ITESO and DIF Jalisco strengthen ties

ITESO Editorial Team

For more than a decade, ITESO and the System for the Integral Development of the Family (DIF) have worked together in a high-impact inter-institutional relationship that has benefited the residents of Zapopan and Guadalajara. Now, this relationship “enters a new stage to generate projects for the people of Jalisco who need them most,” said Diana Vargas Salomón, director of DIF Jalisco, during the signing of the agreement through which the state agency and this university have strengthened their ties.

The formal signing ceremony was led by Alexander Zatyrka, SJ, rector of ITESO, and Maye Villa de Lemus, president of DIF Jalisco. Also present from the university were Catalina Morfín, head of the Academic Directorate, and Rebeca Acevez Muñoz, director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Training and Social Engagement (CIFOVIS).

The Rector of ITESO said that the agreement is a reaffirmation "of the commitment of two institutions that believe in the dignity of the person, the power of education and the shared responsibility of building a more just, more humane and more supportive society."

She mentioned that thanks to joint projects, students “have the opportunity not only to put their knowledge into practice, but also to directly experience the reality of those who live in vulnerable and excluded conditions.” This is relevant because, she added, “at ITESO we believe that professional training cannot be separated from ethical, human, and social development.”

He also highlighted that there are similarities with the DIF's mission to work on the integral development of families and communities, so the collaboration between both institutions is a transformative experience that occurs "in a logic of cooperation, mutual learning, recognition of different but complementary knowledge and experiences."

Zatyrka Pacheco concluded by saying that while signing an agreement “is a legal act, it is also a profoundly human act: it is deciding to walk side by side, trusting that this shared path can make a difference in the lives of many people. Thank you for making it possible.”

The president of DIF Jalisco said that more than just the signing of an agreement, the ceremony represented “a joint commitment, a shared will, and a vision for a more just, humane, and supportive future for Jalisco.” She added that “a university spirit—critical and committed—is a pillar for social transformation.” The agreement will allow them to “expand our programs, combine resources, and make the care we provide to people, especially the most vulnerable, a truly comprehensive effort.”

He also stated that the agreement will be a way “for ITESO students to experience firsthand the realities of many families in Jalisco and help us build creative, ethical, and sustainable solutions. Together, we are sowing seeds that will bear fruit for every child, senior citizen, person with a disability, and family in our communities.” He concluded by expressing his hope that the collaboration will be lasting, profound, and generous.

The director of Cifovis stated that, more than just a document, the agreement “is a shared commitment between two institutions dedicated to social welfare and human development.” She mentioned that the agreement lays the groundwork for inter-institutional cooperation and strengthens the work carried out through professional internships, traditional community service, and, specifically, the Professional Application Projects (PAP) at ITESO. The transdisciplinary nature of the PAPs, Acevez Muñoz pointed out, “demands close and specific collaboration, not only to work with DIF Jalisco, but also to establish bridges and spaces for jointly defining the most pressing problems and solutions in the areas where DIF and ITESO's academic work are present, in order to co-create better futures.”

Vargas Salomón stated that the new agreement is “a continuation of the collaborative work we have been carrying out, and that, hand in hand with ITESO, the team that now leads DIF Jalisco has been able to implement high-impact projects benefiting vulnerable communities in the municipalities of Zapopan and Guadalajara.” The official listed some of the projects, such as the Kokone Center, the Tapatía Lúdica Children's Center, projects aimed at senior citizens, and other projects with child and adolescent protection agencies. She highlighted the work done with the iconic Polanco Center, as well as the DIF events held at the ITESO campus.