NJCU, Consulate General of Mexico sign MOU to create Acelera Nueva Jersey

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New Jersey City University and the Consulate General of Mexico in New York signed an official agreement to foster academic exchanges, community outreach and participation in the newly crafted Acelera Nueva Jersey program, the university announced Oct. 20.

The partnership aims 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, which the university launched in October.

The event took place at the Skyline Room at NJCU’s School of Business. Participants included NJCU faculty, students and staff; guests of the Mexican Consulate; and representatives of the US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce and New Jersey’s economic development agencies.

The memorandum of understanding was signed by NJCU President Sue Henderson, Consul General of Mexico in New York Jorge Islas Lopez, and Guarini Institute Executive Director Adrian Franco.

Meeting the increased educational needs and providing opportunities for the Mexican and Mexican American community is a timely priority for the region, the university 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,” Lopez said on the partnership.

“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,” Lopez said. “We are looking forward to work together in this partnership, a new alliance for growth and prosperity.”

NJCU 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.

“By putting forward programs and actions addressed at increasing the well-being, social and economic mobility of these communities,” the announcement said. “At the same time, 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.”

A cohort of Mexican firms will be selected for the pilot program to start in 2022.