Texas Tech University officials announced today the start of an exciting new chapter in the university’s growth: an expanded global presence in the form of its new international campus, Texas Tech University Costa Rica.
Upon approval of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Commission on Colleges, the new campus in San José, Costa Rica, will offer students in Central America an opportunity to earn credits necessary for undergraduate or graduate degrees. With instruction in English, programs will be offered by the Rawls College of Business, the Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering, the College of Arts & Sciences and the Department of Hospitality and Retail Management within the College of Human Sciences.
“This collaboration with our partners in Costa Rica will increase access to a Texas Tech education for students in Costa Rica and Central America. This project also supports the internationalization efforts at Texas Tech and advances our reputation and competitive position by preparing our graduates to live and work in different cultures,” Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec said. “Beyond the educational programs offered at Texas Tech University Costa Rica, there will be opportunities for our students and faculty to engage in international partnership and internships, research and study abroad.”
Texas Tech University Costa Rica will be completely self-sustaining and self-supported through revenue generated by student enrollment and revenues collected from Promerica Group, a highly reputable multinational conglomerate of companies operating throughout Central and Latin America.
“In Promerica, we believe the future of Costa Rica and Central America requires vision, leadership and 21st century skills in order to take our region to the next level,” said John Keith, director of Promerica Group. “The Texas Tech campus in Costa Rica will be a catalyst for progress, development and innovation. U.S. higher education engaging in Latin America can have a significant impact on the future growth of our emerging economies. We see Texas Tech as a leader in this regard and we are proud to be their partner.”
Initial program offerings include:
- B.S. Electrical Engineering
- B.S. Industrial Engineering
- B.S. Computer Science
- B.S. Mathematics
- Dual B.S. in Computer Science and Mathematics
- B.S. Restaurant, Hotel and Institutional Management
- Undergraduate certificate in Restaurant, Hotel and Institutional Management
- Graduate certificate in Essentials of Business
The Texas Tech University center in Seville, Spain, facilitates Texas Tech students to study abroad, but Texas Tech University Costa Rica will be the university’s first degree-awarding international campus primarily serving students in that region.
In the last decade, international engagement increasingly has been a focus of Texas Tech. The university’s mission statement, adopted by the Board of Regents in May 2010, states: “The university is dedicated to student success by preparing learners to be ethical leaders for a diverse and globally competitive workforce. The university is committed to enhancing the cultural and economic development of the state, nation and world.” Texas Tech’s five-year Quality Enhancement Plan also focuses on international engagement with the theme “Bear Our Banners Far and Wide: Communicating in a Global Society.”
“Our flagship institution was founded with a vision of thinking on worldwide terms, and this endeavor strengthens Texas Tech’s mission of preparing global leaders and enriching cultures around the world,” said Texas Tech University System Chancellor Robert Duncan. “I congratulate and thank Dr. Schovanec and his team as well as our partners in Costa Rica for making possible this exciting expansion that will raise our international profile and increase opportunities for our students, faculty and higher education in a great country.”
The decision to place Texas Tech’s newest satellite campus in Costa Rica was not arbitrary. The country’s strategic location allows it to be a gateway to the rest of Latin America, yet still be easily reached from Texas. As the oldest democracy in the region, Costa Rica shares a cultural affinity with the United States as well as a tradition of stability. And it has a bright future ahead; more than 250 high-tech multinational companies already operate there, and its educational system is one of the best in Latin America.
Costa Rica
“In a global community, the internationalization of U.S. higher education across borders is the new frontier. Texas Tech’s global outreach, starting in Costa Rica, has the potential to make a difference and be a game changer in Central America and beyond,” said Jack J. Bimrose, director of EDULINK, a subsidiary of Promerica Group. “University education in the United States is valued and admired worldwide, and we believe it has the unique power to change the lives and futures of students, families, communities, nations and the world. Our group chose Texas Tech as our academic partner on the basis of its high quality programs, outstanding reputation, commitment to international engagement and visionary leadership.”
Texas Tech University Costa Rica plans to open for Spring 2018.
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