----Gatineau’s other university: University of Mexico in Quebec

Reuel S. Amdur

If you thought that the Université du Québec à l’Outaouais was the only university in town, then you had not heard about UNAM, the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, with a campus in Gatineau.

UNAM was founded in 1551 in Mexico City. Yes, you saw that right, 1551. In 1929, it was given independent decision-making regarding teaching and research – the Autónoma in its title. It is the largest university in Latin America and it also has campuses alone or with other educational organizations in China, Costa Rica, Madrid, Paris, London and California. Its presence in Canada dates from 1995.

In Gatineau, UNAM offers courses in Spanish, English and French and in Mexican history and culture. UNAM has the capability of certifying competence in Spanish. It also offers a variety of cultural programs, including lectures, exhibitions, theatrical productions, and musical events. The school has a 20-member choir. Of course, everything has gone virtual, due to Covid-19.

Typically, UNAM-Canada enrolls 1,500 students a year. The courses in English and French are given mostly to Mexican students currently enrolled in or having graduated from post-secondary institutions.

Dr Alicia Mayer has been Director of UNAM-Canada since 2017. Her responsibilities are essentially administrative, but she is a recognized historian who has focused on Latin America and the Reformation and Counter-Reformation.