Tecnologico de Monterrey (Mexico)

The Tecnológico de Monterrey is a Mexican private, non-profit educational institution that was founded in 1943. At the present time it has campuses distributed throughout the country, and academic centers in Mexico and other Latin American countries; it also has international offices in North America, Europe, and Asia. Through its Virtual University it is present all over the world, by means of learning networks and advanced information technologies. The work of the Tecnológico de Monterrey and of all of its campuses is supported by civil associations made up of a large group of outstanding leaders from all parts of the country, who are committed to quality in higher education.

The mission of Tecnológico de Monterrey is to form persons with integrity, ethical standards and a humanistic outlook, who are internationally competitive in their professional field and, who,  at the same time are good citizens committed to the economic, political, social and cultural development of their community and to the sustainable use of natural resources. Tecnológico de Monterrey website>>

Institute for Sustainable Social Development

The Institute for Sustainable Social Development (IDeSS) develops educational, training, and entrepreneurship programs around high quality courses available to interested parties by means of information technology. Tecnológico de Monterrey students take part in these programs as assistants to microbusinesses, course tutors, and consultants in their areas of expertise, performed as community social service. Faculty plays a role as mentors who guide and oversee the Tecnológico de Monterrey students’ activities in these programs.

Among the Institute for Sustainable Social Development’s educational offers is the Prepanet, which offers an online high school program to those individuals who, because of time, financial or geographical constraints had not had the opportunity to pursue their high school studies in the traditional mode.

The Institute for Sustainable Social Development reaches its goals by means of the social incubators and community learning centers. The social incubators make up a national network of centers that cater to marginalized communities near Tecnológico de Monterrey campuses, whose students play an active, face to face role as consultants under their professors’ guidance. Their work is aimed at knowledge transfer in education, entrepreneurship, health, and housing, to name a few areas. The community learning centers, on the other hand, have the support of the Tecnológico de Monterrey, but are largely operated by the Department of Social Development, State governments, companies, or civil society organizations. These centers are educational spaces aimed at individuals in geographically isolated areas or who lack traditional education services. The network is made up of centers scattered mainly throughout Mexico, although there are several located in the United States and various Latin American countries. Tecnológico de Monterrey students participate in these Centers as online tutors. Learn more about IDeSS>>

To learn more about civic engagement at the Tecnológico de Monterrey, you can download a presentation by Ernesto Benavides Ornelas here>>