, will showcase the University’s research expertise during a public lecture on Democracy and Human Rights in Latin America on Friday 19 June. This will be followed by a reception for more than 50 Essex alumni in Mexico City.

With 2015 designated the Year of the UK in Mexico and The Year of Mexico in the UK by the two countries’ governments, the University is keen to celebrate our long-standing relationship with Mexico.

Dr Luisa Ortiz Pérez, who received two degrees from Essex, said: “I believe the profile of the University will definitely be strengthened by Professor Forster's presence in the country.” She described Professor Landman’s lecture as “a constant reminder of the academic quality the University fosters”.

The visit starts on 16 June, at Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM), one of the largest private universities in Latin America. It has sent more than 200 study abroad and exchange students to Essex since our partnership was established in 1998, and works with Essex on a Masters degree link programme.

On 17 June, Professor Forster will visit CIDE in Mexico City, a leading centre of research and education in the social sciences, to explore opportunities for collaboration. The following day he will visit FLACSO, an international organisation across Latin America and the Caribbean dedicated to research and teaching in social science.

During the visit he will also meet the British Ambassador, Duncan Taylor CBE, and representatives of the British Council.