In 2022, as part of the Principal's International Strategic Partnerships (IPN), Queen Mary and the Polytechnic Foundation of Mexico signed an innovative, leading agreement. To strengthen the ties between both institutions, Professor Colin Bailey, President and Principal of Queen Mary University of London, Dr Philippa Lloyd, Vice-Principal for Policy and Strategic Partnerships and Professor Teresa Alonso Rasgado, warmly welcomed the President of the Polytechnic Foundation, Mr Jesús Padilla Zenteno and senior members of his team, including Mr Marco Herver, the Foundation's Technical Director, to Queen Mary.
Speaking during the visit, Professor Bailey stated that IPN represents a key strategic partnership for the university. Professor Bailey thanked the Polytechnic Foundation for their support and highlighted how the vision and mission of the National Polytechnic Institute is closely aligned with that of Queen Mary.
The Queen Mary University of London-Polytechnic Foundation agreement includes 18 initiatives that benefit students and academic staff from both institutions including fully funded postgraduate programme studies, dual postgraduate degrees, joint seeded research projects, intensive "sandpit" workshops, CPD courses, academic visits, and sabbaticals, in addition to the setting up of an IPN office on Queen Mary's London campus that will function as a hub for international partnership and innovation and form the centre for current and new, novel initiatives included in the agreement. This hub will serve to develop innovative projects involving UK and Mexican industry, projects that will play an important part in addressing the needs of British and Mexican societies.
During the visit, Professor Bailey hosted a lunch for the visitors from the Polytechnic Foundation and students from the first cohort of IPN students currently studying at Queen Mary, at which Mr Padilla Zenteno and his team had the opportunity to talk to the students and hear about their overwhelmingly positive experience of studying at Queen Mary and life in London. In addition, both Professor Bailey and Mr Padilla Zenteno shared their experiences and insights obtained during the development of their professional careers. After lunch, the delegation from the Polytechnic Foundation were given a tour of the Mile End campus and facilities. The visit ended with a discussion regarding potential measures that could be taken to strengthen the ties between the two institutions even further.
Professor Bailey would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Polytechnic Foundation on its 27 year anniversary, to its president Jesus Padilla Zenteno and his team for all their hard work which represents years of continuous effort supporting the National Polytechnic Institute.
Information on how to apply for a IPN Scholarship is available on IPN's website.
Further information on our International Strategic Partnerships.
