AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – 19 August 2025 – Thomas Education NZ, a leading New Zealand based institution specialising in experiential learning and international educational programmes, is proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Universidad Andrés Bello (UNAB), one of Chile’s foremost universities. This landmark agreement consolidates a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening cultural exchange, collaborative research, and the development of innovative educational initiatives in sport, education, and leadership.
The MOU represents a significant step in Thomas Education’s mission to broaden its influence and impact within the Latin American higher education sector. The partnership reflects the shared values of both institutions, centred on promoting holistic development and providing students with transformative real world learning experiences. UNAB’s commitment to sport, physical activity, and its renowned Sports Science Programme (EDEP) aligns perfectly with Thomas Education’s expertise in designing contextualised learning opportunities and fostering international collaboration to advance the development of coaches and professionals.
“We are incredibly excited about this collaboration with Universidad Andrés Bello,” said Fran Serrano, Director of Thomas Education NZ. “This partnership represents a fantastic opportunity for us to share our experience and best practices from New Zealand, whilst also engaging in meaningful cross cultural efforts in sport and education. We look forward to working together on joint initiatives in research, teaching and learning across the areas of sport, education, and leadership, creating valuable opportunities for students and staff from both organisations.”
In addition, Frano Giakoni, Director of the Sports Science programme at UNAB, stated: “For us, this agreement opens up new possibilities for academic and professional development for our students and lecturers. Having the expertise of Thomas Education NZ in international programmes and field based learning methodologies will enrich our teaching and make a real impact on preparing high level sports science professionals with a global and contextualised outlook.”
The collaboration set out in the MOU is comprehensive and action oriented. It will provide UNAB students, particularly those in the Sports Science programme, with opportunities for practical experiences through the Educational Stays and the Aotearoa Impact Fellowship in New Zealand, as well as the Compass Leadership Programme in Patagonia. Furthermore, the agreement facilitates the exchange of lecturers, trainers, and professionals, enabling a rich transfer of knowledge and expertise. Both institutions will also collaborate on joint research projects, jointly organise webinars, seminars, and talks, and develop new courses to meet the evolving demands of the global education landscape.
This partnership projects Thomas Education’s commitment to building strong, sustainable international partnerships that benefit the wider educational community. By joining forces with UNAB, Thomas Education NZ is not only expanding its reach but also contributing to the development of a more interconnected and globally minded network of academic and sporting professionals across New Zealand, Chile, and the wider Latin American region.
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