Tijuana was a pleasant surprise for Fanta Aw, Executive Director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, who visited the border city for the first time and praised its growing role in Mexico’s higher education landscape.

“This is my first time in Tijuana, and it won’t be the last. I’ve read a lot about the city, but being here is totally different. I was struck by the vibrancy of the educational ecosystem and the number of students—over 70,000 in higher education institutions—which shows its importance,” she said.

Aw explained that, like many countries, Mexico faces the challenge of expanding access to education, especially beyond major cities. In this regard, she acknowledged the work of Tijuana’s universities in making education more accessible.

“A global challenge is how to make education more affordable and accessible, but also how to communicate its value. Higher education is crucial for social mobility and long-term well-being. It’s vital that the public understands this,” she emphasized.

She also stressed the importance of universities providing a holistic education and ensuring students know how to apply what they learn in real-world settings. Additionally, she highlighted the need to prioritize information literacy and ethical technology use, while not replacing the importance of human interaction.