A delegation from the Kunshan region visits MONDRAGON

MONDRAGON’s relationship with the Chinese region of Kunshan is close from reaching 20 years (in 2027). Today, 5 cooperatives are established in Kunshan, and there is currently interest in building ties with the University for exchange and mobility programs for faculty and students. In this regard, the meeting served to sign a collaboration agreement between the institutions.

Vicente Atxa, Rector of Mondragon Unibertsitatea and Vice President of MONDRAGON, emphasized the leadership of the cooperatives in dual education, highlighting the involvement —going back 80 years- of training centers and cooperative companies in facilitating job placement: "From the very beginning, MONDRAGON has been committed to dual education—it's one of our hallmarks. Today, we have an innovative university that aligns research with the needs of businesses, aiming to improve their competitiveness. It is a dual university practice-oriented, striving to transform society through knowledge. We see great opportunities for collaboration with Kunshan in this area."

Sun Yong, Vice-Mayor of the Kunshan Government, expressed his gratitude for MONDRAGON’s contribution to the development of the Chinese region over the past 20 years, emphasizing that one of the goals of the visit is to “strengthen existing ties”. He also highlighted Kunshan’s innovative nature: “We are pioneers in industrial sectors, AI, low-carbon activities, connected electric mobility, aircraft, even fashion. We are talking about a highly technological industrial ecosystem”.

Oskar Goitia, President of MONDRAGON International, also advocated for relationships not only in business and industry, but also in academia, stating: “It would be great news if, in 10 years’ time, we are talking about cooperative businesses created by students of both nationalities”.

The meeting concluded with an exchange of gifts between the representatives of MONDRAGON and Kunshan.