The government of Nuevo Leon has launched the Hub NL of Higher Education, an initiative designed to strengthen workforce development, improve employability and deepen collaboration between universities and the industrial sector, state officials said.
Governor Samuel García led the launch and signed a collaboration agreement with four leading universities, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL), Universidad de Monterrey (UDEM), Tecnológico de Monterrey, and Universidad Regiomontana, to allow students to share faculty, courses and infrastructure across institutions, particularly at the postgraduate level.
The project, formally known as Hub NL of Higher Education: Knowledge, Innovation and Linkage, aims to position Nuevo Leon as an international academic hub while aligning higher education more closely with the needs of industry and productive sectors.
García said the program will initially focus on engineering disciplines, reflecting strong demand from Nuevo Leon’s industrial base. “Universities will share infrastructure, classrooms and faculty, which is why we call them microcredentials,” the governor said, explaining that the model allows students to accumulate academic credits toward postgraduate degrees regardless of their home institution.
Hub NL will launch with postgraduate microcredentials integrated into flexible academic pathways designed to be relevant and internationally competitive. The approach is intended to help professionals update skills, increase employability and connect more effectively with the productive sector. From an industrial perspective, the hub targets strategic areas such as STEM, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, electromobility and cybersecurity, as well as business programs linked to nearshoring and sustainable development, with an emphasis on smart cities.
The initiative includes inter-institutional recognition of academic pathways, the ability to incorporate microcredentials into formal postgraduate or continuing education programs, and a shared technology platform to manage admissions, credit transfers and academic records. The model also emphasizes internationalization through academic mobility and programs with international accreditation, while maintaining direct links with industry to develop specialized talent.
“This is just the beginning, as Nuevo Leon continues to set the example,” García said, adding that the program will gradually expand to include social sciences, law, and medicine with support from the state’s higher education authorities.
The launch event was attended by education officials, academic leaders, business representatives and local government authorities, including Miguel Ángel Flores, Minister of the Interior, and Juan Paura, Minister of Education, who endorsed the initiative as a key driver of industrial competitiveness in Nuevo León.
Nuevo Leon Opens Doors to Learning, Employment, and Social Mobility
MBN reported that in an effort to strengthen digital inclusion and expand educational and job opportunities, the Nuevo Leon Ministry of Equality and Inclusion, Fundación DEACERO and Fundación Solidaria de Softtek inaugurated the new Softtek/DeAcero Technology Classroom at the Valle Soleado Community Center.
The new classroom is equipped with computers, internet access, furniture, air conditioning and digital training programs. It will host workshops focused on technological skills, logical thinking and STEAM tools, helping children, youth, and adults bridge the digital divide and access new pathways for personal and professional development.
“We believe in the power of technology to change lives. This classroom does not just bring computers, it opens doors to learning, employment, and social mobility,” said Fernando Nava, Corporate Sustainability Director, Softtek. “Every alliance that expands digital access is an investment in Mexico’s future.”
Fundación DEACERO, which has supported more than 700 organizations nationwide, reaffirmed its commitment to community empowerment.
“Access to technology is a tool for equity,” said Alicia Núñez, Director, Fundación DEACERO. “We support projects that strengthen communities through education and employability. This alliance with Softtek and the Ministry of Equality and Inclusion reflects our commitment to a fairer and more prepared Mexico.”
The initiative is part of the strategy led by Martha Herrera, Minister of Equality and Inclusion, to foster partnerships between the private sector and local communities to achieve sustainable social impact. “Technology is not just a tool; it is a gateway to well-being and social mobility,” said Mauricio Canseco, Deputy Minister of Social Investment and Strategic Alliances. “Thanks to companies like DEACERO and Softtek, we are closing the digital gap and creating opportunities for equitable growth.”