Mexico Launches SaberesMx to Expand Access to Education

President Claudia Sheinbaum calls on public universities and higher education institutions to join SaberesMx, a new national digital platform aimed at expanding access to knowledge and strengthening social mobility across Mexico.

Speaking at the First National Meeting of Universities and Public Higher Education Institutions, Sheinbaum emphasized that the platform seeks to make academic content from all universities available to the public, reinforcing education as a fundamental right. “If we make what is taught in our universities part of this platform and put it at the disposal of everyone, we will bring universities closer to the people,” she stated.

The president underscored that the initiative will respect university autonomy, while urging institutions to adopt a policy of “republican austerity” to expand enrollment and ensure broader access to higher education. She said that reducing privileges within institutions could allow for increased student intake, supporting her administration’s goal of making education the center of Mexico’s national transformation.

Mario Delgado, Minister of Education, says that the project reflects a collaborative effort among over 1,300 deans across the country to make universities “spaces that allow people to live with freedom and peace.” The platform, coordinated by the Ministry of Public Education, aims to foster cooperation between universities, the government, and the private sector.

According to Ricardo Villanueva, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, SaberesMx will be the first platform to integrate academic content from universities nationwide, making it a tool for democratizing knowledge and promoting social mobility. The platform will also function as a vocational orientation tool, listing academic programs available across Mexican universities. The first course, focused on addiction prevention, will launch on Nov. 17. It will include 71 teaching resources and last 18 hours.

Rosaura Ruiz, Minister of Science, Humanities, Technology, and Innovation, says that the meeting marked the first time the federal government had convened universities to establish a coordinated intersectoral strategy on education and knowledge-sharing. She describes the effort as a structural shift toward collaboration between universities, government entities, and productive sectors.

Leaders from major public universities expressed support for the initiative. Leonardo Lomelí, Dean, UNAM, says that SaberesMx represents a public effort to promote lifelong learning and provide ongoing training. Arturo Reyes Sandoval, Director, IPN, noted that the institute has expanded its virtual education program, adding over 28,000 online spaces and new campuses in several states, including Puebla, Tlaxcala, and Chiapas.

Sofonías Antonio, Dean, Universidad Intercultural del Pueblo, says that Sheinbaum’s government has significantly increased access to higher education in indigenous and rural communities. She adds that the country now has 28 intercultural universities with more than 27,000 students, over 64% of whom are women.

Through SaberesMx, the federal government aims to build a unified national system of open education that connects academic institutions and citizens, positioning knowledge as a central instrument for development and inclusion.