Prepanet: 20 Years of Transforming Lives Through Online Education
Prepanet, the online education program of the Tec de Monterrey, has already graduated over 6,500 students in its 20 years of existence. This program was created to provide education to individuals who, due to economic, physical, or social reasons, have not been able to complete their high school education. Carlos Bejos, the Director of Digital Inclusion at Tec, emphasized during the 20th-anniversary ceremony that the impact of the program should be measured by the number of individuals it has interacted with and influenced.
Established in 2004, Prepanet is an initiative by Tec de Monterrey aimed at bridging the inequality gap in the country by offering online high school education to those who aspire to continue their studies. Currently, Prepanet has 2,000 enrolled students, 1,915 tutors providing social service and support to the students, and 6,500 graduates.
Prepanet: A Path of Innovation
Prepanet began as a pioneering initiative to provide the population with the option to pursue high school education through an online model. Felisa González, the Director of the Center for the Recognition of Human Dignity at Tec, highlighted the groundbreaking nature of the program when it was launched in 2004. Inés Sáenz Negrete, the Vice President of Inclusion, Social Impact, and Sustainability at the institution, acknowledged the visionaries who conceived this innovative initiative to expand access to education.
Pablo Ayala, the Director of Social Impact at Tec, emphasized that the digital format of the program makes Prepanet an innovative project accessible to diverse audiences, transforming realities with just a click. The opportunities that arise from this program enable individuals to become examples not only within their homes but also in their communities.
From Prepanet to Leaders of Tomorrow
Luis Felipe Marino is one of the many young individuals in the country who saw Prepanet as a transformative opportunity. With a scholarship from Tec in collaboration with Lumen Vitae A.C, he became one of the 6,500 graduates of the program. After completing Prepanet with honors, Marino applied for the Leaders of Tomorrow scholarship at Tec de Monterrey.
Since 2021, Luis has been one of the 2,141 Leaders of Tomorrow at Tec, on the verge of completing his professional career as an Industrial Physics Engineer. He expressed how programs like Prepanet allow individuals to dream beyond what may seem unattainable at times. Additionally, there are 22 other Leaders of Tomorrow who are also Prepanet graduates, showcasing the program’s significant impact on producing future leaders.
The Leaders of Tomorrow program provides a 100% scholarship to students with academic excellence and a commitment to making a positive impact in their communities through social initiatives. The high number of Prepanet graduates who have become Leaders of Tomorrow reflects the program’s success in nurturing talent and fostering leadership.
Service in Prepanet
Within Prepanet, tutors play a crucial role in shaping the education of online high school students. Marina Sandoval, who has been part of the program for a decade, initially joined Prepanet in 2013 as a Tec student looking to fulfill her social service requirement. She now serves as the Coordinator of Social Service Transversality, emphasizing the passion for service that Prepanet has instilled in her.
Aurora Hernández, a collaborator at Tec campus Monterrey and a Prepanet graduate, was one of the students supported by Sandoval during her online high school studies. For Hernández, Prepanet is a platform that helped her achieve her dream of completing high school, enabling her to pursue her professional career at Tecmilenio.
Prepanet’s curriculum focuses on developing competencies, with educational content designed by Tec de Monterrey professors and delivered through an innovative online platform. Tutors provide guidance to students throughout their learning journey. Upon completion of the program, students receive recognition from the Ministry of Education, as well as a high school diploma from Tec de Monterrey and Prepanet.
Prepanet has proven to be a transformative force in the lives of thousands of individuals, breaking barriers and opening doors to education and opportunities. As it celebrates its 20th anniversary, the program continues to empower students, nurture leaders, and drive social impact, embodying the spirit of innovation and inclusion at Tec de Monterrey.