T.I.M.E. recently hosted a webinar with Tecnológico de Monterrey to present the university’s evolving internationalization strategy and its double degree portfolio. Tec de Monterrey is actively seeking to evolve from a teaching-centric institution into a research-informed university through deep integration with the T.I.M.E. network.
Speakers
- Mirko Varano — Vice Rector for International Affairs, Vice Presidency for Global Affairs, T.I.M.E. Delegate. Contact: mirko.varano@tec.mx
- Alejandra Vilalta Perdomo — Director for International Academic Development & Global Initiatives, Vice-Rectorate of International Affairs. Contact: alejandra.vilalta@tec.mx
- Eduardo Castañares Márquez — Director of the Master in Engineering Management (MEM) programme at Campus Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences. Contact: ecastanares@tec.mx
Institutional overview
- Financial structure: As a private, non-profit university, Tec de Monterrey reinvests all tuition fees and donations back into the institution.
- Geographic footprint: The university operates a multi-campus system with 22 campuses across 20 Mexican states. International efforts currently focus on six primary campuses to ensure safety, service quality, and a “critical mass” of international students.
- Strategic shift: Traditionally recognized as a premier teaching university, Tec is pivotally shifting its focus toward postgraduate growth, particularly within the School of Engineering and Sciences.
Educational model: challenge-based learning
- Pedagogical framework: The undergraduate system is entirely challenge-based, with courses developed alongside approximately 5,000 corporate partners.
- Corporate integration: Students work on real-world problems for multinational and local companies, contributing to a high employability rate of approximately 90% within six months of graduation.
- Student advantage: The model allows students to rotate through multiple companies, helping them identify specific career interests — and dislikes — before graduation.
International mobility and partnerships
- Mobility imbalance: Tec represents 20% of all Mexican study-abroad mobility. Last year, the university sent over 7,000 students abroad but received only 2,000. Correcting this inbound-outbound imbalance is a primary institutional goal.
- Global reach: Tec maintains over 1,000 agreements with nearly 800 universities in 54 countries.
- Language standards: Undergraduate students must reach B2 English proficiency for graduation. Currently, 20% of courses are taught in English, with plans to launch fully English-taught International Bachelor programmes.
Double degree architecture
- Programme diversity: Six double-degree frameworks are offered, including Bachelor + Bachelor, Bachelor + Master, Bachelor + Advanced Master Placement, Master + Master, Master + Master + Master, and Double PhD.
- Current portfolio: Tec currently manages 27 active double-degree agreements. While Europe remains the most popular destination (70% of student interest), there is a strategic push to expand in the Asia-Pacific region and the Americas.
- Preferred models: The institution privileges reciprocity and exchange-based agreements but is open to “study abroad” fee-based models where necessary.
Graduate programme specializations
Eduardo Castañares Márquez distinguished between two master’s tracks within the School of Engineering and Sciences:
- Scientific Masters: research-based, culminating in a thesis.
- Professional Masters: capstone projects developed in corporate settings.
Upcoming engagement opportunities
The Tec de Monterrey team will be available for bilateral discussions at the following events:
- NAFSA — late May
- Mexican-French Forum (Lille) — June, focused on double-diploma funding and French collaborations
- T.I.M.E. General Assembly , Doshisha University and Keio Double Degree Day (30/09 – 03/10. and 05/10/2026) in Japan
Contacts
- Mirko Varano — Vice Rector for International Affairs, Vice Presidency for Global Affairs, T.I.M.E. Delegat — mirko.varano@tec.mx
- Alejandra Vilalta Perdomo — Director for International Academic Development & Global Initiatives, Vice-Rectorate of International Affairs — alejandra.vilalta@tec.mx
- Eduardo Castañares Márquez — Director of the Master in Engineering Management (MEM) programme at Campus Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences — ecastanares@tec.mx
The full presentation slides are available for download — HERE