Wednesday, May 21, 2025
A group of young robotics champions from Toluca, Mexico, recently visited the College of Information, turning an ordinary afternoon into a memorable, hands-on exploration of innovation, science, and higher education opportunities in the U.S.

The visit was made possible after Dr. Deborah Cockerham introduced Kippen de Alba Chu, CEO of Fort Worth Sister Cities International, to College of Information’s Dean Kinshuk. During their conversation, Kippen mentioned that a group of students from Fort Worth’s sister city Toluca, Mexico would be in Dallas for a worldwide robotics competition and had a free afternoon. With Dean Kinshuk’s endorsement, Macy Elzonkoly, Assistant Director of Marketing & Outreach, quickly coordinated a campus visit.

A total of 19 students and chaperones from the NIRT® Robótica & Tecnología toured the UNT campus. The teens, ages 13 to 15, had just won the prestigious VEX International Robotics Competition Judges Award for Design, outperforming more than 100 other teams from around the globe.

During their visit, students explored several cutting-edge labs, including those led by Dr. Sharad Sharma and Dr. Gerald Knezek, as well as engineering facilities. With the last minute efforts of Allison Martin, the Executive Assistant, the students were also given a tour of some existing initiatives of the College of Engineering. They got an up-close look at ongoing research and projects, sparking questions not only about science but also about how they might one day study at UNT.

“Their enthusiasm was contagious,” said Dr. Cockerham. “They were especially engaged in the labs—asking about our programs, our faculty, and how to apply to UNT. We were thrilled to host them.”

The students proudly showcased their winning project and coding logbook, which detailed every iteration of their robot's development. Their visit concluded with group photos, smiles, and new aspirations for future academic journeys.

Events like these reflect UNT’s commitment to global partnerships and STEM education. As Dean Kinshuk noted, “This was more than a campus tour—it was an inspiring exchange of ideas and dreams. We hope to welcome some of these students back as future Eagles.”

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For more information on UNT College of Information programs, visit ci.unt.edu.