New Jersey City University signed an official agreement with the Consulate General of Mexico in New York to foster academic exchanges, community outreach and participation in the newly crafted program, “Acelera Nueva Jersey.”
The alliance is designed to promote joint opportunities between Mexican firms, New Jersey City University and the government of Mexico. The agreement will be administered by the Guarini Institute for International Education and Economic Mobility.
The participants said they created this Memorandum of Understanding to seek better coordination of their efforts with the region’s Mexican and Mexican American communities, by putting forward programs and actions addressed at increasing the well-being, social and economic mobility of these communities. At the same time, the parties will develop programs that strengthen the economic relationship between New Jersey and Mexico and bring economic development for people and economic agents on both sides of the border.
The groups were represented by NJCU President Sue Henderson, Consul General of Mexico in New York Jorge Islas Lopez and Guarini Institute for International Education and Economic Mobility Executive Director Adrian Franco.
Through a partnership with the Consulate General of Mexico in New York, a cohort of Mexican firms will be selected for the pilot program to start in 2022. Firms will be selected through a competitive process and must fulfill all the legal requirements for conducting business in the U.S.
The Mexican and Mexican American community is one of the largest and fastest-growing Latino immigrant groups in northern New Jersey. Meeting its increased educational needs, as well as providing opportunities in this growing community, is a timely priority for the region, officials from all three groups said.
A 21st-century education requires preparation in the globalized world. Workforce development studies indicate that language skills, cultural competency and an international perspective are valuable in many different professional spheres and contribute to a more worldly and flexible workforce.
Lopez said the consulate promotes partnerships that contribute to the integration and empowerment of its community.
“The Mexican consulate is excited to partner with New Jersey City University and the Guarini Institute for International Education and Economic Mobility,” he said. “Hispanics represent almost 18% of the Garden State, from which 30% are of Mexican heritage, a good reason to start working with Mexico’s business projects.
“Promoting the internationalization of Mexican small and medium enterprises is of vital importance to our community and the initiative Acelera Nueva Jersey is helping us to make it possible. We are looking forward to work together in this partnership, a new alliance for growth and prosperity.”
Access to these educational opportunities provided by NJCU should allow Mexicans and Mexican Americans to attain better labor, economic and social conditions.
NJCU has been recognized as one of the top universities improving students’ economic and social mobility by facilitating affordable academic programs. The university is currently ranked No. 22 in Social Mobility in Regional Universities – North by U.S. News & World Report and No. 72 in the nation in the Social Mobility Index.
