Cancun, Quintana Roo — The University of Technology of Cancun (UT Cancun) has suspended its Associate Degree in Naval Maintenance, a decision that has alarmed the maritime industry in Quintana Roo.
Business leaders warn the move threatens the supply of specialized labor for the region’s expanding tourism and commercial maritime sector.
Francisco Fernández Millar, president of the Nautical Associates of Quintana Roo (ANQR), formally expressed regret over the university’s decision to drop the program from its upcoming academic cycle. According to the nautical guild, the cancellation halts a strategic project born from a partnership between private industry and academia.
Fernández Millar said problems began after a change in university leadership. “This program was created under the previous administration, and when the current rector, Enrique Baños Abedun de Lima, took over, ties with the association were lost. We never received information about when graduates would be available, so we couldn’t connect them with job opportunities,” he stated.
The lack of communication has left previous investments by business owners in limbo. The ANQR had supported the project from its inception by donating engines, industrial tools, and specialized maritime equipment for student workshops.
Rocío Arceo Díaz, director of the Engineering and Technology Division at UT Cancun, explained that the decision was driven by declining enrollment and difficulty hiring qualified naval instructors. She noted that previous graduates are fully employed in marinas and related companies, demonstrating the program’s relevance.
The ANQR plans to seek renewed dialogue with the rector to rescue the program and prevent donated infrastructure from going unused.
