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The strategic Diversity and Inclusion project aims to strengthen and consolidate Tec as an inclusive university by 2025.
As part of the strategies to consolidate itself as an inclusive university, Tecnológico de Monterrey has presented the 2021 Diversity and Inclusion Report: “Let’s Make Community: Nothing About Us Without Us.” It is a compilation of more than 190 initiatives and actions implemented by the institution to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion so that each person feels represented and accompanied.
David Garza, the Executive President of Tec, stressed the importance of recognizing diversity and listening to the voices and ideas of the community so that campuses are spaces where people can flourish. “The fifth edition of the Diversity and Inclusion Report, a document by the community for the community, compiles the most outstanding initiatives and data measuring the progress we have made over time, reflecting the actions and priorities of all of us who are part of the Tec community,” Garza said.
The report was presented on December 1 during a virtual ceremony. In addition, the panel, “Diversity and Inclusion in Universities: Challenges and Opportunities,” participated in the presentation of the report.
Tec seeks greater diversity and inclusion by 2025
One of the initiatives highlighted in this report’s edition was the launch of the strategic project “Diversity and Inclusion by 2025.”
This initiative has seven action axes to consolidate the institution as an inclusive university that:
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Values and respects diversity.
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Promotes plurality and dialogue.
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Recognizes human dignity as the basis for transforming communities and reducing inequalities.
Inés Sáenz, Vice President of Inclusion, Social Impact, and Sustainability at Tec, reflected on the meaning of diversity, inclusion, and equality. “It means recognizing that we all have different contexts and identities, which do not necessarily put us on the same starting line for access to opportunities and experiences,” Saenz said. “As an institution, we have emphatically stated the importance of placing the person at the center of everything we do and all the decisions we make.”
Actions for Inclusivity by Tec
The 2021 Diversity and Inclusion Report contemplate actions and strategies implemented by the four institutions comprising Tec to generate a more just society: (Tec de Monterrey, Tecmilenio, TecSalud, and Sorteos Tec).
The report emphasizes Tec’s commitment to respect human dignity in its community through results generated in six areas:
Socio-economic inclusion
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Scholarship support has been granted in both the preparatory (high school) and university professional programs: 52% of PrepaTec students and 50% of university professional students have received scholarships.
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There are currently 1,553 students who are part of the “Leaders of Tomorrow” program that grants 100% scholarships to bright young people who require financial support to complete a university degree at Tec.
People with disabilities
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In 2020, a protest was taken under advisement by the Consultative Committee of People with Disabilities, comprised of ten people from the four institutions of Tec.
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With New York University, Tec sponsored the program “Let’s talk about disability: challenges in universities” during the International Day of People with Disabilities.
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The first certification in Disability Perspective and Access to Justice was completed.
Gender equality
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The “Gender Equality Plan, 2021-2025” was consolidated, and the Impulsa Network was created with 73 women having growth potential.
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22% of women in Tec hold a director position and 50% middle management.
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43 student groups are dedicated to addressing gender equality issues.
LGBTIQ+ Groups
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In 2020, the LGBTIQ+ Advisory Committee, comprised of 10 people from the four Tec institutions, took protest.
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The Human Rights Campaign – Equity in Mexico certified Tec as one of the “Best LGBTIQ+ Places to Work” in this country.
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During the International Day to Eradicate Lgbt phobias, more than 25 activities were held and more than 70 for LGBTIQ+ Pride Month.
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Four courses on sexual diversity and gender perspective have been conducted for more than 100 teachers.
Cultural diversity
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The institution has 688 active agreements with universities in 45 countries and 14 international liaison offices.
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3,512 international students have pursued their degree program full-time at Tec and 918 temporarily.
Generational diversity
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In the Tec institutions, five different generations collaborate adults over75 years (0.1 %), Baby Boomers (7.2 %), Generation X (44.2 %), Millennials (41.1 %), and Gen Z (7.4 %), participating in different areas, projects, and initiatives.
Reflections on the challenges and opportunities of inclusion
In a space for dialogue and listening, members of the Tec community participated in the panel “Diversity and Inclusion in Universities: Challenges and Opportunities,” where they reflected on the impact of having a culture of inclusion. The panel, moderated by Maryangel García, leader of the Diversity and Inclusion office of Tec, was attended by Yeni Hernández, collaborator of Welfare and Counseling on the Puebla campus, and Rocío Gaona, student and president of the student group AIRE. Also, Agustín Paulín, Director of Digital Transformation at Tec and member of the Impulsa Committee, and Daniela González, EXATEC and Co-editor of Stanford University Social Review, attended.
The panelists agreed on the importance of representation, visibility, and inclusion of all people and the generation of safe environments for an inclusive culture. “Inclusion is about treating people as people, without prejudices and biases,” Yeni Hernandez commented. The panelists spoke about the criticality of generating communities to achieve a profound, rapid, and reverberating impact. They also reflected on challenges such as learning to achieve equality and opportunities. “To talk about diversity is to talk about all people, proclaim that human dignity is recognized, that we can be who we are in a safe space in our community to educate outward,” concluded Maryangel García.
Felisa González, Director of the Center for the Recognition of Human Dignity and Ombudsperson of the institution, highlighted the meaning of the 2021 Diversity and Inclusion Report. “It is a reflection of Tec’s conviction that human beings have common intersections that allow us to understand each other as we aim to occupy a world offering opportunity to celebrate differences and act inclusively,” González said.
The Vice President of Inclusion, Social Impact, and Sustainability recognized that the academy still has challenges to face to create a more inclusive society with fewer inequalities. “We have the task of continuing training and listening to the various voices, especially those that have been ignored for a long time, and to unlearn and relearn how to build our community from within the community,” commented Inés Sáenz.
Click here for Tec’s 2021 Inclusion and Diversity report (in Spanish, soon the English version will be released).
Translation by Daniel Wetta.
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This article from Observatory of the Institute for the Future of Education may be shared under the terms of the license CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 
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