Kogod hosts Mexican business students for 10-day conference

BY ADRIENNE FRANK

Two dozen students from the Kogod School of Business and Tec de Monterrey, one of the top universities in Mexico, came together this month on the AU campus to discuss North American trade and business strategies.

The 10-day conference, sponsored by Kogod and AU’s Center for North American Studies, centered on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and featured lectures and networking events at the Canadian and Mexican embassies and on Capitol Hill. Eight MBA students from Kogod and 16 students from Tec de Monterrey’s graduate school of business, EGADE, attended the conference, from June 1 to 10.

“We want students to leave with an understanding of the role of government in business,” said John Allee, director of international programs at Kogod. “NAFTA was created by governments coming together, therefore, government really shapes the playing field.”

Students, who were assigned rigorous readings and a 15-page paper, attended presentations on corporate social responsibility, transportation and economic issues, and emerging markets in the region. Lectures were given by instructors from Kogod and EGADE; Robert Pastor, director of the Center for North American Studies, also discussed the mechanics of NAFTA.

Students also met with area business leaders and governmental officials, including Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas).

While this is the first year for the 10-day conference, AU has hosted a similar six-week program for the last three summers. The Discovering North America Summer Institute kicked off June 6 and runs through July 15.

“Programs like these say that Kogod’s on the cutting edge of business today,” said Allee. “They also support the international focus that we’re so proud of at AU.”