Grupo Salinas and
Fundación Azteca America Sign Landmark English-as-a-Second-Language
Agreement With the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) to
Benefit US Latinos
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
Los Angeles, October
30, 2007
– Fundación Azteca America is proud to announce a landmark agreement
between Grupo Salinas and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)
to support English as a Second Language (ESL) teaching in the United
States.
In the initial levels of the agreement,
the UNAM will provide Survival English courses in its US satellite
campuses, beginning in San Antonio, and then Los Angeles and New York.
The courses, which are 15 weeks in length, teach basic language skills
and US cultural values.
Azteca America and UNAM will also jointly
produce and air on Azteca America during the weekends a televised
version of the course beginning in January of 2008.
“Our television language is steadfast in
Spanish. However, we are also conscious of the educational and
orientational role that Spanish-language television plays within the
Latino community, and specifically within the Mexican community,” said
Ricardo B. Salinas Pliego, chairman of Grupo Salinas.
“While we are confident that our audiences
will continue to turn to Spanish-language television, and specifically
Azteca America, they still need to be participative in their communities
and can aspire to better-paying and more dignified work as they become
more bilingual.”
Azteca America will also support the UNAM’s
satellite high school program B@UNAM through its television network in
60 markets throughout the United States and it portal
www.aztecaamerica.com. Azteca America’s
national network news Noticiero Azteca America, will also work
intensively with UNAM faculty on key community issues.
“We are bringing together two great
institutions for the betterment of the US Latino community,” said
Fundación Azteca America and Azteca America Chairman Luis. J. Echarte.
“We look forward to building on this agreement in the future.”
The agreement was officially signed on
Oct. 30 between UNAM Rector Juan Ramón de la Fuente and Grupo Salinas
founder and chairman Ricardo B. Salinas in Mexico City.
About Fundación Azteca America
Fundación Azteca America is a
non-profit organization dedicated to improve the quality of life for
members of the Hispanic community currently in the U.S.
At Fundación Azteca America, our
philosophy is clear and simple: Respect the individual. Give back to
society by improving health, nutrition, education and the environment.
Empower the Hispanic community. Offer tools for self-improvement rather
than charity. And live up to our core values.
Visit:
www.fundacionaztecaamerica.org
About Azteca America
Azteca
America is the fastest-growing Hispanic network in the United States.
The network is a wholly owned subsidiary of TV Azteca S.A. de C.V., one
of the two largest producers of Spanish-language television content in
the world. Azteca America currently has presence in 60 markets
throughout the United States.
Fundacion Azteca
America, Fundación Azteca, Azteca America and TV Azteca are companies of
Grupo Salinas, a group of dynamic, fast-growing, and technologically
advanced companies focused on creating shareholder value, building the
Mexican middle class, and improving society through excellence. Created
by Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas, Grupo Salinas also includes
Grupo Elektra, Banco Azteca, Afore Azteca, Seguros Azteca, Grupo
Iusacell, and Azteca Internet.
Visit:
www.aztecaamerica.com/corporate and
www.gruposalinas.com
About the UNAM
The National Autonomous
University of Mexico (UNAM) is the largest university in Latin America
and the second-oldest in the Americas. It was also ranked as the top
university of Latin America by the Times in a recent study.
Distinguished UNAM alumni include thee Nobel Laureates: Alfonso García
Molina (Peace), Octavio Paz (Literature) and Mario Molina (Chemistry).
Visit: www.unam.mx
Grupo Salinas Media Contact:
Daniel McCosh
dmccosh@gruposalinas.com
011 52 55 1720 0059
