For Spanish An impressive new edifice has blossomed like a rose in the desert north of
Puerto Peñasco. Named Institutio Technologico Superior de Puerto Peñasco,
it is a college supported by the state and the federal government. The federal
government provides the buildings and equipment; the state government hires
the personnel.
The building can be seen from the highway and reached by a road leading east
just north of the Pemex gas station on the outskirts of the city. It is an impressive
structure, tan in color with burgundy red trim. Paths and walkways are decorated
with stone mosiac inlays, and the grounds are handsomely landscaped. This is
only the first building. Plans are to have 8 eventually, but for now classrooms,
labs, administration, and teachers' offices are all housed in this building.
According to Arnulfo Villavincencio, the General Director of the school (whom
we would call the Principal or Dean), the college is one of 86 like this in
Mexico dedicated to the education of students who are competent in modern technology.
There are another 84 similar institutions throughout Mexico, ready to meet the
challenges of the 21st century.
Sr. Villavincencio told us that there are currently 243 students enrolled in
the college and 17 teachers on the staff. There are 2 courses of study, one
leading to a bachelor's degree in administration with focus on tourism, the
other to a degree in industrial engineering. The emphasis in the second course
is on dealing with equipment such as pumps, air conditioning, and computers--operating,
managing, repair, and sales. Supporting coursework in subjects like math, physics,
and hydrology is required. Both courses take from 4 to 4 1/2 years. Two years
from now another course of study will be made available, this one in computer
systems engineering.
The projection for the future is that in the year 2002-2003 there will be 396
students; in 2003-2004, 556 students; in 2004-2005, 663 students; and in 2005-2006,
766 students. When the students come, more funding will be available from the
state and federal governments. Hence the motto with its double meaning is "Students
first."
The students are recruited from all over. The present group includes young people
from Cananea, Magdalena, San Luis, Hermosillo, Guaymas, Mexicali, and some from
as far away as Guadalajara and Mazatlan. Any student who brings in 20 other
students will get free tuition. Students have to be Cobach graduates (short
for Colegio de Bachilleres), which is equivalent to high school in the U.S.
They also have to pass several tests for admission, thus insuring a high standard
of excellence.
The college's curriculum is established by the federal government, but it can
be adapted to fit local needs by the Board of Directors. The 17 faculty members
include a librarian, an accountant, administrators, and civil, industrial, and
systems engineers. The Sub-Director (whom we would call the Vice-Principal or
Associate Dean) is Alberto Machado. We were interested to learn that he is a
former teacher of Romeo Torres, our Puerto Peñasco office manager and
real estate agent. When Sr. Machado said he had taught Romeo Oceanography and
Fishing at ITMAR, we told him Romeo was now casting for other fish in real estate.
We were taken on a tour of the institution. It is as impressive inside as out.
The halls are wide; the classrooms are spacious and attractive; and the library
is furnished with computers as well as books. In addition, there is a computer
lab.
The Director, Arnulfo Villavincencio, was born in Cananea and went through primary,
secondary, and preparatory schools there. He received a degree in Agronomical
Engineering from the University of Sonora and then studied at the University
in Guadalajara. He worked as a civil engineer for 20 years. During that time
he went to Israel, where he studied micro-irrigation systems. In 1976-77 he
was in Tucson at the University of Arizona where he studied English as a Second
Language.
Arnulfo has always been interested in education and likes young people, so he
took courses in educational administration and eventually ended up as the Director
of this institution. He told us his most recent interest is Indians of Sonora;
he has learned a lot about the Maya, Tarahumara, Tohono O'odham, and others.
His wide range of educational experience indicates that he loves learning for
its own sake. This is a man who exemplifies Chaucer's description: "gladly
would he learn and gladly teach." What better qualification for the head
of an educational institution? And what better enhancement for the community
than this new college?
