New Jersey City University (NJCU) and Fundación Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that establishes a framework to strengthen academic and educational collaboration between the institutions.
The accord was signed during Gov. Phil Murphy’s mission to Mexico City with business advocacy group Choose New Jersey.
Under the terms of the MOU, the institutions will seek to promote collaboration through student, academic, and administrative exchanges, study abroad programs, double degrees, exchanges of publications and reports, joint research activities, and the organization of academic conferences and seminars, in addition to joint organization of special technical or administrative programs.
The MOU will remain in effect for three years. The agreement was a highlight of Murphy’s final economic mission with Choose New Jersey, organized in collaboration with the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey.
“New Jersey and Mexico have a unique opportunity to establish a foundation for lasting and shared growth,” said Murphy. “Mexico is New Jersey’s seventh-largest trading partner, and expanding educational opportunities will further strengthen the strong ties between our regions.”
Total trade between the two nations in 2024 was $10.5 billion, according to the website embamex.re.gob.mx. Mexico is New Jersey’s second-largest export market. New Jersey exports basic materials, medical and navigational equipment, rubber and artificial synthetic materials and miscellaneous manufactured commodities.
“This partnership with Universidad de las Américas Puebla reflects New Jersey City University’s commitment to fostering global learning opportunities and cultural exchange,” said Andrés Acebo, president of NJCU. “As New Jersey’s oldest Hispanic-Serving Institution, NJCU has a special responsibility to build bridges with leading universities across Latin America. Partnerships like this exemplify our vision for the future—one that creates meaningful opportunities for academic exchange and enriches both our students and faculty.”
The agreement was coordinated by the Guarini Institute for International Education & Economic Mobility at NJCU. The institute has a strong record of global partnerships and economic-mobility programs — including ongoing New Jersey-Mexico initiatives and recent NJCU-UDLAP faculty exchanges. The Guarini Institute, led by Adrián Franco, executive director, will serve as the primary liaison to implement the MOU’s programs.
This partnership comes as NJCU prepares to merge with Kean University to form Kean Jersey City, a transformative initiative tentatively scheduled for completion by July 1, 2026.
The collaboration with UDLAP Puebla demonstrates the expanded global reach and enhanced opportunities that will be available to students once the merger is complete.
