University of La Laguna Suspends Partnership With Mexican University Following Student Death

The University of La Laguna (ULL) has suspended its academic partnership with the University of Morelos in Mexico indefinitely following the tragic death of a Tenerife student participating in an exchange program there.

In response, the university is conducting a thorough review of its security and crisis response protocols for students studying abroad. According to the Vice-Rectorate for Internationalization and Cooperation, these updated safety measures are expected to be finalized soon.

This suspension applies only to the agreement with the University of Morelos and does not affect the ULL’s broader international programs. Planning for the second semester remains on track, with 13 student exchanges scheduled through other bilateral agreements. The university continues to maintain its partnerships with the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and the Autonomous University of Puebla, and it has confirmed that no students will be sent to Mexico for upcoming non-EU internship placements.

For the current semester, the university has limited mobility outside of Europe. Despite this, the exchange program remains active; the ULL expects to host 715 students through various initiatives, including Erasmus+ and SICUE. The institution also continues to attract international talent, with 44 students from 18 different countries across Africa and Latin America arriving this academic year.

This incident underscores the challenges of managing student safety in diverse global environments. By updating its protocols, the ULL aims to provide better legal and personal support for students traveling outside the European Union to pursue their education.