Tec re-elected to Pacific Rim Universities steering committee

Tec de Monterrey will once again have a seat on the steering committee of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU).

Dr. José Manuel Páez, Vice-Rector of Internationalization at the Tec, said that the institution will once again represent the Latin American region on the steering committee.

This is one of the most important consortiums the Tec has participated in since 2008, which has provided opportunities to students and professors who have excelled in different activities.

David Garza, Rector and Executive President of Tec de Monterrey, will be the one to take its place on the APRU steering committee.

“For us as a university, it’s an honor to represent the region, and for our president to also be on the steering committee,” he said.

Tec de Monterrey on APRU’s steering committee

Dr. Paez said that the APRU is an important network from a strategic and socioeconomic point of view, because it’s specific to the Pacific Rim, which includes large universities that are generally well positioned in the rankings.

“Re-electing the Tec is the right choice, since it has spearheaded academic innovation through its Tec21 model, virtual and hybrid internationalization opportunities, and high levels of student and staff participation in activities and initiatives.”

The Tec21 Model is focused on challenge-based learning, academic flexibility, inspiring teachers, and a memorable student experience.

He explained that it’s governed by the university presidents. As part of this governance, there’s a steering committee that represents the different regions.

“Re-electing the Tec is the right choice, since it has spearheaded academic innovation.”

Dr. Paez said that the Tec’s Rector and Executive President was selected by vote for the 2021-2023 period.

“David was nominated by other university presidents. Once someone has been nominated, there’s a vote. He was taken into consideration for his expertise and his good reputation within the network,” he said.

This committee determines trends to be analyzed by the association and looks at strategic aspects that help create synergy between the universities.

Tec the only Mexican member of this consortium

Tec de Monterrey is one of four Latin American universities (and the only Mexican university) to be invited to the association.

“We have universities from China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, and New Zealand. Practically every country in the Americas is represented, from Canada to Chile. There are 60 universities from 19 economies.

“The Tec’s voice is heard. What’s more, it’s one of the organizations and networks that is listened to within APEC,” he said.

Dr. Paez said that the APRU is a consortium which makes important academic decisions across the Rim, and that universities work on projects in clusters.

“Participating in the APRU goes beyond attending meetings. It’s about taking advantage of networking with other universities, exchanging viewpoints, bringing academic, sports, leadership, and sustainability opportunities to our students, faculty, and staff,” he pointed out.

“Tecnológico de Monterrey is proud to be the only Mexican university belonging to APRU’s university consortium, where we’ve been active members since 2008,” he said.

“Tecnológico de Monterrey is proud to be the only Mexican university belonging to APRU’s university consortium, where we’ve been active members since 2008.”

The main projects in which the Tec participates

This association is a consortium of the main research universities in the Pacific Rim. One of its goals is to promote dialog and collaboration between academic institutions.

- Quarantunes Student Music Competition

4 TEC teams were selected as Quarantunes competition finalists from among 108 competing teams from 24 Pacific Rim universities.

The song “Somos Más”, by the Mexico City campus team won first place alongside National Taiwan University.

- The Teaching in Virtual Environments webinar series

During “The Teaching in Virtual Environments webinar series”, Dr. César Alberto Lucio gave a third interactive session entitled, “Building Community in Remote Classrooms.”

Participants had the opportunity to develop and practice their skills, as well as share their experiences with other participants in online sessions with small groups and whole group discussions.

- The APRU Multi-Hazards Webinar Series

Antonio Bellorín Useche, the Tec’s Chief Security Officer, participated in Conferences, Workshops, and Webinars on topics related to Crisis Management and Business Continuity.

He shared good practices and lessons learned from crisis situations and participated in the publication of case studies on risk management.

- Global Health Leadership 

A distance learning course on global health leadership given by Dr. Manuel Pérez at the Tec. This post-graduate course introduces students to the practice of leadership in global health from those who work in the field.

- Virtual Exchange Program 2020 

This was part of the first “Virtual Exchange Program 2020”. In the first edition, 10 Tec de Monterrey courses were promoted completely online.

- University ESports International Initiative 

Óscar López, LiFE Director in the Mexico City Region and Athletics and Sports Director, took part in aligning expectations with APRU leaders, and a proposal for a work and activity plan was prepared with the initiative’s universities.

A practice session was organized and an international ESports tournament was promoted among the APRU universities.

APRU was established in Los Angeles in 1997 by the presidents of UCLA, Berkeley, Caltech, and the University of Southern California (USC).

Its members now include the presidents of 60 leading research universities from around the Pacific Rim. This includes 200,000 faculty members and 2 million students.

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