By focusing on the development of entrepreneurial skills within a cross-cultural academic environment, NAFTA-prenuer is a program that will prepare students for the changing world of global business while strengthening crucial skills, such as adaptability and communication, which are fundamental for success in business and societal relations. Students will have the opportunity to work collegially with people who speak different languages, have different cultural practices and view the world from different perspectives.
The program is organized around several broad themes from an entrepreneurial perspective:
- Politics and Policies
- Environmental Issues
- Economic Development
- Technology
- Globalization
A cultural theme will address social issues, relationships to land and resources, and education.
The main goals of the program are to:
- define and implement a solid basis for the opportunity of students, faculty and staff from the six colleges/technical universities to expand their knowledge about goals and issues related to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA);
- help students develop an entrepreneurial and international citizenship mindset focused on new perspectives to the resolution of different situations; and
- give students an in-depth understanding of individual custom, aspirations, similarities and differences the ability to work successfully within these realities.
The colleges and technical universities will:
- develop a common academic program that enhances entrepreneurship among the participants;
- establish an articulation agreement that ensures students will receive full academic recognition from the home institutions for work successfully completed within the program;
- provide an opportunity for students to learn another language;
- use established work placements for student internships; and
- establish long-term academic relationships among the partner institutions through common areas of study and research.