Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education

The Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM) is a private research university based in Monterrey, Mexico. It has campuses in many cities across the country and offices in other countries, too.

The university was founded in 1943 by Eugenio Garza Sada, a businessman from Monterrey who studied in the United States.

ITESM was the first university outside the U.S. to connect to the internet in the Western Hemisphere, linking up with the University of Texas at San Antonio.

History

Main article: History of the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education

The Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education began on September 6, 1943. A group of local businessmen, led by Eugenio Garza Sada, started it. They wanted a place for students to learn skills needed by companies in Monterrey at the time. The school started in a big house and grew quickly, needing more space. In 1947, a new campus opened in Monterrey by the president of Mexico.

The school wanted to connect with other countries. In 1950, it became the first foreign university to get approval from a group in the United States. This helped it grow and attract students from around the world. Over the years, the school expanded to many cities in Mexico and even started teaching online. It became one of the first universities in Latin America connected to the Internet in 1989.

Campuses

There are thirty-one campuses of the Institute in twenty-five cities in Mexico. Each campus works mostly on its own but follows the same national curriculum (see Academics). The main campus is in Monterrey, where the system's leadership is based. Most campuses offer both high school and university education, while some have postgraduate programs. Only eight campuses offer only high school courses.

The campuses are in different regions of Mexico, including the North, Centro, South, and West. The Institute also has international sites and liaison offices in many countries around the world.

Organization

All campuses get help from non-profit organizations made up of local business leaders. The Monterrey Campus is helped by Enseñanza e Investigación Superior, A.C. (EISAC), which helped start the whole university. Since February 2012, the president of ITESMAC has been José Antonio Fernández. He studied there and now leads a big company called FEMSA.

The university also runs several high schools called "HighPoint International School". These schools have different programs. One helps students learn English well. Another teaches a third language and includes time studying in another country. There is also the International Baccalaureate program from Geneva, Switzerland. Students in these programs can earn credits that count toward college at TEC or universities in other countries.

Academics

The Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education is different from most Mexican universities. It does not use traditional departments, but special divisions instead. It was the first Mexican university to split the school year into semesters. Today, students have two semesters each year, from August to December and January to May, with an optional summer session.

As of 2010, the university offered 57 undergraduate programs, 33 master's degrees, and 11 doctorate degrees. Since 1969, students applying must pass a special test to show they are ready for college work. The university’s programs are approved by education authorities in both Mexico and the United States. It also belongs to important groups of universities around the world.

The institute has over 10,000 teachers, many of whom work with schools in other countries. It has many libraries across Mexico, holding millions of books and magazines.

The university is one of only two in Mexico to appear in world university rankings. It offers special programs together with universities in other countries, such as the United States, the Netherlands, China, Brazil, France, Canada, and Germany.

Medical school

The Ignacio A. Santos School of Medicine is the medical school part of the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM). It started in 1978 in Monterrey, Mexico.

The school was created to help the country need better medical training and new ideas in biomedical research. Today, there are about 500 students in the medical doctor program and around 105 students in programs after their medical studies. Besides the medical doctor program, the school also offers a special program that leads to both a medical doctor and a Ph.D. degree, working with places like Houston Methodist Hospital and Texas A&M Health Science Center. There are also programs in Biosciences, Nutrition Sciences, and Biomedical Engineering. The school has many training programs for doctors who want to learn more after their studies.

Research

The Monterrey Institute of Technology started research in 1951 with the Institute of Industrial Research, working with the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas.

The university made research important in 2005, even with limited funding. This created new programs and labs, like the Femsa Biotechnology Center and the Water Center for Latin America and the Caribbean. The university also started a patent system to help researchers. It has become a leader in patents among Mexican universities since 2006. In 2025, it added a Meltio M450 system for student training and research in advanced manufacturing.

Student life

Student life, traditions, and activities can be different at each campus. Each campus has a special office to help students join groups, sports, and other activities.

The university offers scholarships to help students who need financial support. The number of students from other countries also changes between campuses. As of December 2017, over 4,700 international students were studying at one of its campuses.

Athletics

Tec has a strong history in college sports. The university has won many medals in national competitions and has been very successful in American football. The university has invested in sports facilities and offers scholarships to attract talented athletes.

Since 1945, the school's mascot has been the ram, also called "borrego salvaje".

Notable people

See also: List of Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education alumni and List of Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education faculty

This university has many famous graduates and staff. From 2006 to 2009, two important leaders from the United States and Mexico went to the university. These include business leaders such as the head of Cemex and FEMSA, and well-known people in science and technology, like a winner of the UNESCO Science Prize.

The university also has alumni who have served in important government roles and have been leaders in culture and sports, such as Olympic medal winners and a former coach of Mexico’s national football team. Some professors and staff have also gone on to lead other universities and important organizations around the world.