Sometimes I wonder about the capacity of Mexico to compete in a technological world. Monterrey Tech is the country's premier engineering school, but is it a match for the Swiss Institute of Technology? The Massachusetts Institute of Technology? The India Institute of Technology—a school that graduates hundreds of software and chip designers every year?
When I stumbled upon the Escuela Nacional de Ingenieros I was intrigued, particularly since the building was said to contain a museum.
Housed in an imposing Greek Revival building directly across the street from the National Art Museum, I imagined this would be a showcase for Mexico's technological accomplishments, an opportunity to demonstrate that the country could duke it out technology-wise with the rest of the developed world.
A banner hanging from the façade invites me to view the museum's current exhibit.
Sigh.
Had I more time, I would have toured the museum anyway, in the hope that other unadvertised exhibits would illustrate some of Mexico's major engineering accomplishments, like the Copper Canyon Railroad. One day when I have more time to spend in Mexico City I'll tour the museum. But if this is how the Escuela Nacional de Ingenieros is used, it doesn't look promising for this retired engineer—or for the country as a whole.
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