Tec launches optimized online model due to extension of quarantine

After the Mexican authorities announced an extension to the National Healthy Distance Program until May 30 to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tec de Monterrey announced that classes will continue under the distance learning digital model for the rest of the semester.

This was announced in a letter that mentions the efforts the Tec has made to look after the health of its community, as well as ensure academic and formative continuity.

It reports that the  Flexible Digital Model (Modelo Flexible y Digital, MFD)  that began on March 23 has now been adapted to include more elements for students.

“We’ve dedicated multiple resources throughout the institution to developing new elements that complement our MFD, in order to ensure that we maximize the learning and formative experience of our students, even under these unusual circumstances,” says the letter.

The MFD has become the Flexible Digital Model Plus, which includes the following elements:

• Academic Continuity 2.0

An upgrade to the distance learning model with new teaching capacities, additional technologies, as well as new learning and mentoring resources for all students.

• LiFE@home

In order to add elements of university life, the LiFE@home program includes 64 activities nationwide for art, culture, sports, and entertainment, as well as additional activities coordinated at local level.

• Taking Care of your Mind (Cuida Tu Mente)

The Taking Care of your Mind program provides support for the emotional health of students and their families with valuable information, resources, and activities to keep a balanced inner life in these times of uncertainty.

From April 22, the following elements will be added:

• Boost your Skills program

This program will be exclusively for Tec students, who will have access to complementary elective learning resources through the Tec’s relationships and associations with platforms such as edX and Coursera, via MOOCs and webinars with curricular value.

• Tec Value Benefits

A program that extends exclusive benefits (discounts, promotions, and preferential conditions) to students’ families from valued partners/suppliers at national and local level.

• Community Connection

An initiative to support not only the Tec community, but society in general through projects in the areas of health, education, and economic development that contribute to mitigating the impacts of the crisis caused by the pandemic.

Details of the Tec’s Flexible Digital Model Plus can be found here.

DATES AND ACTIVITIES TO CONSIDER

The letter announced details for the end of the semester, as well as the start of several activities:

• End of the academic semester for undergraduates:

For those students who enrolled in August 2019, this will be on June 12.  Other students will finish classes on June 3, plus a period for exams and final activities that concludes on June 19.

• Summer programs:

These will be held. The manner in which they’ll be taught will depend upon how the changing situation develops.

• Graduations:

The Tec continues planning to hold them at the end of June in the traditional manner, closely following the development of official instructions in order to adjust the dates in accordance with the circumstances and restrictions in effect if necessary.

• Emergency Student Fund:

This fund was created to provide financial support to students whose families really need it due to the COVID-19 pandemic emergency. Find out more here.

• EscuchandoTec:

A tool for students in order to receive their concerns and suggestions on their academic development under the new model.

• Unidos Podemos philanthropy program:

Actions to benefit society, where people can also contribute by donating resources, ideas, time, and talent. Learn about this program and how you can support it here.

“We’ve made these decisions in the face of serious questions and expectations of what lies in store for Mexico and for the Tec, but we’re sure we’ll ride out these circumstances as we’ve done in the past, coming out stronger than before,” concludes the announcement.

The full text, signed by Salvador Alva and David Garza, respectively President and Rector of the Tec, can be found in this document.

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