Research and Technology Innovation Park, Mexico “Research Summer at PIIT"
Impactful internships for higher education students, fostering STEM career interests and integrating prospective researchers into the workforce. This program, engaging 300+ participants across five editions, enhances R&D centres' capabilities while cultivating essential skills and facilitating new academic partnerships.
Purpose of the solution
This project aims to facilitate the seamless integration of prospective researchers into the workforce, fostering a greater number of professionals in the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) sector, both as researchers or support personnel. Summer at PIIT cultivates human capital by providing a conducive environment for the development of essential skills and research capabilities. These include scientific and systemic thinking, technological literacy, and even communication skills such as reading and writing. Furthermore, it serves as a catalyst for nurturing interest in STEM careers.
By offering students first-hand exposure to the inner workings of laboratories and R&D centres, they are empowered to actively contribute to the advancement of scientific endeavours. Moreover, witnessing tangible applications of their academic knowledge reinforces their passion for STEM disciplines. Additionally, our initiative bolsters the capabilities of R&D centres by equipping them with a pipeline of skilled future collaborators, tailored to the evolving demands of industry and sector-specific requirements. Finally, by facilitating interactions between students from diverse academic backgrounds and universities, our program fosters a collaborative environment ripe for forging new academic partnerships. These collaborations extend beyond the confines of the program, potentially giving rise to joint projects, publications, and other mutually beneficial research endeavours.
Impact
Across five editions, our project has engaged 305 participants (43% women) in 20 R&D centers (57% of the R&D centers located within the park). Notably, several students secured long-term positions or internships in the same R&D centers where they participated. Moreover, a significant number of participants expressed how the project influenced their decision to pursue research careers or postgraduate studies.
According to exit surveys, more than 80% of participants expressed a desire to pursue graduate programs, with over 45% of them making this decision solely after participating in the project. Additionally, around 55% of student participants expressed an aspiration to become researchers, with almost 60% of them solidifying this ambition after their involvement in Summer at PIIT.
The project's success has led to fruitful collaborations with other institutions. For example, Tec de Monterrey University, housing an R&D center within PIIT, generously covers housing and living expenses for out-of-state students. Also, the Center for Research in Mathematics strategically schedules its week-long summer program to align with ours, enabling its participants to engage in Summer at PIIT activities, thereby enriching their experience and networking opportunities.
What is innovative about it?
While there are similar initiatives in the country, this project stands out as the sole endeavour focused specifically on research centres within a research park. What sets it apart is not only its exclusive focus on these centres but also the comprehensive nature of its activities. Participants engage in full-time immersion, simulating the experience of working within the research centre itself. In addition to hands-on activities, the program prepares a series of talks, workshops, and conferences tailored to the participants' interests. These sessions cover topics such as research dissemination, promotion of current calls for participation, intellectual property rights, and more. This holistic approach ensures that participants not only gain practical experience but also acquire valuable knowledge and skills relevant to their academic and professional pursuits.
Who are the main users?
Higher education students from all the country, and R&D centres both private and public within the park.
Who runs it?
The Institute of Innovation and Technology Transfer of Nuevo Leon, I2T2, which manages the PIIT.