Faculty of Economics, Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, Mexico

Correspondence: A. Mungaray-Lagarda, E-mail address: mungaray@uabc.mx.

Abstract

Mexico has faced deep economic and social changes over the last decade. Higher education institutions have been reacting to these changes by emphasising high cost models of quality and low less than rates. However, social problems in national life, suggest that the XXI century challenge for Mexican higher education institutions, goes beyond the present day achievements. Low cost and high quality coverage processes of engineering to improve institutional efficiency through greater linkages with local economic and social development is proposed. This may improve social returns of higher education to society.