What is UNAM’s Extension School in Canada?

UNAM’s Extension School in Canada (ESECA or UNAM Canada) is a branch of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Its structure is made up of commissioners assigned by the central campus of the UNAM in Mexico City and by teaching and administrative staff who are residents of Canada. It is administered by UNAM’s Teaching Centre for Foreigners (CEPE). UNAM Canada’s facilities include ten classrooms, a videoconference room, a large library, a cafeteria and a multi-purpose hall that is used for conferences and as a gallery. The main activities deal with the teaching of languages: Spanish, French and English. Courses on Mexican and Latin-American courses are also offered in Spanish. Among other activities, UNAM Canada participates in the liaison between Canadian universities and UNAM’s faculties and departments, in order to promote academic exchange and stimulate collaborative research projects. UNAM Canada regularly hosts conferences, roundtables, book presentations, colloquia, visual arts and photographic expositions, concerts, plays, dance presentations and a movie club. Long-distance programs are also made available ranging from high school studies, to online professional short programs, to language certifications and academic videoconferences. In addition, literary evenings are organized in the library and on Saturdays the Community School is offered for children aging ages three to sixteen.
What is the UNAM?
The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) was founded in 1551 in Mexico City. Along with the University of San Marcos in Peru, the UNAM is the oldest university in the continent. It is also the largest university on terms of student population, number of academic staff, courses, events and cultural and scientific publications. The UNAM is the most important cultural project in the history of Mexico and it distinguishes itself from other institutions for being public, laic and free of cost. In addition, it is concerned with the development of cultural and educational activities in the fields of sciences and humanities. Half of the academic research in the country is done by UNAM’s experts and these latter publish in average six books daily on research, education and cultural promotion. In 2006, it was named the best Spanish-speaking university in the world by Times magazine. Since 2007, its main campus is considered a world cultural heritage site by the UNESCO. In 2009, the UNAM received the Prince of Asturias Award for its contributions in the fields of Communications and Humanities. The three Nobel prizes awarded to Mexico were given to members of the UNAM. The name of this institution can be seen in gold letters on the premises of the Congreso de la Unión in Mexico City. FOTO DEL CAMPUS CENTRAL DE LA UNAM
 

  Link: Watch a video on the UNAM: http://www.dgcs.unam.mx/videounam.html