UNAM
Sergio M. Alcocer has been a researcher at the Engineering Institute "Instituto de Ingeniería (UNAM)") since 1991.[4] Likewise, he is a professor in the Graduate Engineering Program at UNAM and a part-time professor at the University of Texas in San Antonio with the authorization of the Technical Council for Scientific Research at UNAM. In 1991 he entered the SNI as a candidate and, since 2022, he is level III.
As a specialist in Structural Engineering, he has developed research on testing concrete elements and confined masonry walls and buildings of up to 5 levels on a reduced scale, achieving two patents for an external device for applying inertial mass for vibrating table testing and recognition of outstanding articles in magazines and conferences. His research has been focused on improving the state of design and construction practice in our country, with emphasis on the development of requirements for construction standards and regulations. In this, it has proposed a comprehensive vision of structural safety that is achieved through uniform and adequate execution of the stages of a project (planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance, rehabilitation and demolition).
After the 2017 earthquakes, and in order to increase the safety and seismic resilience of the educational community in Mexico, in 2021 it developed a technical guide for school rehabilitation, which includes technically sound and accepted rules for rehabilitating the country's school buildings, which is complemented by three documents on a post-seismic evaluation methodology for structural safety. It includes the methodology, the basic concepts of evaluating the seismic behavior of structures, as well as a manual for its application in the field.
His career in the subject of structures and seismic resilience is long; He has taught subjects and courses on the behavior of concrete elements (1993-2010), design of masonry structures (2007 to date) and seismic rehabilitation of buildings (2020 to date). The latter proposed it due to the need to have experts on the subject to achieve the recovery of infrastructure damaged by phenomena and whose rehabilitation is feasible.
In the Graduate School of Engineering, and in the faculties of Engineering and Architecture of the UNAM, as well as at the University of Texas and other public and private universities, associations and professional colleges, he has taught dozens of refresher courses and diplomas on the same topics. He has been the tutor of more than twenty bachelor's theses, 24 master's and two doctoral theses.
From 1991 to 2000, he was commissioned by UNAM in the National Center for Disaster Prevention (CENAPRED) to collaborate in the development of research with the Area of Structural Engineering and Geotechnics. He was director of the Area and, as such, of the Large Structures Laboratory, its equipment and operation.
Also, in 1996 he was commissioned by the UNAM Engineering Institute to coordinate the installation, calibration and commissioning project of the shaking table, which is an earthquake simulator, which is the largest of its type in Latin America and one of the best for its excellent fidelity and performance. This table was inaugurated in 1997 and was in charge of ensuring its operation.
He was Research Director of CENAPRED (August 2000 to April 2003), where he led the work for the creation of the Special Program for the Prevention and Mitigation of Disaster Risk (PEPYM, the first program of its kind in Mexico), the Earthquake Prevention Program (PRESISMO), the Hillside Instability Risk Prevention and Mitigation Program (MILADERA) and the National Atlas of Risks. Likewise, he coordinated research at the Large Structures Laboratory, the only one in Latin America.
He was director of the Engineering Institute (April 2003 – November 2007), from where he promoted the modernization of the Institute, promoted links with top-level research centers in countries such as Japan, Canada, the USA, the European Union, Chile, Brazil, among others; recovered and expanded the link with various public and private sector agencies in order to contribute to the solution of national problems that concern the Institute, and improved administration by simplifying procedures. During his management, he coordinated the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Institute and an External Advisory Council was established and made a proposal for the rejuvenation of the academic staff. In addition, it promoted the growth of the Institute's physical plant, as well as the modernization of the research infrastructure.
He left the Directorate of the Institute to serve as general secretary of the UNAM (November 2007 - April 2011), invited by the rector José Narro Robles, from where he promoted the General Regulations of University Studies (approved by the H. University Council 2013) in order to strengthen the substantive functions of the UNAM and establish vanguard figures and processes, he coordinated the modification and updating of 17 university regulations, the development of four new versions of them, the creation of five regulations and the repeal of two more. She also promoted and supported the creation of the UNAM Special Commission on Gender Equality (2011). It began studies on the aging of the academic staff to identify and define criteria and policies for the dignified retirement of academic staff.
He launched the “Science Laboratories for High School” project and promoted the creation of the General Coordination of Languages and, within it, the “English Teaching Program at UNAM.” He created the General Directorate of Cooperation and Internationalization (DGECI), which concluded agreements and alliances with 59 countries.
He actively participated in the design, coordination and development of the Program for the Celebrations of the 100 years of UNAM.
As coordinator of Innovation and Development (February - December 2012), he promoted technological innovation, with humanistic and social support, at the service of the academy and the university social function by developing entrepreneurship and first job programs through courses, fairs and meetings of the university community with companies in the productive sector, in addition to the development and strengthening of institutional programs.
Holding these management positions at UNAM gave him extensive knowledge of its richness and diversity, of the central administration, as well as appreciation for its history and its community. He also developed the skills and abilities to carry out renovation and strategic planning tasks and the experience to work on cutting-edge issues in science, technology, humanities, arts and innovation.
He served as Undersecretary of Energy Planning and Technological Development of the Ministry of Energy (April 2011 - January 2012), where he established the model of the Mexican Energy Innovation Centers established and operated jointly by SENER "Secretaría de Energía (Mexico)") and CONACYT, the Comprehensive Hydrocarbon Projects and the sector's scholarship program. Under his leadership, the first massive solar energy deployment project for isolated communities began.
He was also Undersecretary for North America of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs "Secretaría de Comunicaciones Exteriors (Mexico)") (January 2013 - July 2015), where he demonstrated the ability to successfully negotiate with the United States of America and Canada and, through the simplification of procedures, a new generation consular registration, the MiConsulmex App and the consular network of Mexico in the US, supported the largest community of Mexicans in the outside. Likewise, it incorporated educational, cultural, scientific and innovation issues into the trilateral agenda with the creation of the Mexican Talent Network.
Participated in the creation, strategic planning and operation of the High Level Economic Dialogue. He proposed the creation of the Bilateral Forum on Higher Education, Innovation and Research between Mexico and the US (FOBESII), also of FOBESII-Canada; He was coordinator of the training programs abroad for higher level students “Proyecta 100,000” and “Proyecta 10,000”. Updated Master Plans and border infrastructure development. Planning and operation of MUSEIC: Mexico-US Entrepreneurship & Innovation Council.
On January 1, 2023, he assumed for a second term the presidency of the Mexican Council of International Affairs (COMEXI), an organization dedicated to the study, analysis and dialogue on international and global events. From there he has led the Board of Directors in the design and implementation of a strategy to strengthen the Council as a center of strategic thinking; The strategy includes the definition of the major issues of international relations for Mexico, a communication program, an operation strengthening program and a financing program. He has participated in forums, webinars and panels on diplomacy, international relations, the Mexico-U.S. bilateral relationship. USA, development and prospective.
During his tenure as president (2003 – 2004) of the Mexican Society of Structural Engineering (SMIE), the foundations were laid for its growth and consolidation. The image was changed and an extensive communication campaign was developed. The category of institutional members was created, as well as regional delegations and representations. The series of awards was created for teaching, research and professional practice, as well as for the best undergraduate and graduate theses.
During his management at the Academy of Engineering (2014 – 2016), the image of the organization was changed with a view to positioning it as a center for strategic thinking in engineering. The Great Challenges of Mexican Engineering were identified and multidisciplinary programs were organized for each of them. Technical and editorial criteria were established for the development of strategic studies. With the support of CONACYT, the capacity to execute projects with an impact on the country was strengthened. To encourage the interest of young people in engineering, three National Meetings of Young People in Engineering were organized. The foundations were laid for a Code of Ethics for the Academy. Collaboration was encouraged with engineering academies from other countries, highlighting the Royal Academy of Engineering and the US National Academy of Engineering.
Sergio M. Alcocer promoted the creation of the Alliance for Training and Research in Infrastructure for the Development of Mexico (FiiDEM Alliance)[5] to achieve the participation of the parties involved in the infrastructure (public, private and academic sectors, as well as schools and technical societies) in order to define and develop training and technological innovation projects in the sector. It started in 2010 with 51 founding members[i]. Currently, with the leadership of UNAM, it has 136 associates. The Alliance is a unique group in Mexico where the parties involved in an issue give their opinion and propose public and academic policies for greater competitiveness in a sector.