IPN Joins Mexico City University Alliance

Reporter: Cecilia Balderas / Photographer: Israel Vera

The alliance seeks to position Mexico City as a global hub for research and innovation.

The Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) signed the Letter of Intent establishing the Mexico City University Alliance: Capital of Knowledge of the Americas, an initiative aimed at positioning the Mexico City Metropolitan Area as a global research hub. The alliance also includes the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM), and the Center for Research and Advanced Studies (Cinvestav).

Among the objectives of this strategic alliance—aligned with Mexico’s National Development Plan 2025–2030 and the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda—are the promotion of science with a public purpose, technology with sovereignty, innovation for social well-being, and forward-looking urban development. These strategies are intended to address a range of challenges facing the country.

In his remarks, IPN Director General Arturo Reyes Sandoval emphasized that Mexico City is, by both history and merit, an epicenter of knowledge, not only because of the scale of its higher education institutions but also because of the profound humanistic vocation that defines it.

The signing ceremony took place at UAM’s Casa del Tiempo Cultural Center and was attended by UNAM Rector Leonardo Lomelí Vanegas; Cinvestav Director General Alberto Sánchez Hernández; Deputy Minister of Sciences and Humanities Violeta Vázquez-Rojas Maldonado; Mexico City Secretary of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation Pedro Moctezuma Barragán; and UAM General Rector Gustavo Pacheco López, who hosted the event.

Reyes Sandoval highlighted that the participating institutions are not only emblematic educational centers but also play a fundamental role in expanding access to education for those who need it most, fulfilling a strong social mission.

“Mexico City is, by history and by its own merits, an epicenter of knowledge. It is so because of the scale of its higher education institutions, but also because of the profound humanistic vocation that characterizes and defines it,” he stated.

The IPN Director General stressed that universities must ensure that the city remains a place of hope and opportunity for young people. “Guaranteeing young people sufficient and efficient infrastructure, while ensuring that the talent of Mexico City finds a worthy future, is a challenge that is ongoing and permanent,” he said.

The cooperation mechanism is also intended to strengthen the academic, scientific, cultural, technological, and innovation capabilities of the four public higher education institutions, fostering greater collaboration in addressing national and global challenges.