Maricopa Community College District/Universidad Veracruzana
Country:
Mexico
Award Date:
2000
Award Amount:
$100,000.00
Cost Share:
$118,101.00
Other Funds:
$170,000.00
Other Partners:
Arizona Small Business Association; Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce; Veracruz State Entrepreneur Association; Universidad Veracruzana Hospital School; various community colleges throughout rural Arizona; Salt River Maricopa Native American Community; Secretario de la Economía; Nacional Financiera; Xalapa Chamber of Commerce; Arizona AIDS Project
The partners expanded outreach efforts on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and diabetes in the rural, low-income areas of Veracruz and promoted the competitiveness and environmental protection practices of microenterprises by developing a small business center—Centro Universitario de Servicio a la Empresa (CUSEM)—at the Universidad Veracruzana (UV). Approximately 6,000 UV students are using the HIV/AIDS manual developed under the collaboration, and 3,000 students and local residents are enrolled in a program to share the HIV/AIDS information with communities and families. In addition, 150 UV students have been trained to disseminate public health information to 1,400 neighborhoods and communities. In the small business initiative, 40 UV faculty have been certified as counselors at CUSEM; 55 entrepreneurs have enrolled as full-service clients; 13 businesses have sought consultation on corporate image. During the partnership, 20 entrepreneurs completed a course on obtaining credit; and 30 students were placed in business internships. The Rector of UV met with government officials to seek federal support for a nation-wide system of small business centers.