Dr. Luis Ernesto Derbez Bautista, rector of the Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP), presented his 2025-2026 activities report, highlighting the main advances the academic institution made this year in the strategic axes of academic prestige, institutional positioning, linkage with society and companies, financial stability, and organizational strengthening. Before the members of the Academic Council, the Administrative Council, the Business Council, as well as the university community, gathered in the Great Hall 1 and 2 of the recently renovated third floor of the Library, Dr. Derbez affirmed that “the results obtained during the 2025-2026 period allow us to be optimistic about our future” and highlighted that the Universidad de las Américas Puebla is “the only university that integrates in its identity the cultural legacies of Mesoamerica and Europe,” becoming an educational bridge between the nations of America. Likewise, after summarizing all the achievements the institution obtained during the 2025-2026 period, the rector of UDLAP concluded his report by highlighting that, with the strategic axes, lines of action, and key actions aimed at strengthening its academic, social, and institutional impact in a dynamic and competitive global environment, the Universidad de las Américas Puebla projects itself towards the future as an innovative, humanistic, and socially responsible institution, capable of forming graduates with critical thinking, ethics, and a global vocation, and consolidating itself as an academic benchmark in Mexico and Latin America. At the same time, they reaffirm their leadership as one of the main private universities in Mexico and consolidate their academic community as a benchmark in the training of high-level professionals, as well as in their contribution to the social, cultural, and economic development of the country. “Do not doubt it, we are a solid and prestigious institution,” Dr. Luis Ernesto Derbez Bautista firmly emphasized.
Academic Prestige The academic prestige of the Universidad de las Américas Puebla is the result of an integral institutional vision that articulates teaching excellence, research with impact, educational innovation, and a high-quality student experience. The main results in this area were: Academic faculty with high levels of professional training: 99% of its teaching staff has postgraduate studies, 80% with a terminal degree. An 11% increase in enrollment with 3,078 new students, young people who, with the comprehensive training they receive at UDLAP, transform from students to graduates of excellence. 51% of the full-time academic faculty belongs to the National System of Researchers (SNII).
Institutional Prestige UDLAP consolidated its institutional prestige through a combined articulation of academic excellence, cultural leadership, high-level sports performance, and a sustained presence in rankings, accreditations, and spaces for national and international projection. Some of the achievements that strengthened UDLAP's positioning as one of the best private universities in Mexico were: The reaccreditation of the institution before SACSCOC without recommendations, at level VI, for the period 2025-2035, which placed the institution within the top 20% of universities evaluated in the United States. The consolidation of UDLAP's academic leadership by occupying the top places in national and international rankings, such as El Universal, which positioned the educational institution as the “Best private university in Mexico”; or that, for the sixth consecutive year, UDLAP was classified among the best universities in the world in Business & Management Studies, from the QS World University Rankings by Subject. In the cultural and sports areas, the University held 138 artistic presentations with more than 47,000 attendees, and strengthened its Art Collection with 735 pieces, 95% of which are on display. Likewise, it celebrated the three-peat of its athletics teams in the CONADEIP.
Linkage with Society and Companies Through alliances, the University sustainably strengthened its linkage with society and companies as a key component of its institutional work and external projection. It maintains relations with more than 300 allied organizations, which benefited more than 3,500 students and graduates through professional practice, employability, volunteering, and academic linkage programs. For the first time, the UDLAP National Short Story Prize was held, which received 632 texts from Mexico, the United States, and Europe. 76 activities were held, including workshops, conferences, and forums, aimed at promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion, with an attendance of 2,697 people.
Financial Stability Financial stability was strengthened from a responsible management of resources and the increase of income, which allowed to ensure institutional sustainability and the continuity of operations. More than $988 million pesos in scholarships granted to students. New laboratories and specialized centers were launched where students transform their knowledge into practical actions: Zona Maker, Digital Maker Space, Stop Motion Laboratory, Audio Laboratory, Psychological Interactions Laboratory, the Center for Economic Analysis and Investment Strategies, Dolby Atmos Laboratory. 3,200 m² of the library were renovated to offer its community innovative learning environments designed from the current needs of students and with the objective of strengthening their learning experience.
Organizational Capital UDLAP comprehensively strengthened its organizational capital as a strategic component that sustains the fulfillment of its academic mission, institutional quality, and long-term sustainability, elements that led the institution to advance towards a more articulated, efficient, and results-oriented management model. The development of human talent was strengthened through training, updating, and skills development programs aimed at consolidating a more prepared, professional, and committed community. Actions were promoted aimed at strengthening an inclusive and respectful organizational culture. The results presented by Dr. Luis Ernesto Derbez Bautista, rector of the Universidad de las Américas Puebla, in his 2025-2026 Report, reflect the institutional solidity and the permanent commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and linkage with society.
