Polytechnic University Orlando Campus joins Puerto Rico–Florida Trade Mission to foster strategic partnerships and economic development

The Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico recently reiterated its commitment to economic development, cross-sector collaboration, and the strategic expansion of its Orlando Campus by taking part in the Puerto Rico–Florida Trade Mission led by the Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC).

During this trade mission, the PUPR delegation held meetings with officials from the City of Orlando as well as business associations and leaders from the private sector, including the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce, of which the University is an active member.

This event was intended to forge strategic partnerships to create new opportunities for academic, business, and government collaboration, positioning the Orlando Campus as a key partner in training specialized talent to meet the demands of Florida’s current job market, such as in the field of Geospatial Sciences and Technology.

The University’s involvement comes at a crucial moment in its history: with strategic goals like building and strengthening ties with the community, the industry, and the government, it now seeks to harmonize its academic offering with the needs of the regional economy. PUPR has traditionally made its mark with degrees related to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) careers.

The PUPR delegation, spearheaded by the institution’s president, engineer Ernesto Vázquez Martínez, and comprising vice presidents and members of the executive team, promoted the mission, vision, and academic capabilities of the Orlando Campus, as well as its focus on programs and careers in high-demand sectors. Examples of these include Advanced Entrepreneurship: Financial and Administrative Training and Advanced Technology and Innovation: AI, Power BI, Cybersecurity, etc.

In the words of PUPR President Vázquez Martínez, “Our participation in this trade mission reaffirms the commitment of the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico to economic development and to the training of highly skilled talent. Our Orlando Campus is at a pivotal moment of growth and strategic expansion. We will continue building our partnerships with the public and private sectors, because we firmly believe that collaboration is the foundation for driving innovation and creating real opportunities for our students. For us, the real graduation happens when our students successfully enter the workforce.”

Dr. Lilliam Román, director of the Orlando Campus, added, ““This mission gave us the opportunity to showcase our campus’s academic and technological capabilities to government and business leaders, as well as our direct commitment to the Orlando community. Our aim is to expand opportunities for our students, strengthen strategic partnerships, and continue positioning the Polytechnic University as a key partner in developing the talent needed in Florida’s job market.”

Training, Partnerships, and Employability

In parallel with the mission’s official itinerary, the University organized a series of training workshops for its faculty and administrative staff, fostering institutional culture and readiness to meet the challenges of expansion. The Campus was also visited by government representatives and local entrepreneurs, who were afforded a first-hand experience of the institution’s facilities, technological resources, and academic talent.

At the student level, specialized employability workshops were offered, in partnership with BMA (Brenda Marrero y Asociados), as part of an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to train and prepare students for job searching, interviews, and strategies to successfully join the workforce. These initiatives are part of the institution’s ongoing 60^th Anniversary celebration in 2026, marking six decades of commitment to education, innovation, and economic development, both in Puerto Rico and in Orlando.

The Polytechnic University’s participation in the Puerto Rico–Florida Trade Mission is a reiteration of its role as an academic and strategic bridge between Puerto Rico and Florida, promoting the exchange of knowledge, talent, and opportunities, in the benefit of both communities.