Héctor Mayagoitia Domínguez, a polytechnic with a spirit of service

Claudia Villalobos

With a slow but steady gait, and an immense inner strength that allowed him to carry a century of existence, possessing the energy and joy to arrive at his beloved Instituto Politécnico Nacional every day, that was Dr. Héctor Mayagoitia Domínguez. He fulfilled his role at the helm of the Polytechnic Sustainability Coordination with dedication and responsibility until his last days.

The passing of this man with a genuine smile and a deep commitment to the environment, who was born in Victoria de Durango, Durango, on January 7, 1923, leaves a significant void in this institution due to his contributions to education, public service, and his dedication to putting "La Técnica al Servicio de la Patria" in the broadest sense.

One of the guiding principles of this illustrious Polytechnic, who graduated from the Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas (ENCB) as a Bacteriologist Parasitologist Chemist and from Rutgers University in the United States as an expert in Soil Chemistry, was to give his best effort in everything he undertook. He served as a professor for almost two decades at IPN, teaching courses from pre-vocational to postgraduate levels.

At his Alma Mater, he was the head of the Soil and Plant Chemistry Laboratory. In the Ministry of Public Education (SEP), he served as the Director General of Technological Education and as the Undersecretary of Media, Technical, and Higher Education.

Combining science and politics, Héctor Mayagoitia, during his tenure as the governor of Durango, established 22 Agricultural and Livestock Technological Schools, the first Agricultural and Livestock Technological Institute in the state, six Centers for Scientific and Technological Studies, and the Forest Research Center. Alongside Dr. Gonzalo Halffter, he founded the state's first Biosphere Reserve, Michilía and Mapimí, recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1977.

For the Polytechnic community, Héctor Mayagoitia Domínguez is a symbol of a fruitful career devoted to the highest human values, science, and technology. He dedicated his entire life to the benefit of nature, his state, his country, and the Politécnico, which he led from 1979 to 1982.

Some of his achievements during his time at IPN include promoting the Organic Law, which is still in effect, establishing the Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional (CIIDIR) Michoacán and the Centro de Lenguas Extranjeras (Cenlex) Santo Tomás Unit, and inaugurating the first Polytechnic Book Fair.

For his contributions, Héctor Mayagoitia, who also served as the Director Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (Conacyt), received various recognitions, including the "Lázaro Cárdenas" Medal, an Honorary Doctorate from the College of Postgraduates, the 2018 World Icon for Sustainability Endeavors (WISE) Award, and since 2016, the Environmental Heritage Chair of the Instituto Politécnico Nacional has borne his name.

In summary, the legacy of Dr. Héctor Uriel Mayagoitia Domínguez is so prolific that future generations now face the difficult task of upholding his name through their performance. He propelled activities focused on preserving natural resources and biodiversity with a positive attitude, as he believed this was fundamental for achieving success.

The secret to this distinguished Polytechnic's long life was learning to find happiness and joy in his work, in his institution, where he shared his wisdom with joy and humility until his final days. His contributions, in addition to leaving a profound mark, will ensure that his spirit continues to grow and expand as an invaluable part of Polytechnic history.

"The secret to reaching this age and having the enthusiasm to go to the office every day is to stay active, take care of your health, and pay attention to your diet."

Gaceta Politécnica #1748. (October 16th, 2023). IPN Imagen Institucional: Read the full magazine in Spanish here