The CETYS Ensenada community welcomed Dr. Arturo Cherbowski, Executive Director of Santander Universidades and General Director of Universia México. He participated in a conversation titled «Creating Synergies for University Internationalization» along with Dr. Fernando León García, President of CETYS University. This event was part of the institution’s 62nd-anniversary celebrations.
To kick off the conversation, Dr. Fernando León García emphasized that since 2010, CETYS University has prioritized internationalization as one of its cornerstones, and the results have been highly positive.
«In a globalized world, internationalization is fundamental because it brings forth a set of values and educational competencies. Universities must help individuals understand other cultures and become more open and cosmopolitan. These are the basic values that prompted our reflection 20 years ago,» shared Dr. Fernando León.
Dr. Arturo Cherbowski agreed that incorporating internationalization into universities is fundamental, not only for students but also for educators and administrators, enabling them to effectively navigate in a globalized world.
«However, there are challenges to implementing internationalization. The most important and difficult aspect is self-critique. We must pause to determine if our objectives are being met. We should measure the results, not just in terms of mobility but also as a life-transforming experience. Internationalization, on its own, is meaningless without concrete projects and measurable impact. If we are not achieving our goals, we must start anew,» expressed Dr. Cherbowski.
Furthermore, both agreed that universities must work together to establish partnerships that enhance internationalization, and strong leadership is key to this process.
«In today’s world, universities cannot and will not survive by competing. The only path is collaboration, and not just on a national level. Today, it can be done globally, with universities worldwide serving society. This is the trend, and it’s what we learned from the pandemic. Due to the need for survival, there must be generosity in leadership, and we must learn from each other,» emphasized Dr. Cherbowski.
Finally, the Executive Director of Santander Universidades and General Director of Universia México congratulated the Baja Californian institution on its 62nd anniversary and for being a longstanding leader in higher education, particularly in the realm of internationalization. He also expressed gratitude for the invitation to participate in the conversation with students, faculty, members of the Instituto Educativo del Noroeste AC, and special guests.
Signing of Collaboration Agreement
Following the conversation with students, a donation agreement was signed between CETYS University and Santander Universidades. This agreement supports philanthropic collaboration between both institutions and outlines contributions to be made by Santander Universidades from 2024 to 2026. These contributions will support initiatives related to internationalization, holistic education, inclusivity, and mental well-being, as well as projects for infrastructure growth at CETYS University’s Tijuana and Ensenada campuses.
It’s noteworthy that Santander Universidades is the leading private sector organization globally in terms of contributions to higher education. This is made possible by visionary support for leading and cutting-edge universities like CETYS University.
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