While there, she met with Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and Sonora\nState Gov. Claudia Pavlovich; participated in a higher education panel and\nsigned a renewal agreement with a long-time Mexican partner institution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the summit, Cheng discussed NAU\u2019s upcoming Leaders United\nfor Positive Energy program, which is funded through the 100,000 Strong in the\nAmericas Innovation Fund. The program will bring together 20 students and\nfaculty from NAU, the Technological University of Hermosillo (UTH) and three\nArgentinian institutions to study ethical and sustainable solutions in the\nenergy sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are thankful to the Arizona-Mexico Commission, along\nwith nonprofit and industry partners, for their support and participation in\nthis program,\u201d she said. \u201cWe are excited to welcome the group to our campus,\nand to Arizona, this fall and look forward to seeing the impactful results that\nthese interactions will yield.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NAU also recently joined the Arizona-Sonora Interuniversity\nAlliance, which allows faculty members to participate in cross-border research\nteams, and has signed collaborative agreements with a number of institutions to\nincrease study abroad and international research opportunities for students and\nfaculty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cheng also signed a renewal to NAU\u2019s collaborative academic\nagreement with Fernando Velazquez Contreras of Universidad de Sonora (UNISON).\nThis agreement, which was originally signed in 2004, creates a pathway for\nmeaningful faculty collaborations, involvement in UNISON\u2019s summer research\nprogram and other programs in forestry, climate science, hotel and restaurant\nmanagement, materials engineering, astronomy and others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNAU is deeply committed to collaborating with Sonora and\nMexico as a whole,\u201d Cheng said. \u201cThis is the time for universities, business,\nnonprofits and all sectors to increase collaboration with Mexico for the\nadvancement of our communities. As educators, we have the capability and the\nresponsibility to provide pathways for student success.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cheng was on a panel that discussed \u201cLocal Universities,\nGlobal Impact\u201d with Robert Robbins, president of the University of Arizona. Julie\nEngel, president of the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation,\nmoderated the panel. They discussed the role of Arizona\u2019s universities as\nleaders in developing international relationships with Mexican institutions and\nthe variety of initiatives that have been introduced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cheng touted NAU\u2019s international resources, including a new\ndivision to the Center for International Education, which places specific focus\non regions such as South Asia and Latin America. About 10 percent of students\nwho went abroad in the last school year went to Mexico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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She also discussed the various partnerships in place that\nfocus on preparing students to meet the demands of industry in a global\nworkforce, such as the partnership with CETYS University in Mexicali. Students\nand faculty in international trade and commerce have been exchanging between\nthe two universities for three years, and soon engineering teams from both\nschools will work together to collaborate on renewable energy solutions and the\ndevelopment of joint academic programming in areas like mechatronics,\nmanufacturing and cyber systems. NAU Yuma has been critical in these\npartnerships, and administrators are working toward the creation of a 4+1 dual\nMGBA degree by spring 2020. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is important to recognize that the catalyst for any innovative\nprogram or initiative between institutions is the human relationships behind\nthose efforts,\u201d she said. \u201cWhen we honor the human connection, we are able to\nnot only produce more significant results, but we naturally prioritize social\nimpact in our work because humanity is the focus. NAU is committed to working\nwith our partners in Mexico to maintain and grow existing programs, identify new\nareas of collaboration and come together on issues that are of binational\nimportance\u2014consciously rooting ourselves in humanity as a core value, every\nstep of the way.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"