A legacy of innovation: The role of Tecnologico de Monterrey in shaping chemical engineering education in Mexico

The School of Chemistry at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) celebrates the 100th anniversary of Chemical Engineering education in Mexico. This program has played a crucial role in driving the country's industrial growth and technological progress. Over the past century, the discipline has been vital in training highly skilled professionals, fostering innovation, and supporting industrial development, thereby enhancing its impact on the nation's economic and scientific progress. This paper highlights and recognizes the contribution of Tecnologico de Monterrey to the historical development of chemical engineering and its role in education across Mexico. We outline the global and local contexts that led to the program's inception, as part of the original offerings when Tecnologico de Monterrey was founded in 1943. We describe how the curriculum has evolved in response to the country's changing needs, leading to the development of our new educational model, Tec21, which aims to bridge the gap between academic training and the rapidly evolving demands of industry. Additionally, we discuss the progression of research within the institution and the efforts to increase women's participation in advancing the discipline. The paper concludes with final reflections on Tecnologico de Monterrey's contribution to engineering education in Mexico.