Tecnológico Universitario del Valle de Chalco

Opened in 2007, the Tecnológico Universitario del Valle de Chalco (TUVCH) stands as a beacon of opportunity. It serves the eastern part of the Mexico City metropolitan area. This small university, part of the Jesuit University System of Mexico (SUJ), has a powerful mission. The TUVCH strives to bring quality technical university education to the working-class communities of the eastern Valley of Mexico. Founded by Father Enrique González Torres, S.J., the TUVCH offers six two-year Higher University Technician (TSU) programs. These programs focus on vital industries like industrial maintenance, mechatronics, auto transport administration and logistics, and IT. Uniquely, the TUVCH also offers a TSU in Care for Dependent Persons, the only one of its kind in Mexico. The Tecnológico Universitario del Valle de Chalco officially joined the SUJ in 2017, under the Universidad Iberoamericana. This partnership has standardized its academic and administrative practices. It also aligns the TUVCH with the Jesuit mission of teaching, research, outreach, and social action. The Tecnológico Universitario del Valle de Chalco aims to expand its academic offerings. It aims to improve access to quality education for young people from working-class backgrounds. The TUVCH has an innovative educational model. It focuses on TSU programs as a means of social mobility for students and their families. These programs are designed to meet the technical demands of the job market. They also provide a pathway to bachelor’s degrees. The TUVCH has diversified its TSU program offerings to include areas like health, engineering, and administration. It also includes informatics, environmental sciences, and social sciences. By 2019, the TUVCH saw a significant increase in students, from 300 to over 900. This demonstrates its importance as an educational option in the region. The TUVCH’s commitment to accessible and relevant education resonates with the local community. The university has adapted to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has adopted online learning and virtual classrooms to cater to students who also work. This blend of practical and theoretical training has proven valuable during these times. The pandemic has brought hardships, leading to a drop in enrollment due to economic difficulties faced by students’ families. Many rely on informal work, which was heavily impacted. The TUVCH’s new challenge is to adapt to this changing landscape. It is finding new ways to deliver education, whether at home or in the workplace via mobile devices. Despite these hurdles, the Tecnológico Universitario del Valle de Chalco remains committed to its mission. It sees its work as a seed planted in challenging times, a testament to the power of education to transform lives.