Dr. Francisco Vélez, Dean of CETYS University International Campus Ensenada, led a
course on Leadership for Professional Development designed for undergraduate
students at Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province,
China, as part of the institution’s «Summer Program 2024.»
«Our institution stands out by its high standards in international higher education.
Opportunities like this strengthen institutional international relations with China, opening
doors for the exchange and transfer of knowledge, students, faculty, and resources
between the two countries,» explained Dr. Vélez, highlighting the significance of this
international experience.
He further explained that the course was meticulously crafted to build essential soft
skills crucial for the student’s professional advancement. Delivered over six sessions,
each four hours long, the course spanned two weeks, totaling 24 hours of intensive
instruction.
This is not CETYS’ first involvement in NPU’s academic initiatives. It marks the third
time the leadership course has been offered, alongside various collaborations in other
educational exchange activities between China and Mexico, including short courses for
undergraduate and graduate students.
The partnership between CETYS University and NPU dates back to 2015 when both
institutions signed a collaboration agreement initiated by Dr. Mariella Remund,
Distinguished Professor at CETYS. This partnership has continued to grow, with various
joint projects and academic activities. On this occasion, the invitation to participate in
the summer program came from Dr. Jiong Zhou, a professor at NPU’s School of Public
Policy and Administration.
Reflecting on his experience, Dr. Vélez highlighted NPU’s prestigious reputation in fields
like science and engineering, particularly noting its status as China’s leading university
in aeronautics. He praised the students’ responsibility and engagement, as well as
NPU’s robust academic infrastructure, spread across two campuses in Xi’an, a city
renowned for the Terracotta Warriors. With more than 30,000 students, NPU stands out
for its rigorous academic focus.
«The CETYS University teaching approach, which fosters a collaborative learning
environment built on trust, was well received by NPU students. This marked a
significant shift in the traditional Chinese educational culture, where the student-teacher
relationship is typically more formal and reserved,» Dr. Vélez observed.
He also noted that students appreciated the chance to engage actively in class
discussions, which not only deepened their understanding of the concepts but also
provided them with a fresh perspective as future leaders.

«It was an exceptional opportunity to gain multicultural teaching experience, enhancing
my abilities as an educator, particularly in terms of support, understanding, and
openness to the diverse learning styles, needs, and communication preferences of our
students. The students were highly motivated and eager to learn. I was fortunate to
have the assistance of Wang, a student assistant, whose support was invaluable.»
Faculty internationalization is deeply ingrained in CETYS’ institutional DNA, enriching
education by integrating global perspectives and innovative approaches. This
commitment ensures students are better equipped to thrive in an interconnected world.