Increase in Higher Education Enrollment: Mexico’s Technological and Polytechnic Universities Reach 378,000 Students
Mario Delgado Carrillo, the Secretary of Public Education (SEP) in Mexico, announced that the country’s Universities for Technology and Polytechnics (UTyP) system has seen a 10% increase in enrollment, growing from 348,000 to 378,000 students. Of these, 145,000 are new students for the September-December 2025 quarter.
Background on Mario Delgado Carrillo
Mario Delgado Carrillo is a prominent Mexican politician who currently serves as the Secretary of Public Education. Appointed by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, Delgado Carrillo plays a crucial role in shaping Mexico’s education policies and initiatives. His recent announcement highlights the government’s commitment to expanding access to higher education, particularly in technological and polytechnic fields.
UTyP System Overview
The UTyP system comprises 191 universities spread across 31 Mexican states. This network is a cornerstone of the Plan México, which aims to develop skills and increase coverage in higher education. The ultimate goal is to achieve 55% enrollment by the end of the current six-year term.
President’s Request for Strategic Plan
During the delivery of the National Merit Award to STEM Women in the Technological Subsystem 2024-2025, Delgado Carrillo mentioned that President Sheinbaum Pardo requested a strategic plan to ensure the sustained growth of enrollment and stronger connections with Mexico’s productive sectors.
Recognition of Women in STEM
Delgado Carrillo, accompanied by Marlenne Johvana Mendoza González, Director General of UTyP, presented the National Merit Award to STEM Women. This award celebrates outstanding women in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Delgado Carrillo praised rectors, rectores, directors, and directresses for their leadership and dedication to educational communities.
UTyP as Innovation Hubs
Ricardo Villanueva Lomelí, Subsecretary of Public Education, emphasized that UTyP’s flexible and efficient model allows for comprehensive professional training in less time, with options for technical certification, bachelor’s degrees, and engineering degrees. He also highlighted the National Merit Award for STEM Women, which received over 450 nominations in its 2024 and 2025 editions, recognizing nine distinguished women in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
Student and Academic Perspectives
Noemí Rivera Vega, a student of Nanotechnology Engineering at the Fidel Velázquez Technological University, spoke on behalf of the award-winning students and faculty. She emphasized the commitment of women in the UTyP system, whose skills and efforts contribute to Mexico’s scientific and social development.
Award Winners
The 2024 awardees were Noemí Rivera Vega, Karen Alexia Ávalos Tiscareño, Luz Roxana de León Lomelí, Gabriela Salas Cabrera, and Marisela Álvarez Sánchez. The 2025 recipients were Lucía Esmeralda Yáñez Rodríguez, Humiko Yahaira Hernández Acosta, Ivonne Ramírez Díaz, and María del Consuelo Jiménez Fernández. These women embody the talent, creativity, and dedication driving Mexico’s scientific and technological progress.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main focus of Mexico’s government regarding education? The government prioritizes strengthening the technological and polytechnic system in higher education.
- How many universities are part of Mexico’s technological and polytechnic subsystem? There are 191 universities in this subsystem across 31 Mexican states.
- What is the current enrollment in the UTyP system? The UTyP system currently has 378,000 students, with a 10% increase from the previous term.
- What is the ultimate goal for higher education enrollment in Mexico? The government aims to achieve 55% enrollment in higher education by the end of the current six-year term.
- What recognition was recently given to women in STEM fields? The National Merit Award to STEM Women in the Technological Subsystem 2024-2025 was presented to nine distinguished women in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
