ACE (Alliant International University CETYS Educational) Program

AMOUNT: $15,000 US

PROJECT LEADERS: Louise Kelly and Miguel A. Salas

INSTITUTIONS: California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University and Centro de Eseñanza Tecnica y Superior

This project was a grassroots project to start a software development cluster in Tijuana. The ACE Program educated a cohort of 30 vocational students in Tijuana (not university students) who took two on-line courses on database management with the GlobalMind agency. The classes lasted approximately two months each, and were designed and given by Dr. Rachna Kumar from Alliant International University (AIU) online. Grants were awarded to fifteen small Tijuana businesses who worked with paired students over nine months (during and after the course) to implement and customize the database software to improve their businesses. CETYS Universidad provided computers, an Internet connection, lab time, recruited the vocational students and managed the business interface. The Confederación Patronal de la República Mexicana (COPARMEX) was involved in coordinating the Tijuana companies. The San Diego Sister Cities Society purchased the software and kept their members informed of the Alliant International University/CETYS Educational (ACE) Project and its success.