April 2, 2009 – Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico…[Libna Stevens/IAD Staff]
Montemorelos University, an institution owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Inter-America, inaugurated its newest and only extension campus last week during a special ceremony. The new campus, located in Villahermosa, Tabasco in southern Mexico, will offer two undergraduate degrees in international marketing as well as degrees in finance and accounting.
Governor of the State of Tabasco Andres Granier Melo spoke during the ceremony and praised the Adventist university and church leaders for its national commitment to education.
“Montemorelos University is an institution of high level education representing a new and solid alternative to professionals studies for the youth in Tabasco,” the governor said.
Ismael Castillo, president of Montemorelos University, thanked the governor for his support in the opening of the new campus and highlighted the work of the Adventist Church in educating young people to put in practice their moral values and follow God.
The new three-story campus building contains six classrooms, a computer lab and a small auditorium. It will allow dozens of local students to pursue their education in an Adventist environment without having to travel 1,500 kilometers to the Montemorelos in north Mexico. The new extension will also give students the opportunity for evangelizing in Tabasco, Castillo said.
University leaders expect some 80 students to enroll at the new campus for the 2009-2010 school year.
Regional church leaders are excited about what the institution will mean to their territory.
“For years, the Adventist community and the population in Villahermosa needed this [new campus], and it has finally become a reality,” said Raul Lozano, education director for the church in South Mexico. He said there has been an Adventist presence in Villahermosa for more than 60 years.
Decades ago, Montemorelos University had extension campuses in Navojoa, Sonora in North Mexico, and in Linda Vista, Chiapas in South Mexico. They are now operating independently of Montemorelos. Castillo said it is possible that the extension in Tabasco may one day be independent.
“I think that eventually there could be an institution established in Tabasco, but I believe that leaders will see the importance of keeping it as a campus and strengthen its educational system around Montemorelos University, since we are an institution accredited by several national agencies, besides the Adventist Accrediting Association,” he said.
The new campus will begin its 2009-2010 school year in a few months under the direction of Jose L. Mendez Zetina. Mendez has more than 30 years of experience in Adventist education, ranging from teacher, principal, assistant academic dean, and conference education director.
To find out more about Montemorelos University and its graduate and undergraduate programs, visit www.um.edu.mx
