Rio South Texas Region: A Milestone Day for Binational Higher Education Collaboration

Earlier today, COSTEP -the Council for South Texas Economic Progress- hosted university presidents and senior academic leaders from Rio South Texas and Northern Tamaulipas for a milestone working session marking the formal establishment of the Binational Higher Education Advisory Council (BHEAC).

During this in-person meeting, COSTEP presented the Strategic Inventory of Educational Offerings, the first joint initiative of the council. Participants also reviewed and refined the foundational questionnaire that will map, in detail, the region’s academic programs and institutional capabilities, as outlined in the meeting agenda.

Advancing a Shared Binational Talent Strategy

The session set the groundwork for a long-term effort to align education and industry across both sides of the border.

With the Strategic Inventory underway, institutions will soon be able to:

• Update or design academic programs that respond to industry needs
• Strengthen partnerships with employers in key regional sectors
• Provide students with clearer visibility into high-demand career pathways
• Support regional promotion efforts with data-driven insights on talent readiness

COSTEP will integrate the inventory results with the Industrial Data System to identify the industrial sectors with the strongest growth potential, a critical tool for both universities and economic development organizations.

Collaboration at the Center

Today’s meeting also created space for meaningful dialogue between academic leaders. Participants shared perspectives, offered recommendations on the questionnaire, and discussed next steps for the council’s preliminary activity schedule, as reflected in the agenda.  

Their insight is essential to ensuring that the Strategic Inventory reflects institutional needs and helps build a cohesive, actionable framework for binational talent development.

Strengthening the Region’s Competitiveness

By officially launching the Binational Higher Education Advisory Council, COSTEP has taken an important step in unifying education, industry, and economic development under a shared vision.

This collaborative effort reinforces the region’s competitiveness, enhances its ability to attract investment, and prepares the next generation of binational talent.

A promising new chapter for the Rio South Texas Region began today.