IPN Welcomes 99 Visiting Students from Across Mexico and the World

By Adda Avendaño / Photos by Javier González

This fall, the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) welcomed 99 visiting students—77 from abroad and 22 from across Mexico—into its classrooms as part of the Academic Mobility Program.

“Today, these 99 students join the history and legacy of the Instituto Politécnico Nacional, founded by General Lázaro Cárdenas. They become part of a tradition that combines technical excellence with social commitment,” said Yessica Gasca Castillo, Secretary for Innovation and Social Integration, during the opening ceremony.

Representing IPN Director General Arturo Reyes Sandoval, Gasca Castillo emphasized the privilege of having students from national and international institutions choose the Politécnico for their semester studies, which run from August 2025 through January 2026. “This experience is not only about academic growth, but also about engaging with the culture and traditions of Mexico,” she said.

Speaking with warmth, she invited students to enjoy the richness of daily life in Mexico: “On behalf of Dr. Arturo Reyes Sandoval, I wish you a successful stay. Enjoy our food—the famous taquitos—get used to our love of chili (even in our candy), and above all, experience the warmth of the Mexican people, and especially the support of your peers at IPN.”

The visiting Mexican students hail from Chiapas, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Puebla, Sinaloa, Tlaxcala, Zacatecas, and Mexico City. The international cohort represents Argentina, Colombia, Spain, France, Italy, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, and Portugal.

Juan José Ramírez Gutiérrez, Director of International Relations at IPN, described the program as a strategic pillar for the institution. “Mobility enriches academic and cultural life by bringing diverse experiences, ideas, and perspectives to our community,” he said. Addressing the 99 students, he added, “Once you have entered IPN, you will always be part of it.”

For Camila Hernández Sosa, a visiting student from Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios (UNIMINUTO) in Colombia, the experience is a milestone. “Studying at IPN represents not only an academic opportunity, but also a cultural encounter. It allows us to understand different social realities and build bridges of solidarity between our communities,” she said.

“This mobility is more than an exchange; each interaction, class, and experience at IPN is a lesson that goes beyond academics, shaping both our professional and personal growth,” Hernández added.