New Jersey City University (NJCU) is bridging the gap between Jersey City and Puebla, Mexico, through a new international partnership designed to give business students a competitive edge in the global market.
The university announced the launch of the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) initiative in partnership with the Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP). The program marks a shift in traditional business education, moving away from purely theoretical study toward real-world, cross-border collaboration.
Unlike traditional study abroad programs that can be cost-prohibitive, the COIL model uses digital platforms to embed international teamwork directly into existing curriculum. This semester, NJCU students in Yi-Yu Chen’s Global Business course are working in tandem with Mexican students from Martin Larsson’s Talent Management course.
Together, the teams are tackling the complex logistics of internationalizing companies operating within the U.S. and Mexico.
“COIL transforms the classroom into a global learning community,” John Donnellan, professor and co-chair of NJCU’s Department of Management said. “Students don’t just study international business; they live it alongside peers from another culture and economy.”
The initiative utilizes advanced analytical frameworks, including the work of renowned economist Michael Porter, to help students evaluate national competitiveness and business systems.
By applying these rigorous standards to actual companies, students develop strategic recommendations for expansion, simulating the high-stakes decision-making required in multinational corporations.
The partnership comes at a transformative time for the institution. NJCU is currently in the final stages of a historic merger with Kean University, set to be finalized on July 1. Upon completion, the campus will transition into the Kean University system as Kean Jersey City.
University officials emphasized that while the institution’s name may change this summer, its mission to provide affordable, high-impact global opportunities—like the COIL project—remains the top priority.
