Finland has gained recognition for its education system in nations around the world and is a valued player in the global education industry. Finland exports education projects mainly from universities to emerging economies.

Education Export Initiative in Querétaro

In the mid-decade of 2010, Haaga-Helia started conversations with Universidad Mondragón, a university located in the capital city of Querétaro de Arteaga in Mexico. Nowadays, Mondragón University Mexico is offering bachelor’s degree programs (full-time and blended), as well as post-graduate studies, master’s, and PhD programs. This Mexican university belongs to a selective group of private universities with the highest level in Mexico certified by the Federation of Mexican Private Institutions of Higher Education.

After a long period of preparation, Haaga-Helia and Mondragón decided to launch a cooperation program in the autumn of 2017. An initial cohort of 15 students dared to bet on their higher education future with this innovative program. The project is so far the biggest in education export by Haaga-Helia.

Why was this decision taken by Haaga-Helia? What called the attention of the project planners to start this cooperation in Querétaro?

A hidden gem in the middle of Mexico

Querétaro is a city located a relatively short distance from the capital, Mexico City. This offers numerous advantages for economic growth. For instance, the location provides easier access to huge corporations, domestic and international, in the capital region and close communication with governmental institutions. Both sectors boost investment and job creation in Querétaro. Efficient transportation enables businesses to transport goods more easily to the biggest trade partners United States, Europe, and China.

In a nutshell, there are 4 important ports within a 650-kilometer radius to access the North American Market, 940 kilometers of a highway to the United States, and an intercontinental airport with the third-largest landing strip in Mexico that connects to the US with 7 commercial airlines and 7 cargo airlines.

The economy is reliable with the second largest GDP in Mexico between 2011 and 2019, with 11.8 USD produced per capita per hour while the national average is 8.2. The GDP distribution of Querétaro is divided almost 50-50 in secondary and tertiary activities. Also, there are 53 R&D centers and no labor strikes in the past 26 years, which highlights the stability in the region.

The state has an average population age of 29 years, with 1.5 million economically active people.

Results on choosing Querétaro as Haaga-Helia’s destination

Querétaro’s strategic location, reliable economy, and stable environment make it an attractive environment for Haaga-Helia students graduating there to develop their careers. Alumni like Melany Flores, part of tactical sourcing support at MARS Co., Fernanda Muñoz, total reward analyst in Alstom, and Ricardo Barreira the Latin America foreign trade supervisor for Kellogg’s Co. working in Querétaro represent the development and crucial opportunities for our students in the industry in important companies that bring economic development to the city.

Haaga-Helia aims to keep this degree programme running for a longer period by creating alliances to enhance the employability and constant learning of the students. The aim is to produce well-prepared professionals ready for an economy that needs their skills and international experience. This region represents a vital link for our students to connect their studies to the industry that Querétaro needs for the growth of the country.

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