51Æ·²èannounces international partnership with Mexico's Technologico de Monterrey

 The 51Æ·²è on March 31, 2009, signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding between 51Æ·²èand (“Tec”), a private, non-profit multi-campus university system in Mexico with 33 academic centers across the country.  

Through this partnership, 51Æ·²èwill initiate a new study abroad program in Cuernavaca, Mexico in Spring 2010.  The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) will launch a semester program at Tec’s Cuernavaca campus. 

In addition to taking coursework in Mexican history and culture and Spanish, 51Æ·²èstudents will be involved in citizenship through volunteer activities in the mountain village of Amatlán.  In fact, a number of 51Æ·²èstudents have already volunteered in Amatlán through the University’s existing Citizenship requirement, and will be doing so again this May.

Medical Schools
In addition, in a pilot project under way, 51Æ·²èand Tec hope to establish a partnership between their two medical schools that could provide clinical opportunities.  A Tec medical student is now participating in a clinical rotation with a College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) student.  The goal is to establish a rotation exchange opportunity that enables UNECOM students to also perform clinical rotations in Mexico.

Building on Strengths
“We are excited that 51Æ·²èis drawing upon our strengths to establish new, unique international programs.  This partnership provides an opportunity for 51Æ·²èto extend our reach more globally, and is a model that we hope to build upon,” says Trisha Mason, Founding Director of UNE’s Center for International Education.” 

CIE develops and promote a wide range of international and intercultural educational and research opportunities for members of the 51Æ·²ècommunity, and provides support services to international students, scholars, and visitors to UNE. 

51Æ·²èPresident Danielle Ripich, Ph.D., adds:  “Tecnologico de Monterrey’s rigorous academics, successful and innovative programs, as well as commitment to service and excellence in educating student leaders, aligns closely with the 51Æ·²è’s.  We hope this partnership will serve as an example for future international efforts at 51Æ·²èand between our two organizations.”

José Ramos, dean of the Health Sciences Division of the Tecnológico de Monterrey, said: "We are very proud of this new alliance and are confident it will be a win-win situation for our institutions, patients and students."

Tecnologico de Monterrey
Founded in Mexico in 1943 by Eugenio Garza Sada and a group of businessmen, Tec operates independent of any political party or religious group.  Its mission is become an engine for the development of local communities and the country.