Northern Arizona University entered into a memorandum of understanding with CETYS University in Mexicali, Mexico. The agreement, signed May 2, creates numerous educational pathways for students of both universities.
NAU President Rita Cheng said students will develop a more global perspective, which will better prepare them for careers.
One potential opportunity of this partnership is for NAU students completing an NAU bachelor of business administration degree to transfer to CETYS and earn an MBA in one year, instead of two.
CETYS is a not-for-profit university founded in 1961. In addition to its primary campus in Mexicali, CETYS also has campuses in Tijuana and Ensenada. Enrollment at CETYS is about one fourth of NAU.
“You now have a partner that is very global and will offer avenues for collaboration for students and faculty,” said CETYS President Fernando León García. In addition to earning various accreditations, the institution is growing its research initiatives, he added.
“Faculty and staff from NAU and CETYS have long shared a passionate commitment to the educational and economic development of the southwestern border region including Baja Norte and Sonora, and the southern regions of Arizona and California,” said Michael Sabath, associate vice president and campus executive officer of NAU-Yuma. This new collaborative relationship also will provide opportunities to address common problems and issue affecting communities in the border region, he added.
The memorandum of understanding is based on reciprocity of scholars, students, internships and academic materials.
The universities both have programs in business, engineering, education and communication.