Stepping onto the grounds of ITESM Campus Ciudad de México, one might initially mistake it for a colonial hacienda. Its architecture evokes a sense of history. However, this campus is a hub of modern education and innovation. ITESM Campus Ciudad de México, located in Tlalpan, south of Mexico City, opened its doors in 1973. It started as the “Unidad Ciudad de México” with a modest 97 students in a building on Dr. Lucio Street.
The campus quickly outgrew its initial location. By 1977, it moved to Fray Servando Teresa de Mier Street, adding a high school section. This building now houses the Historical Center of the Autonomous University of Mexico City. The 1980s saw significant growth for ITESM Campus Ciudad de México. More study programs were added, research centers were established, and student enrollment increased. By 1986, the campus had over 1,000 students.
In 1989, the current site in Tlalpan was purchased. Construction began the following year. The first phase included Aulas I and Oficinas I. Classes started in these new buildings in August 1990. The campus continued to expand with more classrooms, offices, a cafeteria, a library, and the CEDETEC-CEMEX. This Business and Technology Development Center was inaugurated in 2005 by then-President Vicente Fox. The sports facilities, located a block from the main campus, opened in 2003. Notably, ITESM Campus Ciudad de México was the first in Latin America to partner with prestigious institutions like MIT, Carnegie Mellon University, and Yale.
The campus is also known for its art. The large chessboard and sculptures by Miguel Peraza have earned it the nickname “Chess Campus.” The “King” sculpture stands beside the library entrance. Another notable piece is the mural “Man, Word, and Technology” by Raúl Anguiano in the Electronic Computing Center. The campus’s colonial Mexican architecture, chosen to mirror the style of central Mexico City, has also garnered recognition.
In 2017, the Cultural and Sports Center became a temporary campus. This was necessary to accommodate 120 prefabricated classrooms while construction continued elsewhere. The new ITESM Campus Ciudad de México buildings are LEED-certified, reflecting the university’s commitment to sustainability. The “Distrito Tlalpan” project further demonstrates this commitment. This project aims to transform the surrounding urban and social environment in collaboration with the community.
ITESM Campus Ciudad de México offers a range of academic programs, from high school to postgraduate studies. The high school program has multiple tracks. The professional program encompasses 28 programs across five schools: Engineering and Sciences, Humanities and Education, Business, Government and Social Sciences, and Architecture, Art and Design. Postgraduate offerings include diplomas, continuing education programs, master’s degrees, and doctorates. ITESM Campus Ciudad de México has a strong focus on practical and applied research. The campus has filed several patent applications and published a number of patents, including some with the World Intellectual Property Organization. It boasts a substantial number of researchers recognized by the National System of Researchers. There are 14 research groups, focusing on areas like social sciences, government, business, and information technology. The campus also has a social incubator dedicated to community development, with programs in education, human development, and economic and social empowerment.