UANL alumni at the Royal Academy of Engineering

Elena Rodríguez

Elena Rodríguez was invited to be part of this prestigious British Academy. She is focused on educating engineers with the aim of helping students become more capable, innovative, and responsive to social and global needs.

Elena Rodriguez is considered one of the most innovative leaders in the area of engineering education. In addition, after four decades she managed to establish an institution of higher engineering education in the United Kingdom; these were some of the projects that led her to become a member of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

“To be a member of this academy is something I take with great honor and pride. I did some research and found out that there is another Mexican woman who was elected last year, but not representing the United Kingdom, but as an international fellow, because she is based in the United States. Her name is Aleida Ríos, and she is the vice president of the engineering area of British Petroleum, so I am the second Mexican with this appointment, but here in the United Kingdom I am the first Mexican,” she said.

For 2022, the Royal Academy of Engineering chose 72 outstanding engineering and technology leaders. Each of these has made contributions to their own sector or pioneered innovations, led progress in business or academia, provided high-level advice for the government, and promoted a broader appreciation of the two aforementioned areas.

“As for myself, I consider that they saw my profile as an engineer, particularly in the area of education, since my work for the last 25 years has been to look for ways to educate engineers in such a way that they are more capable, innovative and attentive to social and global needs”, said Elena.

Risks must be taken
25 years ago, the UANL graduate, Elena Rodríguez, moved to the United Kingdom, where she had to adapt to a culture and language that at first was not easy to master.

However, for Rodriguez Falcon, her courage and boldness were decisive to start this professional adventure in Europe and succeed in what she has achieved over these years.

“Risk-taking is one thing we normally try to avoid for fear of getting wrong, but the only way to innovate is to seek to do things differently and inevitable we could be wrong sometimes,” she said.

“I would like to tell everyone that we must take risks, especially as Mexicans can do things and we shouldn’t be afraid to look for new challenges. Working hard and doing things with passion and dedication has helped me”.

Elena María Rodríguez Falcón