The Technological University of Puerto Peñasco (UTPP) is about ready to graduate its first class and looking forward to the future. On Tuesday, May 29th, school Director Rafael Mendívil Millán met with various local members of the press and invited upcoming high-school graduates to consider enrolling in one of UTPP’s professional programs which include studies in gastronomy, marketing in business, and a degree in paramedics. With just over 120 students expected to return for next year, the UTPP anticipates an additional 150 to 200 students to enroll for the 2012-13 cycle.
Mendívil Millán expressed his gratitude to the press in general, and particularly to online avenues, for covering activities at UTPP as it continues to grow. *As RockyPoint360 we were pleased to cover the UTPP mini-Iron Chef competition earlier this year* As a second point of the day, he remarked that as part of their larger campaigns, which have included radio spots and announcements during the Tiburones baseball games, they have been aggressively promoting the UTPP throughout area schools including the CETMAR, COBACH, and CONALEP as well as in the communities of Pitiquito, Altar, Caborca, Y, and even San Luis Rio Colorado though the latter also has a relatively new UT facility. Mendívil Millán specified that 90% of the students currently pre-registered for UTPP are from Peñasco. Pre-registration for the 2012-13 school year is open through July 6, with entrance exams set for Aug. 8, orientation courses from Aug. 20 – 31 and classes beginning Sept. 3.
As a third point, the UTPP Director was visibly pleased to report that many students from the UTPP have been successfully placed with businesses and organizations as they continue their studies. Students in the paramedic program, for example, have been placed at the General Hospital, with the Fire Department, as well as at the Red Cross. Those in business and gastronomy have been placed at area resorts, while others have been placed in spots including Ensenada, Los Cabos, Hermosillo, and Puerta Vallarta.
With a drive out to the UTPP facility, turn-off to which is across from the former airport along the Sonoyta-Peñasco highway, it is easy to see the tremendous amount of work being done on a second building for the institution. This building, which Mendívil Millán reports is about 42% complete though 8% ahead of schedule, will include 7 classrooms, a language lab, a computer lab, and an auditorium with capacity for 70, in addition to administrative offices and study cubicles for students.
Though gastronomy is currently the most popular area of study at the UTPP, a kitchen lab is not within current plans as students will continue to carry out their culinary practices at the neighboring ITSPP (Superior Technological Institute of Puerto Peñasco). The UTPP Director also indicated they are awaiting additional support and equipment for all of their programs, which will include an ambulance and possibly even a vehicle to provide accessible transportation for students to and from the school.
Another area of interest for students and community members alike are the language classes available at UTPP, which currently offers English and French. Future plans and proposals for degree programs include studies in Computer Systems as well as considerations to open a Mining degree, though these would need to go through feasibility studies and an approval process prior to implementation. In closing, Mendívil Millán, who was accompanied by Academic Director Emeterio Soto Espinoza and Director of University Relations Francisco Ureña Duarte, once again remarked upon the upcoming graduating class – who will be completing their studies in July – and extended an invitation for prospective students to visit and pre-register at the UTPP.
For more information about UTPP visit: utpp.edu.mx