Bridging borders: ASU and Tec de Monterrey partner to advance practical skills to meet global engineering demands
What does the future of economic progress look like for Mexico?
Arizona State University and Tec de Monterrey are building that vision together. Through ASU’s Learning Enterprise, six courses are being introduced to Tec de Monterrey’s Master’s in Engineering programs. This collaboration, which began with two courses in the spring, aims to equip students with an international online experience from ASU and the skills needed to thrive in Mexico’s most in-demand industries.
Shaping Mexico’s future workforce
Mexico currently produces more STEM graduates per capita than the U.S., recognized among the top 10 STEM graduate-producing countries. One reason for such a ranking? Mexico’s economy is currently driven by several industries, including automotive, aerospace, electronics, and information technology. In particular, the rapid industrialization of the automobile landscape has increased demand engineering skills.
All these sectors require a workforce skilled in advanced technological competencies. To address this need, local governments have staunchly supported specialized training programs to comprehensively upskill learners in areas including sustainability, supply chain and advanced innovation.
With 31 campuses located in 25 cities throughout Mexico, Tec de Monterrey is known for bolstering the local economy, with a strong emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship. Home to a diverse student body of over 90,000, Tec de Monterrey offers a unique blend of cultural and academic experiences, often helping them launch business ventures.
The university has consistently ranked among the top institutions in Latin America, particularly excelling in engineering, business, and technology. Such recognition has attracted many engineering, manufacturing and microelectronics companies to Mexico, to tap its growing talent pool. In fact, the United States Chips and Science Act codifies the impetus for the U.S. and Mexico to collaborate — for the growth of both workforces.
Now, by offering six ASU courses for current and aspiring engineering professionals, Tec de Monterrey aims to provide its students with cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills to meet the demand head on.
“At Tecnológico de Monterrey, we recognize that international collaboration is essential for driving Mexico’s economic and social progress,” shared Dr. Adriana Vargas-Martínez, dean of professional postgraduate studies and internationalization of the School of Engineering at Tec de Monterrey. “Our partnership with ASU, through the integration of innovative courses into our graduate programs, is equipping a new generation of professionals with the global skills needed to meet the demands of Mexico’s most dynamic industries.”
Nearly 120 students took the first two courses during the spring 2024 semester, “Sustainability Analyst Specialization” and “Advanced Innovation,” to provide participants with a deeper sense of the role engineering plays in sustainability and innovation leadership. Both asynchronous, flexible experiences were designed by ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business and College of Global Futures and facilitated by world-class ASU faculty.
“This partnership not only provides access to an ASU diploma, but also allows students to be on the cutting edge of trending topics,” said Feniosky Avelhermi Pena-Mora, dean of the school of engineering at Tec de Monterrey. “Furthermore, the opportunity to gain international experience is highly valued by students, reflecting their desire to broaden their vision of the academic and professional world.”
Students delved into highly relevant content of pressing societal challenges and technological advancements, and how engineering plays a vital role in creating solutions.
“The course was an enriching experience that deepened my understanding of innovation, particularly through the exploration of disruptive innovation, digital inequality, and the transition from invention to innovation,” shared Pablo Cid, a Master’s in Engineering student at Tec de Monterrey. “By examining real-world examples like Tesla and discussing the impacts of digital inequality during the COVID-19 pandemic, I gained valuable insights into how technological advancements can reshape industries and societies. This experience significantly enhanced my ability to foster and sustain innovation in a rapidly evolving landscape.”
Next steps for a bold educational alliance
This partnership underscores the importance of cross-border collaboration and a global mindset to advance economic and workforce progress. In the fall, students will engage in the next set of courses, which will come from the Fulton Schools of Engineering and W. P. Carey, ensuring a broad spectrum of expertise and practical application.
- “Materials Science for Technological Applications – Semiconductors,
- “Designing Antifragile Microelectronics Supply Chains”
“ASU’s College of Global Futures was founded on the premise that sustainability and innovation skills and competencies are required for today’s jobs and will be required in even greater abundance to solve tomorrow’s global challenges,” shared Ryan Johnson, executive director of executive and professional education for the School of Sustainability at the College of Global Futures. “This kind of multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary collaboration between ASU and Tec de Monterrey is what’s needed to secure the global future for humanity.”
This work emphasizes the role of strategic partnerships in preparing students for the evolving demands of the global workforce. Marco Serrato, ASU’s associate vice president of enterprise collaborations, highlights the collaboration’s significance: “By partnering with Tec de Monterrey, we are fostering a deep knowledge exchange that benefits students and educators on both sides of the border. This is about shaping the future of education and workforce development globally, and Mexico is such a vital market for binational cooperation, opportunity and growth.”
Kevin Dooley, a professor at ASU’s WP Carey School of Business highlighted that “It’s a pleasure for ASU faculty to engage with the engineering students at Tec de Monterrey. The students are top notch and passionate about sustainability.”
The Tec de Monterrey team had an opportunity to visit ASU and get a tour last June, solidifying future partnership initiatives. As both universities look to the future, their collaboration serves as a model for how international educational partnerships can significantly impact workforce development and economic growth.
For more information or to schedule an interview with an ASU spokesperson, please contact:
Samantha Becker
Strategic Communications Advisor to the EVP
ASU’s Learning Enterprise
sam.becker@asu.edu