Academic cooperation in higher education between Mexico and Spain 1977-2017. A migratory policy and differentiated reception context

Abstract

Educational cooperation between states facilitates academic and student mobility. Since 1977, with the reestablishment of relations between Mexico and Spain, higher level educational cooperation has been regulated through normative instruments, which has led to an increase in exchanges of academics and students. Mexico and Spain are part of collaborative networks that promote academic and student mobility in Latin America, and the acquisition of Highly Qualified Human Resources (RHAC) is essential for both countries to develop technological and scientific innovations. In this article, we seek to determine if the migration and academic cooperation policy for RHAC influences the retention of talents, for which the legislation on immigration management of RHAC and regulatory instruments between Mexico and Spain are analyzed. Among the main results, it is worth mentioning that academic cooperation has increased, but the Mexican context facilitates Spanish academics to stay in Mexico.