Perceptions of the First Generation of Graduate Engineers in Sustainable Development, Mexico City Campus, on the Tec21 Educational Model

We are living in a time of constant change, where education faces great challenges, and it is necessary to train leaders who perform successfully in this complex and changing world. The purpose of this study was to gain insights into graduated students’ perceptions regarding the Tec21 Teaching Model of the new curriculum of the Tecnologico de Monterrey, implemented from August 2019. The Tec21 model changes the traditional teaching model to give way to training focused on learning based on challenges, which allows the formation of solid and integral skills in students. Switching to a competency-based model was not easy for students and teachers, and the first semester was chaotic. This model is made up of courses and blocks. Although this model is different from the content-based model, the indicators of Block I of the first semester (September 23 to October 27, 2019) showed that students of Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Development Engineering of Mexico City Campus did not perceive it as a model that could significantly impact their education. However, in Block II (November 4 to December 8, 2019), this perception changed, and the positive opinions of the students about the Tec21 educational model started to increase. The rejection rate of this new educational model decreased from 64.2% to 45.4%. At the end of their studies (June 2023), only 29.5% of the graduates said they would not recommend this educational model. The presence of external training partners was essential to change students’ perception.