Tec de Monterrey and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), which are the two highest ranked universities in Mexico, have signed a collaboration agreement to boost the country’s scientific and technological ecosystem.

David Garza, rector and executive president of Tec de Monterrey, and Enrique Graue, rector of UNAM, presided over the launch ceremony for the UNAM-TEC Consortium for Research, Technology Transfer, and Entrepreneurship.

Also read: Tec de Monterrey, en el Top 5 de Times Higher Education

Tec de Monterrey creating synergy with UNAM

Each educational institution made a commitment to contribute a seed fund of 10 million pesos to promote initial projects. Private enterprise will also participate in the Consortium.

The ceremony took place on August 18 in the Tec’s Mexico City Campus Library. Directors from both universities participated alongside representatives from FEMSA and CEMEX, who are partners in the agreement.

David Garza (left), rector and president of Tec de Monterrey; and Enrique Graue, rector of UNAM. (Photo: Conecta / David A. León)

Renewing their commitment to science, innovation and technology

The objective of the Consortium is to strengthen collaboration by bringing together different experiences and capacities to develop projects, initiatives, programs, or high-value research that boost educational, social, and economic development in Mexico.

It was also agreed to strengthen the links between Tec de Monterrey and UNAM to create new and better work schemes.

The agreement encourages research teams and students from the two universities to work together and create synergies for the development of technological projects.

As a result, students will develop skills that they can use in professional settings.

The links they will develop with companies through these projects could also lead to future job opportunities.

This agreement means that the universities will also be able to create synergies with companies for developing technologies that find innovative solutions to the needs of different industries.

(Photo: Conecta / David A. León)

Tec and UNAM collaborate on Mexican development

David Garza, rector and president of Tecnológico de Monterrey, emphasized the service to society provided by both higher education institutions as a result of their lengthy collaboration.

“The launch of this Consortium for Research, Technology Transfer, and Entrepreneurship is, without a doubt, a step forward in putting our creativity and talent at the service of society,” Garza said.

“It’s our duty to join forces in all areas, and to bring in other stakeholders from research, education, economy, and government, to begin a positive evolution towards the knowledge economy in Mexico,” he added.

Enrique Graue, rector of UNAM, recognized the efforts made by both universities in innovating and in working together with private enterprise to improve social and economic development in Mexico.

“Today, an unprecedented milestone brings us together: the meeting and fusion of interests with Mexican companies. We’re aware that we need to innovate and increase the value of products produced in Mexico,” said the rector of UNAM.

Opening the door to innovation with companies

At the signing of the collaboration agreement, FEMSA and CEMEX also signed memoranda of understanding to join the consortium.

These will be the first private enterprises to pose challenges to the Tecnológico de Monterrey and UNAM research teams.

“This agreement is a fundamental part of bringing academia and private enterprise together to address the important challenges that we’re working on,” said Ricardo Naya, president of CEMEX.

“It’s a unique synergy between CEMEX, UNAM and the Tec, bringing together the best research and development talent from the three institutions,” he added.

“In collaborating with UNAM and Tecnológico de Monterrey, we’re opening the door to a flow of challenges, needs, knowledge, and opportunities that will allow us to live in a truly innovative community,” said Víctor Treviño, Director of Energy and Sustainability at FEMSA.

The rectors were accompanied by Ricardo Naya (first from left to right), president of CEMEX Mexico; and by Víctor Treviño (last from left to right), Director of Energy and Sustainability at FEMSA. (Photo: Conecta / David A. León)

Juan Pablo Murra, rector of undergraduate and graduate studies at the Tec, emphasized that the agreement has facilitated collaboration between the universities for several years in areas such as health, additive manufacturing, and entrepreneurship.

“From the scientific collaboration of our researchers on more than 500 joint publications, to the creation of the RIE 360 Educational Innovation Network, where universities promote learning through educational innovation,” he said.

The launch of the Consortium also meant the renewal of the Collaboration Framework Agreement, originally signed by both institutions in 2016 and which was valid for 5 years.

The event also included Jorge Vázquez Ramos, Coordinator of Outreach and Technology Transfer at UNAM, and Hugo Garza Medina, vice president of Strategic Projects at Tec de Monterrey.