Tec students present project at MIT SCALE Conference for Latin America

Their project focuses on helping micro-enterprises cope with the consequences of the pandemic.

By Wendy Gutiérrez | State of Mexico Campus - 07/21/2022 Photo Courtesy

The team consisting of Mariana Pérez, Sofía Quintana, Karen Alcalá, and Tadeo Vargas, all Industrial and Systems Engineering students at the Tec in Mexico City, represented the Tec and Mexico at the 2022 MIT SCALE Conference for Latin America.

Their project was developed as a case study which assessed a manufacturing company implementing a heuristic model in order to optimize its production processes.

“By presenting our project, we were able to share how Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) can benefit from efficient production planning,” said Karen.

The team’s main objective was to create a tool in an Excel file that would allow the MSE to better manage its production process.

“This would, in turn, cause a reduction in overall production times, meaning a reduction in costs and waste through improving planning.

“All of this was aimed at helping the micro-enterprise cope with the consequences of the pandemic,” Mariana said.

“Helping the micro-enterprise cope with the consequences of the pandemic.”

The project began in a Production/Inventory Management class in the second semester of 2020. It was selected to be presented at the MIT GeneSys Fest, organized by MIT’s Center for Transportation and Logistics, where it was given an honorable mention.

Estudiantes Tec CCM presentes en el MIT SCALE Latin America Conference

“That motivated us to continue developing the project to share the knowledge we’d acquired in a publication or an article.

“While searching for magazines or journals in which to publish the article, we came across the possibility of presenting our project at the MIT SCALE Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean as part of a contest for student-written papers,” explained Sofía.

The 2022 MIT SCALE Conference for Latin America is an event organized by MIT at which many logistics and supply chain management research projects are presented.

It aims to share innovative discoveries and challenges from different parts of LATAM.

Constant support from advisors

According to the team, they only had the opportunity to participate in the event thanks to the constant support of their advisers, Dr. Jaime Palma and PhD candidate Camilo Mora.

“When we registered, we thought that it was going to be a hybrid experience, but changes in logistics at the time of the event led to the team being divided so only two members of the team actually went to the event in person and presented the project.

“Meanwhile, the rest of the team had the opportunity to complement their work and participate in the Q&A section remotely,” said Tadeo.

Estudiantes Tec CCM presentes en el MIT SCALE Latin America Conference

The team participated in the student paper competition category, which required a 15-minute presentation and 5 questions. They competed against other projects developed by students from different LATAM countries.

For Mariana, working with her classmates, their advisors, and the company with which they carried out the project was a very enriching experience.

“Presenting this work at the conference was the result of the effort, time, dedication and commitment that we all made, and presenting it was an extremely happy moment,” she said.

“Presenting it was an extremely happy moment.”

Tadeo shared that all the effort and dedication each one of them put in was reflected in the final paper and its presentation before a jury of academics and industry professionals.

Karen pointed out that these types of projects provide various opportunities which go beyond the solely academic.

“I believe that surrounding yourself with people you can empathize and create synergy with is key. It goes far beyond the knowledge that you can acquire by any other means,” she said.

Estudiantes Tec CCM presentes en el MIT SCALE Latin America Conference

Finally, the team shared that the Tec has provided them with tools and social and academic opportunities which have supported their personal and professional growth.

“The professors transmit their passion for their subjects to us and act as mentors who are willing to support and guide us even beyond the classroom.

“As a result of the Tec’s learning methodology, which is based on challenges and experiences that go beyond the classroom, we’re motivated to develop projects, participate in this type of event, and complement our personal and professional learning,” Sofía concluded.