Starting next semester, Santa Clara Law students can expect to see an even more globally diverse campus as the Law School and the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente (“ITESO”) have signed a new exchange agreement that will open up exciting opportunities for law students and faculty of both institutions.
ITESO is a Jesuit university founded in Guadalajara, Mexico in 1957. Like Santa Clara Law, ITESO is known for its academic excellence, a deep concern for both local and global contexts, and its commitment to social justice. Santa Clara’s Center for Global Law & Policy trains students to meet the challenges of globalization for the practice of law and supports cutting-edge faculty research in international and comparative law to advance justice and the common good.
Under this agreement, Santa Clara Law will host ITESO students for free for a semester, who will either stay or return later for a paid second semester to complete an LLM degree, in effect giving students the chance to earn their degree for half of the normal cost. In exchange, Santa Clara Law faculty will have the opportunity to co-teach classes at ITESO in the summer. The program will run for at least five years and like similar exchange agreements with the University of Vienna, NALSAR Law in India, and many other international schools, Santa Clara Law expects this is just the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership with ITESO. This is part of the activities contemplated under an MOU signed between the President of Santa Clara, Father Kevin O’Brien and Rector of ITESO, Father Luis Arriaga the same day.
“Santa Clara Law continues to be a leader in international and comparative law with our nationally acclaimed Center for Global Law & Policy,” Interim Dean Anna Han said, “This agreement with ITESO provides even greater opportunity for Santa Clara Law students to experience the diversity of cultural and legal perspectives right here on campus as they prepare to enter an increasingly globalized profession. Moreover, our partnership with ITESO deepens our connection to the broader Jesuit community dedicated to educating students who lead with a commitment to excellence, ethics, and social justice.”
Rector of ITESO, Luis Arriaga SJ with Santa Clara Law Interim Dean Han and CGLP Director Professor Yang signing an exchange agreement between SCU Law and ITESO in the Dean’s Office, February 11, 2020.
Left to right: Santa Clara Law Interim Dean Anna Han, Rector of ITESO, Luis Arriaga S.J., CGLP Director Professor Tseming Yang
