Smith and ESAN University launch new double-degree pathway

Kingston, Ont. – Smith School of Business is expanding its engagement in South America with the launch of a double-degree pathway for students at ESAN University (Universidad ESAN) in Lima, Peru.

Beginning in fall 2027, undergraduate students from the Latin American business school will be welcomed into the Smith Commerce program at Goodes Hall in Kingston, Canada.

“We are delighted to partner with Universidad ESAN. Our shared values, objectives and strengths have made this collaboration both seamless and mutually beneficial, with a strong focus on student success,” said Lynnette Purda, Interim Dean, Smith School of Business. “This new pathway supports Smith’s goal of preparing leaders with a global perspective and helps extend Queen’s reach and impact around the world.”

Both schools are members of PIM (Partnership in International Management), a consortium of top business schools from around the world that fosters student mobility programs, faculty collaboration and shares best practices among international education professionals.

This shared connection provided the foundation for this new pathway that will see students complete the first three years of ESAN’s Bachelor of Business Administration, followed by two years of the Smith Commerce program, where they will take core courses spanning general administration, international business and finance, as well as a selection of electives. Upon successful completion, students will earn a degree from both institutions.

ESAN and Smith students will collaborate in classes and team projects, gaining experience across two national, cultural and regulatory contexts while strengthening their adaptability, perspective-taking and cross-cultural collaboration skills.

“This partnership with Smith School of Business marks an important step in strengthening the international reach of ESAN University and creating new learning opportunities for our students. We share a common vision with Smith focused on academic excellence, innovation and the development of leaders who can thrive in increasingly dynamic international environments. This double-degree pathway will allow our students to experience a truly multicultural academic journey, broaden their perspective on global business, and strengthen the key competencies needed to lead in an interconnected world. We are also confident that this collaboration will open new opportunities for initiatives between both institutions for the benefit of our academic communities,” said Jaime Serida, president of ESAN University.

About Smith School of Business
Smith School of Business at Queen’s University is a top-ranked Canadian business school known for immersive learning experiences, research excellence and strong career outcomes. Smith offers customized, transformational learning pathways that develop the mindset and capabilities required for lifelong leadership and growth.

Founded more than a century ago as Canada’s first undergraduate business degree, Smith offers undergraduate, graduate and executive programs delivered in Kingston and Toronto, Ontario, as well as hybrid and online formats reaching students across Canada and around the world. As part of Queen’s University, Smith combines globally engaged faculty, academic rigour, and practical learning to prepare leaders for complex, evolving business environments.

About ESAN University
ESAN is the first graduate-level institution in management established in Spanish-speaking Latin America. Founded on July 25, 1963, ESAN was established through an agreement between the governments of Peru and the United States, with academic support from Stanford University and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID, formerly AID). Leading international rankings, such as QS Global MBA Rankings and Financial Times Executive Education rankings, recognize ESAN as the number one graduate school in Peru.

ESAN currently offers a doctoral program, a Master of Business Administration (MBA), more than 19 specialized master’s degrees, over 100 executive and corporate programs, and more than 17 undergraduate programs across its schools of Economics and Business, Engineering, and Law and Social Sciences. In addition, it offers programs for working professionals, government programs, and a wide range of academic and corporate training services.