By Samuel Peña Guzman
Foreign Investment Coodinator State of Nuevo Leon
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A few days ago I was talking with a businessman from a multinational company with headquarters in India and planning to start operations in the north region of Mexico. My attention was called to the level of academic instruction the population in India has, as well as their education models. Nowadays India has an education system based on technology industry and knowledge. The academic level in India is not only higher than ours, they have even adopted education models similar to those in developed countries with a huge success for their students and graduates.
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In the United States, for example, India has the largest number of work visas for professionals (H1-B ) in the world, including US three main trade partners all together (Canada, China and Mexico).
This is proof of how highly prepared professionals from India are, versus the education of Mexican immigrants resident in the USA.
You may wonder: How is this related to Mexico? The answer is simple: there are better models; especially there are better education models that have provided competitiveness to students and professionals. We could well apply these models in Mexico.
Mexico has academic levels way below the academic mean in developed countries, and even below some of our competitors, including China, South Korea and India. Still, in Mexico's north region academic levels are above the domestic mean - 6 years - in some cases even 2 or 3 years higher. These academic levels make a difference not only in the academic development of the states, but also in income per capita, development and competitiveness.
Many decisions on foreign investment projects in Mexico are based precisely on the academic level and qualified labor, among other factors. The higher academic level of some Mexican north states when compared to other states, mainly in the south, makes a difference on the type and sector of investment projects, as well as on the states' economic development.
The new knowledge-based economy calls for larger and better education programs, as well as a higher academic level, mainly in today's young professionals. Current globalization calls for (but does not force upon) a transformation from traditional manufacturing to "mind-nufaturing" providing larger value added that of course requires better academic and professional preparation from the economically active population, creating at the same time a "new" intellectual capital concept. Transformation of economy, as we have already mentioned, calls for better prepared students and professionals.
Education models, like India's, have something in common: the large investment made by their governments in education.
India is a rather young country that achieved independence less than 60 years ago - in 1947 - and faced illiteracy problems just like any country of recent creation. India's Government crucial policy was to consider education a priority long-term investment as motor and basis for development.
The first results were reflected in the increase in the number of students and professors registered in India. Nowadays, thanks to the education boom, India has, according to UNESCO data, the second largest academic system in the world.
Quality of higher education in India is exemplary and based on science and technology, thanks to the public policies adopted by the Indian Government more than 20 years ago. Emphasis has recently been made on the need to have scientific and technical research centers that bring with them new education models based on sectors that generate a high value added. Indian academic system has been used as a model to provide the abilities required by the societies located in developing countries.
Nowadays, India's Institutes of Technology have been of great help not only for the advancement and development of this country, but also the high levels of this education system have enhanced its reputation, mainly abroad, and have therefore provided new opportunities to students, in addition to being part of cooperation programs with organizations and universities, mainly from developed countries.
Unfortunately, Mexico has a strong education lag. Less than 22% of young people between 19 and 24 years of age have access to higher education. As an additional datum, in most developed countries the percentage is above 60%, not to mention Nordic countries, which rate is over 80%.
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As long as we are unable to increase the number of registered students and if we do not defeat - as it should be - or at least neutralize illiteracy in Mexico, it will be hard to achieve not only economic and education development, but also the social development required by Mexico. I am sure that the education model implemented in India less than 60 years ago could be a model for Mexico to adopt.
In view of the education lag and the lack of access to education for most young people and social strata in Mexico there is an urgent need to adopt education models that increase education levels and fight illiteracy and that also "feed" the intellectual capital we have. Only in this way we will achieve a real transformation and start walking the path that will lead us to modernity, as difficult as this may be.
Hector Samuel Peña LL.M, MPA Currently works as a Foreign Investment Coordinator for the State Government of Nuevo León, he has LLM Masters in Law from American University, Washington, College of Law, and a Masters in Public Administration from the George Washington University and has advised foreign companies who are expanding operations in to Mexico. He is also a professor at the State University of Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico and a Member of the Consejo Mexicano de Asuntos Internacionales COMEXI.
The point of view is strictly from the author and does not represent the vision on any of the author institutions relationships.
He can be reached at: samuel.pena@mexicoglobal.com
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