Higher Education in Engineering, Manufacturing, and Construction: According to the National Association of Universities and Institutions of Higher Education (ANUIES, 2021), in the 2020-2021 academic year, the proportion of engineering, manufacturing, and construction students that were women seems to increase at each level of education. For instance, while 32.2% of admitted students and 31.5% of students with university and technology degrees (Bachelor’s degree equivalent) and certified licenses were women, 34.3% of admitted students and 37.1% of students with doctoral degrees and certified licenses were women.
Admitted Students to University and Technology Degree (Undergraduate) Programs: Although the representation of women in Mexico’s engineering undergraduate programs remains low, their representation varies from 11.5% to 57.2% across different engineering fields at the university and technology degree (Bachelor’s degree equivalent) level. Specifically, in the 2020-2021 academic year, the fields of engineering with the most women admitted to their programs were industrial engineering (17,957), chemical process engineering (8,076), and electronics, automation, and mechanical-electrical applications (4,892). However, in this latter field, women comprise only about 14.1% of admitted students, which is one of the fields with low female representation along with automotive, naval, and aeronautical engineering (11.5%) and computer science and computer engineering (18%). Still, women have achieved parity in the field of environmental engineering (environmental protection programs) where they comprise 57.2% of admitted students as well as in chemical process engineering where they comprise 52% of admitted students.
Graduating and Certified Students with University and Technology (Undergraduate) Degrees: While low female representation among Mexican students who eventually graduate and get certified with a university and technology degree remains about the same for most engineering fields, there are certain fields in which a lower female representation is observed among those who are certified despite graduating from their respective engineering programs. For example, about 27% of students who graduate from electrical, renewable energy, and electrical engineering are women, only about 22.6% of students who attain certification are women. Still, a reverse pattern is observed in automotive, naval, and aeronautical engineering where women comprise about 9% of graduates but comprise slightly more than 11% of those who get certified.
Additional Resources
- Asociación Nacional de Universidades e Instituciones de Educación Superior. (ANUIES). 2021. Anuario Estadistico de la Poblacion Escolar en Educacion Superior, 2020-2021.
