Higher Education in Regional and City Development: Paso del Norte, Mexico and the United States 2010

This publication explores a range of helpful policy measures and institutional reforms to mobilise higher education for regional development. It is part of the series of the OECD Reviews that analyse how the higher education system impacts upon regional and local development and bring together universities and other HEIs and public and private agencies to identify strategic goals and to work towards them.


The Paso del Norte Region is the largest metropolitan area on the US-Mexican border, with Ciudad Juárez as a major manufacturing centre. However, the economic performance on both sides of the border region is below the OECD average. The long-term competitiveness of the region is under threat due to ongoing violence, brain drain and environmental degradation.

Table of contents
Foreword
List of acronyms
Assessment and recommendations
Chapter 1: Paso del Norte region − national and regional contexts
Introduction
1.1 The Paso del Norte Region
1.2 Higher education
1.3 Higher education attainment
1.4 Higher education in the Paso del Norte Region
1.5 Higher education and regional development in Paso del Norte
Annex 1.1. US and Mexico higher education systems
References
Chapter 2: Contribution of HE to human capital development
Introduction
2.1 Industrial make-up and human capital development needs
2.2 Sub-regional challenges and achievements
2.3 Entrepreneurship in higher education institutions
Conclusions and recommendations
Annex 2.1: Entrepreneurship teaching approaches
References
Chapter 3: Contribution of HEIS to regional innovation
Introduction
3.1 Policy framework and regional actors in the United States and Mexico
3.2 The Paso del Norte Region: a peripheral and old industrial region
3.3 Responding to regional needs and demands
3.4 Engagement with clusters and industrial sectors
Conclusions and recommendations
Annex 3.1: Measuring regional entrepreneurial activity
Chapter 4: Contribution to environment, health and social development
Introduction
4.1 Environmental sustainability
4.2 Paso del Norte HEIs’ contributing to border health
4.3 Community engagement and service
Conclusions and recommendations
Annex 1: Review team members
Annex 2: Programme of the review visit