UPC delegates meet with U of A Leaders to advance microcampus partnership

In November, the University of Arizona welcomed Dr. Edward Roekaert Embrechts, Rector and CEO of Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC), and Dr. Giannina Robinson Díaz, Director of the College of Hotel Administration and Tourism, to Tucson. The visit aimed to strengthen the U of A-UPC microcampus partnership and expand educational opportunities between the two institutions.

Founded in 2020 during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the UPC microcampus has become one of the university’s most successful international partnerships. With six dual-degree undergraduate programs and three master’s programs, the UPC microcampus ranks among U of A’s top three in enrollment, with 240 students currently engaged in dual-degree studies. 

“UPC has been an outstanding partner in our microcampus network,” said Justin Dutram, Assistant Vice President for Mexico and Latin America. “Their commitment to providing high-quality education aligns perfectly with our goals for international collaboration. This visit is another step forward in our shared vision to expand accessible, globally relevant education for students in Peru and Arizona.”

The visit opened with a dinner to discuss sustainable tourism and connections between Tucson and Lima. Dr. Jenny Lee, Vice President for Arizona International and Dean of International Education, led the evening with support from tourism experts Felipe García, CEO of Visit Tucson, and Ola Lundemo, Chair for Tourism Education and Assistant Director of International Tourism and Hospitality. This focus on sustainable tourism set the tone for cross-disciplinary collaboration, as both universities aim to leverage their unique strengths in fostering global citizenship.

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During their time on campus, delegates had the opportunity to formally meet University of Arizona President Dr. Suresh Garimella and other key U of A deans and academic leaders. Dr. Roekaert and Dr. Robinson met with leaders from the Eller College of Management, College of Engineering, and College of Public Health. The discussions centered on innovative program development, curriculum alignment, and UPC’s priority to prepare graduates for global careers.

Additional meetings with the College of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape Architecture, College of Science, and College of Social and Behavioral Sciences highlighted U of A’s commitment to interdisciplinary education. The agenda emphasized growth areas, with plans underway to introduce dual degree options in Public Health, Global Studies, and Sustainable Built Environments, allowing UPC students to gain U of A credentials while studying disciplines like medicine, industrial design, and engineering. On the final day, Dr. Roekaert and Dr. Robinson met with the Department of Mathematics and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences to discuss programs in Data Science, Statistics, and Global Studies. 

With the support of Dr. Lee, Director of Latin American Programs Lissette Calderón, and Justin Dutram, the visit served as a platform to review ongoing program achievements and outline new dual degree offerings that could further extend access for UPC students.