Reporter: Adda Avendaño / Photographer: Javier González
ESIME Ticomán hosts keynote lectures, specialized workshops, and corporate exhibits aimed at bridging the gap between engineering students and the global aviation sector.
To strengthen ties between academic training and the aerospace industry, the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (Escuela Superior de Ingeniería Mecánica y Eléctrica, ESIME), Ticomán Campus, of the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), inaugurated the fourth edition of the Aeronautical Engineering Professional Expo (EXPIA 2026). The event brings together students, industry specialists, and corporate representatives to exchange technical insights, field experience, and career development opportunities.
Held at the ESIME Ticomán facilities through Saturday, EXPIA 2026 is structured around three core pillars: keynote lectures, specialized hands-on workshops, and corporate exhibition booths—activities engineered to connect students directly with the technologies, market trends, and operational practices shaping the future of aviation.
Inaugurating the event, Campus Director Armando Oropeza Osornio emphasized the importance of utilizing this forum to gain firsthand insight into a strategic industry vital to Mexico's technological advancement. He encouraged the student body to actively engage with visiting corporate teams to broaden their expertise and visualize paths toward professional specialization.
"Take full advantage of these days, because the lectures and workshops offered by our speakers are top-tier, and the corporate exhibits hosted inside our hangar represent the very best in the sector," Oropeza Osornio stated.
The Director commended the student leadership behind the event, noting that its success highlights the initiative and organizational capability of the Aeronautical Engineering community, spearheaded by student coordinator Adriana de la Mora Pineda.
Addressing her peers, De la Mora Pineda highlighted that EXPIA offers incoming generations an invaluable platform to engage with seasoned industry leaders, explore cutting-edge projects, and build professional networks.
She emphasized that aeronautical engineering is fundamental to global connectivity, logistics, and economic growth, representing a strategic driver for technological innovation in Mexico.
Future engineers, she stressed, must prepare to address complex industry challenges, including carbon footprint reduction, sustainable aviation fuels, automation, artificial intelligence, advanced composite materials, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
Beyond core classroom and laboratory instruction, De la Mora urged students to cultivate soft skills such as critical thinking, technical communication, and cross-disciplinary teamwork—essential capabilities for navigating a highly competitive global market.
"Be proactive: step forward, ask questions, and research beyond what is presented in each lecture," she urged. "Remember that behind every technological breakthrough is someone who dared to challenge the status quo and translate knowledge into tangible results."
Engineer Erik González Said, Production Planning and Control Manager at Safran Aircraft Engines and an ESIME Ticomán alumnus, delivered the opening keynote, illustrating the diverse career pathways available within an industry that extends far beyond engine manufacturing.
González Said explained that Safran operates across multiple sectors—including aircraft cabin interiors, space technologies, defense systems, and landing gear—opening a broad spectrum of career options for graduates in aeronautical, mechanical, and industrial engineering.
Speaking at EXPIA 2026, he highlighted that Safran maintains an expansive manufacturing footprint in Mexico, operating seven state-of-the-art facilities in the Querétaro aerospace clúster. These plants offer Polytechnic students direct avenues to join global supply chains and participate in international engineering projects.
"Numerous ESIME Ticomán alumni are currently thriving across our global network, including product and production leaders working at Safran headquarters in France who are driving the future of the Safran Group," he concluded.
INSTITUTO POLITÉCNICO NACIONAL
D.R. Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN). Av. Luis Enrique Erro S/N, Unidad Profesional Adolfo López Mateos, Zacatenco, Alcaldía Gustavo A. Madero, C.P. 07738, Ciudad de México. Conmutador: 55 57 29 60 00 / 55 57 29 63 00.
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