The Tec during COVID-19: Directors report efforts against the pandemic

In an open conversation with the community, Tec de Monterrey directors shared the actions the institution has carried out regarding classes, health, plans, and support due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Via Facebook Live, President of Tec de Monterrey Salvador Alva delivered a message of recognition and gratitude to students, parents, and collaborators for their resilience over these weeks of the emergency.

The session gave a summary of what the institution has done in the areas of health, academic continuity, the Taking Care of Your Mind program, actions to support the community and to mitigate the financial impact.

Each point was summarized by Guillermo Torre, Rector of TecSalud; David Garza, Rector of the Tec de Monterrey; and Claudia Félix, Vice President for the Western Region.

Also participating were Juan Pablo Murra, Vice President of Relations and Development and Bruno Zepeda Vice President for the Office of the Future.

A question and answer session was held at the end, moderated by Inés Sáenz, Dean of the School of Humanities and Education.

THE STRUCTURE OF CHANGE

Alva mentioned that the Tec’s intention is to make the institution’s academic, medical and scientific capacities available to society.

To do so, a temporary structure consisting of 13 committees was created to make decisions in the different areas.

“At the same time as we are attending to the crisis, we have an opportunity to put ourselves in reinvention mode (...) because the world in which we will live will never be the same again,” said Alva.

 

TECSALUD’S ACTIONS

In his speech, Dr. Guillermo Torre highlighted TecSalud’s initiatives during the pandemic, as well as research strategies regarding tests and treatments for COVID-19 patients.

He explained the current situation in Mexico within the international context, in which he stressed that the country continues to have a rising number of cases.

“The daily growth is higher than other countries and mortality has increased in the last 2 weeks, probably because hospital capacity has been exceeded,” he explained.

ACADEMIC CONTINUITY

In his speech, Rector David Garza explained everything concerning academic continuity through the Flexible Digital Model Plus.

“After a month of teaching these courses, we have completed almost 180,000 class sessions. Fortunately, there were very few incidents of technical problems.”

THE MENTAL HEALTH OF THE TEC COMMUNITY

Claudia Félix presented the Taking Care of Your Mind initiative, a digital platform which provides emotional attention through a strategy of content and messages that work as antidotes against negative emotions.
 

SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUNITY

Regarding the activities that the Tec is carrying out in support of the community and society, Juan Pablo Murra pointed out that there have been more than 100 initiatives carried out on different fronts.

He reported that there are 15 areas and institutions of the Tec involved in providing social support in collaboration with governments, organizations, and the community at large.

This Director also highlighted the initiative called Unidos Podemos (Together We Can), a philanthropy program that involves raising donations to support health and education issues.

FINANCIAL MITIGATION PLAN

Bruno Zepeda reported on support for the Tec community by way of scholarships, extensions, exemptions from default interest, loans, and payment programs, so that students can continue with their studies.

“We’ve activated an emergency fund to support Tec and Tecmilenio students and alumni whose families have been affected by the crisis. More than 13,000 families have benefited from this fund,” he explained.

The Director noted that the Tec has also initiated an austerity plan for expenses and investments, seeking to preserve the jobs of teachers and collaborators in order to help academic continuity.

Lastly, he explained that investments have been made in TecSalud, for the benefit of society, to prepare diagnostic tests, intensive care beds, treatments and training for health professionals.

 

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