UTRGV Connects Education and Industry on Edinburg Campus

South Texas’ manufacturing growth should give local graduates more reasons to build their careers at home, according to Dr. Mostafa Malki, associate director of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Institute for Advanced Manufacturing.

In an interview with Pro Texas Industry at the COSTEP–UTRGV business gathering, Malki connected industrial recruitment with talent retention, technology development and stronger relationships across the Texas–Mexico border. He said he helped business consultant Liz Sanchez organize the summit to introduce companies to the region and create opportunities for students.

When graduates cannot find suitable local employment,particularly in engineering, they often leave for larger Texas cities, he explained. That means other communities benefit from the education provided in the Valley.

“We’re subsidizing their education and somebody else is benefiting from that,” Malki said.

His response is to connect investment with the capabilities needed to sustain it. Malki described the institute’s work as developing manufacturing technologies and processes, preparing workers, and helping businesses apply technology. Support can include prototyping a product or helping a startup develop an idea.

“We also assist small, medium and large businesses with technology,” he said.

Malki emphasized that UTRGV works alongside economic development organizations, local governments and other educational institutions. He cited South Texas College as a training partner whose offerings the institute can complement according to a company’s needs.

“We complement each other,” he said.

He also stressed the importance of helping existing manufacturers adopt new technologies. Recruitment and innovation, in his view,should strengthen the companies already operating locally and improve the region’s ability to withstand economic downturns.

Malki pointed to SpaceX and Saronic among the developments raising expectations for the Valley’s industrial future. Capturing more of that opportunity will require attracting suppliers, filling gaps in the supply chain and preparing people for increasingly technical work.

“We need to be proactive and not get complacent,” he said.

Mexico is central to that strategy. Malki described manufacturing, logistics and finishing activities across the border as parts of an interconnected economy. Businesses can combine the capabilities available in each country, including production expertise, technology and access to capital.

“It’s just one economy divided by a river or a border,” he said.

Malki also credited COSTEP as a partner in company recruitment and workforce development, explaining that the organizations use their networks to connect businesses with resources and contacts.

For South Texas, the opportunity he outlined goes beyond attracting a major employer. It is to build the suppliers, technical skills and business relationships that help investment take root—while giving local graduates the chance to participate in advanced manufacturing without leaving the region.