UAEMéx university law reform process

The University Autonomous of the State of Mexico (UAEMéx) has initiated a process to reform its university law. The university council unanimously approved a draft reform designed to modernize the legal framework, strengthen autonomy, and implement a universal, direct, and secret ballot for electing the rector and other senior academic officials. The reform also includes plans for a gradual transition toward tuition-free education, expanded scholarship funding, and the expansion of regional presence through the transformation of the Cuautitlán Izcalli Professional Academic Unit into a full university centre.

Following the council’s approval, Rector Martha Patricia Zarza Delgado submitted the reform proposal to Governor Delfina Gómez Álvarez during the opening ceremony for the 2026-2027 academic year. The proposal was described as the result of a democratic participation process within the university community. Governor Gómez Álvarez expressed her support for the institution and recognized the work performed during this period of transition.

The State of Mexico Congress has begun analyzing the draft reform. To facilitate this legislative process, Deputy Ruth Salinas Reyes of Movimiento Ciudadano organized a forum titled ‘Challenges of Education in the State of Mexico: University Reform’ to gather input from academics, students, union representatives, journalists, and business leaders. Discussions centered on updating the legal framework, which has been based on legislation dating back to March 3, 1992. Key areas of focus include democracy, tuition-free education, budget allocation, academic regimes, and research application. The initiative seeks to bridge the gap between academic study and labor opportunities while addressing community demands regarding university governance and rector elections.