Tec promotes creation of engineering institute in El Salvador

A multidisciplinary team of more than 100 people from Tec de Monterrey collaborated to create a new educational space, the Key: Kriete Institute of Engineering and Sciences, in El Salvador.

“We appreciate the trust placed in Tecnológico de Monterrey to help design and develop this educational ecosystem, the result of a 16-month collaborative process involving more than 100 experts from our institution.

“This joint effort has enabled the creation of three engineering degrees, the start of operations, and the commitment to train extraordinary talent who will transform the region’s social and economic reality,” said Juan Pablo Murra, Rector of Tec de Monterrey, during the Key Institute’s launch.

In line with the vision of Salvadoran business owner and Key founder Roberto Kriete to create a space for fostering new generations of engineers, the Tec’s multidisciplinary team supported and accompanied the creation of this space.

The Vice Presidency of Learning for the Future led the Tec’s work in collaboration with the Institute for the Future of Education (IFE), which developed the project’s seven pillars.

“Using a co-creation model, they asked us to help them design and develop an educational ecosystem for a world-class engineering and science institution in El Salvador.

“It was a project involving the participation of more than 100 people, including staff, professors, and people from the Tec. We were able to help internalize, design, and of course prepare ourselves to make this educational ecosystem a reality,” said the Vice President of Continuing Education, Jorge Blando.

The Key Institute starts with three degrees: Integrated Computer Science Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing, and Mechatronic Engineering and Robotics.

“Today, I want to recall a phrase that perfectly summarizes what we celebrate here: ‘Education can achieve anything.’These words by Eugenio Garza Sada, founder of Tecnológico de Monterrey, reflect the essence of the Key Institute’s purpose.

“Education is the most powerful force for transforming societies, driving development, and creating opportunities. Today, with the launch of this institute, we are setting in motion a project that will change lives,” said José Escamilla, Associate Director of the IFE.

Skills-based education model

The Tec professors and staff who helped the Key Institute team create it established a skills-based model.

“The Key Institute understands this need and has therefore designed an education model based on five fundamental pillars to guarantee that teaching not only focuses on technical development but also on the integrated learning of students.

“These pillars combine practical learning, the development of critical thinking, innovation, leadership, and wellbeing, essential elements for the training of engineers who will make a difference in their environment,” said Escamilla de los Santos.

This model aims to guarantee disciplinary knowledge and skills while promoting the acquisition of cross-cutting skills among its students.

“The education model of the new institute in El Salvador promotes diverse cross-cutting and technical skills.

“We have adopted the concept of ‘power skills,’ such as critical thinking and creative thinking, emphasizing the importance of these skills in students’ training,” added Jorge Blando.

“We appreciate the trust placed in The Tec de Monterrey to help them design and develop this educational ecosystem”.- Juan Pablo Murra.

The Vice-President of Continuing Education at the Tec recalled that this collaboration began just as it celebrated its 80th anniversary, saying “it is a privilege to participate in creating a new private non-profit institute focused on generating an impact on society.

“This is the reflection of a collaboration, partnership, and support in creating a new institution that aims to be a high-quality institution to train outstanding professionals in a country very close to Mexico,” concluded Blando.

Some of the people from The Tec involved in the group who assisted in creating the Key Institute are:

• Jorge Limón Robles: Talent Management Director
• Karina Noemí Roleri: Consultant for the Institute for the Future of Education
• Karla Diez: former International Region Liaison Director
• Diana Betancourt: Continuing Education and Graduate Course Leader for Central America
• Joaquín Acevedo: Academic Associate Dean and participant in the design of the education model
• Sandra Gudiño: Director of the Regional Education Department
• Adriana Gámez: Director of Trainers and Life program design
• Héctor Núñez: Vice President of Education for Development
• Berta Saldívar: Director of Educational Technology and Digital Transformation
• Minerva Reyes: Selectivity Leader

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