Partnerships, research, and AI set the course for Education Group

By CONECTA National News Desk | - 08/19/2026 Photo Alejandro Salazar

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"We're challenging ourselves to ask, 'What could be even more transformative than what we've been doing so far?'"

David Garza, Executive President of the Tecnológico de Monterrey Education Group, presented this perspective in the context of the second year of the "Road to 2030" strategic plan, the vision that guides its three institutions: Tec de Monterrey, Tecmilenio, and TecSalud.

In an interview with CONECTA, Garza discussed the main efforts that the Education Group will be focused on during this academic year.

In terms of research, the focus will be on strengthening ties with industry through new collaboration models.

As part of its internationalization efforts, it will seek to expand opportunities so that more students can gain experience at leading universities, as well as strengthening international partnerships in research, health, and talent development.

Garza notes that the next step in the field of artificial intelligence will be to explore how this technology can transform educational, clinical, research, and operational processes beyond simply using tools.

David Garza emphasized that the Tecnológico de Monterrey Education Group will pay special attention to research, artificial intelligence, internationalization, and new educational models during the 2026-2027 academic year. (Photo: Alejandro Salazar)

Striving to strengthen ties between research and industry

Following a record year of industry partnerships, the Education Group plans to strengthen these ties by forming consortia that to help companies address common challenges and connect them with the institution's research capabilities.

The first steps are being taken in areas such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and education. Garza noted that there are already companies in the manufacturing sector which have expressed interest in participating in these consortia.

Another focus will be on the research being conducted at Tec de Monterrey's schools, where this year the goal will be to identify the areas with the greatest potential for impact.

Garza explained, "Each school has a range of areas in which research is being conducted." He noted that the challenge will be to identify "which areas we believe we could have the greatest impact in and how we can focus our resources on those areas."

In addition to these efforts, there is a sign of international recognition. Garza noted that the U.S. National Academy of Engineering has chosen Tec de Monterrey as the host institution for an event to be held in Mexico for the first time. To him, this selection also reflects recognition of the institution's research and educational efforts.

The Education Group aims to strengthen the connection between research and industry by forming consortia dedicated to solving shared issues. (Photo: Everth Bañuelos)

MGreater mobility and valuable partnerships

According to the president of the Education Group, one of the next steps in internationalization will be to increase student mobility, providing students with more opportunities to study at some of the world's best universities.

"Student mobility is what sets us apart, and we want to increase the quantity and quality of that," he said.

In addition to mobility, it is committed to strengthening high-value international partnerships, especially those related to research. The Education Group is entering its second year of collaboration with the Ragon Institute (an initiative of the Mass General Brigham hospital network, MIT and Harvard) and the University of Texas at Austin for the OriGen Health Research Center. The group is also working on a new partnership with Karolinska Institute in Sweden.

TecSalud's international focus includes broadening medical students' experiences and deepening collaboration with Texas institutions, such as the University of Texas at San Antonio and UT Health Science Center.

"We're challenging ourselves to ask, 'What could be even more transformative?'"

Artificial intelligence: A new focus on transforming processes

Garza believes that the next step in artificial intelligence is to explore which processes can be fundamentally transformed through this technology, rather than simply incorporating new tools.

"Our focus is on the questions we're asking ourselves and the challenges we're setting for ourselves. How can we leverage artificial intelligence for our processes and our key areas to make transformational changes?" he said.

This approach includes education, clinical care, research, and the Education Group's operational processes.

In education, both Tec de Monterrey and Tecmilenio have incorporated AI into their educational processes and curricula to prepare graduates for professional environments shaped by this technology.

"We're among the most advanced institutions in Mexico and Latin America, and we are sometimes recognized globally for our use of artificial intelligence in our own educational processes," Garza said.

Building on the success of the 2021 creation of TECbot, Tec de Monterrey developed the institutional ecosystem TECgpt for generative artificial intelligence as part of an ongoing evolution in the use of this technology.

Another initiative that the Education Group aims to promote this academic year is the development and use of artificial intelligence agents designed to support specific tasks and processes.

"I already have an AI agent, and several other areas are starting to implement them," Garza said. It is called Phronesis, a Greek word meaning "practical wisdom."

In 2026, TECgpt Desktop will be made available to teachers and staff, allowing them to use AI with their work-related resources, including emails and files. Garza believes the tool can help improve the personal productivity of the institution's employees.

The Education Group aims to apply artificial intelligence to transform processes in education, healthcare, research, and operations, rather than just using it as a tool. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Expanding the scope of education

Garza explained that the Education Group will seek to expand its reach by offering more flexible and digital educational models, as well as new options for lifelong learning.

More than 40% of students at Tecmilenio are currently enrolled on online courses, including over 10,000 undergraduate students and approximately 12,000 graduate students. That scale now opens up a new possibility.

"We have a presence in Mexico today. How can we establish one in other places outside the country?" Garza asked.

This shift toward more flexible models is also reflected in MAPS, which is based on stackable certificates and personalized learning paths. Over 30% of Tecmilenio's on-campus students are already enrolled on this program. All of its degree programs have been redesigned to incorporate this approach.

As part of its search for new models to reach more people, the Education Group is also preparing to launch a new brand focused on lifelong learning this academic year.

Tecmilenio aims to expand access to education by offering more flexible, digital models. (Photo: Tecmilenio)

Creating ecosystems with impact in innovation districts

The Innovation Districts aim to foster ecosystems where research, innovation, entrepreneurship, education, and health coexist. It is expected that these activities will also lead to economic development, job creation, and added value.

In Monterrey, Garza noted that the Innovation District's two anchor buildings, EXPEDITION FEMSA and the Eduardo Garza T. Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub, are already operational.

"I've always said that the easy part is having the building. The hard part is bringing it to life," he said.

The HUB's "life" is beginning to show, as it already brings together more than 40 startups. Garza explained that the vision is for these ecosystems to also spur new research, companies, projects, and initiatives.

The model is beginning to spread to other regions. Garza mentioned both the Tlalpan Innovation District and development of the Innovation District in Querétaro.

"These initiatives generate a great deal of enthusiasm because we're building a better future," Garza concluded.

About the "Road to 2030" strategic plan

The "Road to 2030" strategic plan is the Tecnológico de Monterrey Education Group's institutional roadmap designed to guide the growth, educational transformation, and evolution of its various impact units (Tecnológico de Monterrey, Tecmilenio, and TecSalud).

Its primary purpose is to transform the lives of individuals and communities through education, addressing challenges such as the disruption caused by artificial intelligence, changes in the labor market, and the need for comprehensive healthcare models.

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