Universidad Tecnológica President visits HCC
Dec 2, 2013
Administrators of Universidad Tecnologica Emiliano Zapata (UTEZ) visited Houston Community College October 21-22. President Beatriz Ramirez Velazquez and Director Jesus Rangel came to Houston with the endorsement from The Mexican Secretary of Education to explore a potential exchange program for faculty and students between UTEZ and HCC.
UTEZ is a large progressive technical university in the colonial city of Cuernavaca outside of Mexico City. UTEZ’s mission is to generate competent professionals in technical careers, such as engineering, in less than four years. UTEZ currently offers studies in Textile and Fashion Design, Industrial Maintenance, Business and Management Services, Industrial Processes and Operations, Information Technology and Mechatronics. The UTEZ President expressed interest in HCC’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program as well as the college’s Health/IT/Computer/Video related programs.
President Ramirez was introduced to the presidents of Coleman College and Southwest College. During this meeting, the Presidents discussed the exchange program and toured the campuses, including the science labs and textiles department. This visit marks the beginning of several Mexico Initiative Projects currently underway. HCC is expanding its efforts to serve Mexican students in career fields relevant to UTEZ.
Dr. Ricardo Solis, HCC Executive Director of Global Initiatives, explained that the potential partnership would provide certificates and diplomas towards their degrees in new study areas not currently offered at UTEZ, such as Southwest’s Media and Audio Visual courses and Coleman’s Physical Therapy and Medicine. There is an initiative called “Medical Tourism” that has gained popularity, where more American retirees are moving to Mexico, especially in Central Mexico. This potential future partnership would establish skilled Mexican medical workers to work as Physical Therapists, an uncommon practice in Mexico. An exchange program between these campuses would either allow faculty to teach at UTEZ’s campuses or for students to gain the knowledge and skills needed at HCC’s campuses.
“This is a historical accomplishment for UTEZ and HCC to receive a president of a large technical university from Mexico. For UTEZ, this is the first time they have gone to the United States. HCC is a significantly large school located in a region with economic growth, and has close proximity to Mexico. Houston has a diverse international community, which attracted them,” said Dr. Solis.
Medical Tourism is a huge opportunity for job creation. It is essential to have qualified medical workforce to assist the future needs of our US retirees in Mexico. This educational expansion is an indication of HCC’s mission to provide skilled graduates and lengthen their opportunities.