# Universidad Politécnica de Baja California

The Polytechnic University of Baja California (Spanish: Universidad Politécnica de Baja California, UPBC) is a public institution of higher education in Baja California. Established in 2006, UPBC is located in the city of Mexicali. It operates as a decentralized body of the State of Baja California, with its own legal status and assets. The university was created by an executive decree on January 9, 2006, which was officially published on January 13, 2006, in the Mexicali official journal.
As a public institution of the State Government, its mission is to provide higher education at the levels of associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, technological specializations, and postgraduate studies, in addition to offering continuing education courses in various formats. UPBC’s academic programs primarily focus on engineering disciplines, tailored to meet the technological and industrial demands of the region. The university contributes to societal development and progress through three core areas: teaching, research, and community outreach.
Academic activities began on May 29, 2006, at a borrowed facility located at 291 Calle de la Industria, Colonia Industrial, with an initial enrollment of 35 students.
Currently, the campus is situated at Av. Claridad S/N, Colonia Plutarco Elías Calles. The facilities include two academic buildings, a workshop and laboratory building, a library, and a third building under construction. The campus has the capacity to accommodate up to 2,000 students across two shifts.

## History

The Polytechnic University of Baja California was established as a decentralized body of the State of Baja California through an executive decree signed on January 9, 2006, and published on January 13, 2006, in the Official Journal of the State of Baja California. Subsequently, it began operations on May 29, 2006, in temporary facilities located in Colonia Industrial, Mexicali, provided by the Instituto de Servicios Educativos y Pedagógicos (ISEP). These facilities were adapted and equipped with six classrooms, two computer laboratories, and a multipurpose room to commence academic activities. During this initial period, the institution offered educational programs in Manufacturing Technology Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, and Information Technology Engineering, focusing on training professionals in key areas for the technological and productive development of the region.
With support from the regulatory agencies for public investment and those responsible for constructing educational infrastructure in the state, the necessary funds for developing the first academic building on the new campus were approved. A master construction plan was created, defining the strategic location of the building. Classes in this new facility began on October 29, 2007.
On June 20, 2007, the Selection Jury, composed of university representatives, members of the Board of Directors, and members of society, unanimously selected the institutional logo designed by Marco Antonio Manríquez Curiel. This logo symbolizes the universality of knowledge through a book, technology represented by an electronic circuit, and the Baja California Peninsula, identifying the institution and its regional context.
In 2008, the university expanded further with the approval of resources for constructing a new building for laboratories and workshops, designed to meet the needs of practical and advanced training. Construction was completed in July 2009, enhancing the institution's capacity to accommodate a growing student body and modernize its academic programs.
In 2010, the Polytechnic University of Baja California achieved a significant milestone by obtaining official registration from the Secretariat of Public Education (Spanish: Secretaría de Educación Pública, SEP) as a quality institution in higher technological education. This marked an important recognition of the collective effort of the university community, which has maintained a focus on academic excellence, innovation, and a commitment to regional development.
Subsequently, academic efforts and the quality of services provided to the growing student body justified the need for a second academic building before the SEP and the State Government. This project was completed in September 2010, consolidating the infrastructure necessary to meet the university’s educational and institutional development goals.

## Programs

The university's educational model includes both bachelor's degree programs and associate degree programs, designed to meet the demands of the labor market and address current technological challenges. Most of these programs focus on engineering fields, reflecting the institution's commitment to training professionals in technical and specialized areas.

### Associate Degrees

* Manufacturing Processes
* Turbo-Solar Energy
* Audiovisual Production and 2D Animation
* Multiplatform Software Development
* Automation
* Human Capital Management

### Bachelor's Degrees

* Advanced Manufacturing Engineering
* Energy and Sustainable Development Engineering
* Animation and Visual Effects Engineering
* Information Technologies and Digital Innovation Engineering
* Mechatronics Engineering
* Business Administration

## Rectors

The rectors of the Polytechnic University of Baja California since its founding in 2006:
* Moises Rivas López (2006–2010)
* Navor Rosas González (2010–2014)
* Juan Jesús Algrévez Uranga (2014–2019)
* Jesús Esteban Castro Rojas (2020–2022)
* Marcela Barreras Hernández (2022–present)