Tec-Arizona State University: Partnering for lifelong learning

One of the first opportunities to emerge from the collaboration between Tecnológico de Monterrey and Arizona State University (ASU) will be the chance to travel between Monterrey and Arizona to participate in learning experiences for people over the age of 50.

During the 2026–2027 academic year, the two institutions will organize two international programs for people over the age of 50. These programs will feature learning activities, social interactions, and cultural exchanges in Mexico and Arizona.

However, this will be just one of the first initiatives. The partnership also includes new learning programs for individuals and business solutions in sectors such as retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and energy technology, as well as projects related to artificial intelligence, sustainability, and the supply chain.

The projects will be carried out in different phases over the next three years, with plans to cover Latin America, the United States, and Europe.

Victor Gutiérrez, Vice President for Lifelong Learning at the Tecnológico de Monterrey Education Group, explained that collaborating with ASU will enable the two institutions to combine their capabilities.

“By working together, we can learn from one another and undoubtedly reach more places and more people in different fields (...) This global partnership will enable us to combine our capabilities”, he said.

The goals of this partnership are to:

• Expand presence and impact in Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia, the United States, and various European countries.
• Offer corporate training programs in strategic sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, energy technology, retail, supply chains, and artificial intelligence.
• Develop immersive, multicultural programs for people over the age of 50.
• Respond quickly to changes in industries with scalable, high-quality educational solutions.

Two learning experiences for people over 50

One of the first opportunities will focus on the so-called Silver Economy through two international programs for people over 50, which will be held during the 2026–2027 cycle.

The first, The Heart of Mexico: Art, Culture, Gastronomy, Entrepreneurship & Colonial Magic, will take place in Mexico, while Stay Curious: Cultural Adventures in Arizona will offer an experience inArizona.

Both were developed in collaboration with ASU’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) and include learning activities, social gatherings, and cultural exchange programs designed to foster closer ties between communities in Mexico and the United States.

Gutiérrez announced that participants will be able to travel between Arizona and Monterrey as part of these experiences.

“They can travel between Arizona and Monterrey to supplement their learning and broaden their experiences”, he explained.

In addition to these programs, teams from both universities will start designing a joint portfolio focused on Leadership 5.0 and Agentic AI this semester.

Carla Szemzo, Associate Vice President for Portfolio at Tecnológico de Monterrey, explained that the partnership began to take shape months before it was formalized and already has projects in development.

“Today, we’re not just discussing possibilities; we’re making them happen”, she said.

Programs for companies in sectors such as healthcare, retail, and manufacturing

Collaboration opportunities will not be limited to individuals. The Tec and ASU are also considering developing corporate programs for businesses and organizations.

Initially, the teams identified opportunities in sectors such as retail, energy technology, healthcare, and manufacturing, as well as in areas such as artificial intelligence, sustainability, the supply chain, manufacturing, and semiconductors.

The initial focus is on markets such as Peru, Chile, and Colombia, as well as some European countries.

Another area of collaboration will be identifying international funding opportunities to develop joint projects.

Patrick Rossol, ASU’s Associate Vice President of Learning Enterprise, noted that the goal is to leverage the strengths of both universities to expand their reach.

“Each institution amplifies the other’s impact”, he said

He added that the agreement provides a framework for turning that collaboration into actions which will benefit people throughout their lives.

“I believe that our ability to touch the lives of hundreds and thousands of people will extend beyond the border to many other places in Latin America and around the world”. — Juan Pablo Murra.

Tec and Arizona State University aim to provide more people with learning opportunities

The partnership aims to develop new learning opportunities for individuals and organizations by leveraging the capabilities of both Tecnológico de Monterrey and Arizona State University.

According to Juan Pablo Murra, Rector of Tec de Monterrey, one of the main benefits of collaboration among universities is its potential scale.

“I believe that our ability to touch the lives of hundreds and thousands of people will extend beyond the border to many other places in Latin America and around the world”, he said.

Murra emphasized that universities are responsible for the wellbeing of their communities, expanding opportunities for students, making innovative use of technology, and collaborating with other institutions.

“We have a fundamental responsibility to ensure the wellbeing of our communities, to expand opportunities for students, to use technology innovatively, and to collaborate with other institutions”, he said.

Marco Serrato, ASU’s Vice President of Learning Enterprise and a Tec graduate, agreed that the collaboration aims to expand the ways in which universities can support people at different stages of their lives.

“How can we best serve people at every stage of life? That’s exactly what this agreement is all about”, Serrato said.

The partnership may include AI and online learning projects

These initiatives will be carried out in different phases over the next three years.

Although the international experiences planned for the 2026–2027 academic year have already been finalized, teams from both universities will continue to develop other projects.

Gutiérrez noted that expanding this collaboration could create opportunities in areas such as the application of artificial intelligence to learning and online formats, which would enable programs to reach a broader audience.

“There are many topics that are just beginning to emerge and are gaining momentum, but there’s no doubt that in three years, this partnership will bear a lot of fruit in various areas”, he said.

Murra noted that the two universities already have a history of collaborating with each other.

“We’ve been partners for a long time, and being here today is another step in the right direction”, he said.

The rector believes that this new phase will create opportunities for both institutions to develop together.

“I think this is something special,” said Murra. “I think great things are going to come of this (...) We’re already on our way”.

What is lifelong learning?

Lifelong learning is the cornerstone of the partnership between Tecnológico de Monterrey and Arizona State University.

This collaboration involves developing educational opportunities for people at different stages of their lives beyond traditional undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Gutiérrez says that this learning model will become increasingly important for both professional and personal development.

“Lifelong learning will undoubtedly become the way of life for all of us”, he said.

The partnership includes multicultural experiences, new learning portfolios, and programs for individuals and organizations, with the aim of expanding the reach of both institutions into new markets and audiences.

“Lifelong learning will undoubtedly become the way of life for all of us”.- Victor Gutiérrez

What is the Vice Presidency for Lifelong Learning?

The Vice Presidency for Lifelong Learning forms part of the Tecnológico de Monterrey Education Group and is participating in this collaboration with ASU through its lifelong learning strategy.

In partnership with Learning Enterprise and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Arizona State University, it will work on the initiatives for individuals and organizations outlined in the partnership.

This approach is part of Tecnológico de Monterrey Education Group’s lifelong learning ecosystem, whose priorities include expanding its national and international presence.

The partnership between the two institutions was formalized on Friday, August 28, during the signing of the agreement in the Rector’s Building on Monterrey campus.

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