Foundation Stone Laid for Construction of UPII Tlaxcala

Reporter: Cecilia Balderas / Photographer: Israel Vera

One day before celebrating Polytechnic Day, the Director General highlighted the institution’s territorial growth and social vision.

The Director General of the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Arturo Reyes Sandoval, and the Governor of Tlaxcala, Lorena Cuéllar, laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria en Ingeniería Campus Tlaxcala (UPIIT).

Reyes Sandoval stated that this marks a moment of great celebration, as it represents the beginning of a project aimed at providing the UPIIT community with a permanent space for the dreams, talent, and future of thousands of young people who currently study — or will study — at the campus.

One day before the celebration of Polytechnic Day, the Director General highlighted the institution’s territorial expansion, reaffirmed its social mission, and reiterated the commitment to open its doors to students who need educational opportunities the most.

“The progress achieved at the Politécnico is the result of a process of institutional maturity, dialogue, and careful work. What we are accomplishing today is the outcome of collaboration with both the federal and state governments,” he said.

Reyes Sandoval noted that the IPN’s commitment to creating 30,000 new student spaces, as part of an initiative promoted by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, adds to the nearly 30,000 spaces already created since he assumed the position of Director General in 2020.

UPIIT, which has operated since 2022 in temporary facilities, currently offers cutting-edge academic programs such as Artificial Intelligence Engineering and the Bachelor’s Degree in Data Science, as well as Engineering programs in Biotechnology, Automotive Systems, Transportation, and Industrial Engineering.

The first phase of the construction of the campus’s permanent facilities will allow UPIIT to expand its capacity and welcome more than 1,900 students. The project includes 24 modern classrooms, state-of-the-art laboratories, fully equipped workshops, and common areas for student interaction.

IPN Ends 22-Year Gap in University Expansion

Governor Lorena Cuéllar pointed out that no new universities had been built in Tlaxcala for 22 years. However, she emphasized: “Today, under this Fourth Transformation, we will leave nine higher education options for our young people, and that fills me with great joy.”

The governor recalled the efforts carried out by her administration to bring the Instituto Politécnico Nacional to Tlaxcala, efforts that have now materialized and are already benefiting the state’s youth.

Meanwhile, the municipal president of Contla de Juan Cuamatzi, Ana Ivonne Roldán Xolocotzi, affirmed that the construction of UPIIT is not merely the beginning of a building project, but the start of a new era of transformation and progress for communities throughout the region.

“I want to say this very clearly: this is the largest project in the history of our municipality. It is a project that will mark a before and after — one that will not only transform our territory, but also the future of thousands of young people who dream of studying, preparing themselves professionally, and building a better future without having to leave their homeland,” she stated.