U.S. company leaders seek collaboration with Tec de Monterrey

A group of 15 leaders of businesses, startups, associations, and companies from Texas, Washington, and California, plus members of the U.S.-Mexico Foundation, have visited Tec de Monterrey to explore collaborations in various areas.

Topics discussed at the meeting, held on May 12 at the Monterrey campus, included urban improvement and educational innovation projects, corporate partnerships, and student exchanges with the United States.

“We’re really happy that you’re here. We look forward to listening to your opinions and ideas, as well as your critiques, since we learn a lot when we’re asked or challenged about what we’re doing,” said David Garza, the Tec’s rector and executive president.

“It seems to me that there are many ways to collaborate through universities, companies, and through many civil society institutions,” said Enrique Perret, Director of the U.S.-Mexico Foundation and Tec de Monterrey graduate.

Aiming for further internationalization

Another issue addressed at the meeting between Tec directors and the delegation from U.S.-Mexico Foundation was that of internationalization, which the participants said was an area of opportunity.

“The number of students from the United States at Tec de Monterrey has decreased, and I think we should do something to promote relations between the two countries,” said Mario Adrián Flores, Vice President of the Tec’s Monterrey Region.

“We need to further connect U.S. universities with Mexican universities, and connect governments in this bilateral relationship,” said Perret.

“We look forward to listening to your opinions and ideas, as well as your critiques, since we learn a lot when we’re asked or challenged about what we’re doing.” - David Garza

Learning about Tec de Monterrey projects

During the meeting, directors from Tecnológico de Monterrey shared some of the institution’s educational and social projects and initiatives.

For example, José Antonio Torre, Director of Urban Planning, Sustainability, and Material Assets at the Tec, explained DistritoTec, the urban improvement initiative for the neighborhoods surrounding the Monterrey campus.

“People were leaving the area, but we started a conversation and sat down to listen to the community, their needs, and ideas for the spaces in the future.

“We expected a change in the trend, but we didn’t imagine the accelerated changes we’ve had, and now we’re moving from being a district of regeneration to one of innovation,” said Torre.

For his part, Flores pointed out that they’re already working on transforming DistritoTec into an innovation district by creating areas to concentrate talent, institutions, and companies in the same place.

Looking for opportunities to collaborate on the Tec21 Model

Similarly, Ignacio de la Vega, Executive Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Faculty, and Internationalization at the Tec, shared the institution’s educational model, known as Tec21.

This model is based on learning through solving real-world challenges, in partnership with institutions, governments, companies, and civil associations, as well as having a flexible structure as to how, when, and where learning takes place. 

What’s more, it aims for students to have a memorable university experience and inspiring professors, some of whom come from other institutions around the world and who work in partnership with universities such as MIT and Harvard.

De la Vega pointed out that this model has drawn the attention of both foreign universities and organizations, and invited their visitors to collaborate through their respective companies and organizations.

About the U.S.-Mexico Foundation

The U.S.-Mexico Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting bilateral relations between the United States and Mexico. 

Their visit to Mexico and Tec de Monterrey is part of a program known as “U.S.-Mexico 360,” which consists of bringing leaders from Washington D.C., Texas, and California to Mexico, including executives from Oracle, Cargill, Breakthrough Energy, and Corn Refiners Association, among others. 

“I’m very impressed with how the Tec connects with businesses and companies and I think they’re doing even better than technology centers in the United States.

“It’s encouraging to hear how they’re doing here at the Tec,” said Karyl Fowler, CEO of Transmute Industries.

The visit intends to address issues such as education, entrepreneurship, security, migration, climate change, and supply chains.

“With these types of visits, we promote bilateral cooperation and understanding between the United States and Mexico. In the same way, it helps us generate long-term synergies with leading organizations and companies. 

“So, we contribute by providing cutting-edge knowledge to solve current problems in the bilateral relationship,” explains Carlos Lugo, manager of International Relations at the Tec.

The U.S. delegation was in Monterrey from May 9 to 13, where they also met with state and municipal officials, companies, and civil associations.

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