Strategic expansion of the national academic offering
The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) has outlined a structural growth plan after a complex period. Under the leadership ofDr. Leonardo Lomelí Vanegas, the institution has prioritized a substantial increase in its admission capacity and a geographical diversification of its programs. For the 2025-2026 school year, more than 1,500 additional spaces were enabled at the upper secondary level, achieving an enrollment of 35,195 new students in this segment. This movement brings the university’s total population to around 380,000 students, ranging from university initiation to graduate studies.
This quantitative growth has been complemented by significant territorial expansion. A key milestone was the inauguration of the National School of Higher Studies (ENES) Unidad Oaxaca, which began operations with five bachelor’s degrees. At the same time, the ENES in Morelia, León, Juriquilla and Mérida expanded their academic portfolio with new careers. This strategy consolidates the presence of UNAM in various regions of the country, decentralizing access to quality higher education and promoting local development.
Pillars of comprehensive support: scholarships and emotional well-being
The comprehensive support for the student body stands as the central axis of university management. In 2025, the institution granted more than 170,000 financial aid. The creation of the Ifigenia Martínez Scholarship stands out, a food supplement designed for students in vulnerable situations. Additionally, 106,000 high school students are beneficiaries of the federal Benito Juárez Scholarship. In total, approximately 280,000 university students, from high school to graduate school, receive some type of scholarship, which underscores the commitment to equity and academic retention.
Recognizing contemporary psychosocial challenges, UNAM has institutionalized emotional well-being. The University Mental Health Care and Support Program was consolidated, which operates through initiatives such as “Psychological Spore” and Community Health. Together with the Culture of Peace University Program, these actions seek to build healthy, empathetic and safe educational environments, where students can fully develop their academic and personal potential.
Investment in infrastructure and vision of the future
In the field of physical infrastructure, decisive progress was made in the Space Rehabilitation Program. Efforts have focused on improving security and equipment, with priority interventions at the entrances and perimeters of the College of Sciences and Humanities South campus. Similar work is being coordinated with the communities of other secondary schools, ensuring that the material conditions are conducive to learning.
The vision for 2026 is based on responsibility, transparency and closeness to the university community. The administration is committed to responding with firmness and robust strategic planning to the challenges of the coming year. The final objective, as the institution has declared, is to continue training graduates and researchers who contribute decisively to the scientific, cultural and social development of Mexico. The combination of controlled expansion, financial support, mental health care and facility improvements forms a comprehensive model for strengthening public education.
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