BECAS MOB FOUNDATION, ITS ORIGINS

In 1992 Mr. Guillermo Brockmann established this foundation enabling talented young Mexicans to obtain high-quality postgraduate education abroad, which he named Becas Magdalena O. Vda. de Brockmann in honor of his late mother. He profoundly admired her. When he was nine years old his father, grandfather and only uncle all died leaving his mother a young widow in dire financial straits. Despite early widowhood and multiple hardships she was able to educate her four children abroad and subsequently watch them become successful. In Guillermo’s case she was able to get a scholarship that permitted him to study civil engineering at MIT in 1929. Inspired by this, Mr. Brockmann decided to further the higher education of other talented Mexicans, and by example encourage philanthropy in this vital field.

It was Mr. Brockmann’s belief, shared by the members of our Board of Directors consisting of prominent members of our community, that what Mexico needs most are citizens with advanced degrees and exposure to first world values and systems, which can only be obtained by attending foreign universities. Mexicans, after exposure to other cultures and values, return imbued with tolerance and a highly developed competitive spirit thereby enriching Mexico’s technological and cultural level. For not only will they have acquired invaluable technical knowledge while refining their ability to communicate in a foreign language, but more importantly, when they eventually become decision makers in government and private enterprise, they will be in a position to do something about the many problems that face Mexico, especially the imperative need to improve educational standards which is at the root of this country’s underdevelopment.

The Foundation’s sole mission is to send outstanding young Mexicans to top foreign universities for Master’s degrees, thus promoting higher education and creating a highly competitive and innovative group of citizens with global perspectives, yet with a powerful commitment to their country.

Briefly, the Foundation’s objectives are:

• To promote high-level education by annually granting as many scholarships as feasible to young Mexicans, commensurate with fiscal responsibility, while seeking to take advantage of funding offers from other institutions.
• To foster the development of Mexican citizens by providing them with opportunities to live in advanced countries and become acquainted with varied cultures.
• To continue and grow in perpetuity as an institution free of conflicts of favor and interest.

It is the Foundation’s policy to provide guidance and award scholarships to gifted Mexicans who wish to study for Master’s degrees at foreign universities in branches of knowledge of their choice, with the proviso that these provide a future contribution to the advancement and modernization of Mexico. It requires grantees to speak and write English at a level sufficient to take full advantage of their studies; to return to Mexico upon completion of their degrees in order to put to work and transmit the knowledge acquired; and to reimburse over time 30% of the scholarship received (interest-free) to cover administrative expenses. This ensures that the original endowment, its yields and all future contributions to it are devoted exclusively to granting scholarships. The Foundation’s headquarters in Mexico are located within the offices of American Chamber of Commerce, Guadalajara Division, on a rent-free basis, thanks to the vision of the former President of its Board of Directors, Mr. Adolf B. Horn, Jr. and the generous support of all subsequent Presidents.

The Foundation seeks highly motivated applicants with the following attributes: a Bachelor’s degree and cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, strong recommendations, a functional level of communication in English, proof of having thoroughly researched postgraduate study opportunities, clearly focused career objectives, and finally, official admittance to a recognized foreign university. Awardees promise to return to Mexico after graduation and to remain in the country for five years.

A BRIEF HISTORY

Becas Magdalena O. Vda. de Brockmann, A.C. is a carefully managed nonprofit private foundation (tax exempt in Mexico, Canada and the U.S.) set up on April 29th, 1993 and headquartered in Guadalajara, Mexico. In 1993 six scholarships were awarded. Over the last 16 years the Foundation’s endowment has grown and other programs have been added, with a concomitant increase in scholarships. Its original endowment consisted of an irrevocable donation made by Mr. Brockmann of $1,500,000 dollars. Since then, despite having awarded 260 scholarships (including 2008 awardees) amounting to over $2,790,000 dollars (plus over $1,450,000 provided by the Jalisco State Government, with further tuition waivers and matching funds provided by other universities and private firms), the Foundation’s endowment (managed by the well-known San Francisco investment adviser, Fisher Investments, Inc.) has grown to over $3,400,000. To ensure the Foundation’s continuity and growth, our bylaws and long-term financial plan require that annually we invest between 5 and 5.5% of our endowment in scholarships.

A major milestone was achieved in April 1997 when the Foundation signed an agreement with CONACYT, the Mexican Government agency entrusted with awarding science and technology loans, scholarships and funding for research projects. As a result of years of close and productive cooperation this relationship has matured to the extent that a formal agreement is no longer necessary. In addition the Foundation maintains close contact with other grant-giving institutions such as Fulbright, the Ford, McArthur and Hewlett Foundations, The British Council and various Mexican institutions that offer student aid, government and otherwise, primarily to avoid duplication.

Another milestone, which confirms the high regard in which the Foundation is held in the educational community, was the signature in November 1997 of an agreement with the Government of the State of Jalisco. It entrusts the Foundation with the administration of a program, unique in Mexico,  by which $150,000 dollars are invested annually in scholarships for present and future public servants, primarily those interested in studying for Master’s degrees in public administration. Upon their return awardees are committed to work for the state government for at least three years. The original program had a duration of two years but such was its appeal that in March 2000 the Jalisco State Congress approved an extension of the program for another ten years. The Foundation is deeply honored to select all fellows and guide them in seeking admission to carefully chosen universities.

In June of 1999 the Foundation signed an agreement with the British Government by which a joint scholarship is awarded annually to an outstanding Mexican wishing to study for a Master’s degree in the social sciences at a university in Great Britain of his or her choice. This Chevening Scholarship Program is very competitive and is aimed at improving future diplomatic relations between the two countries by aiding future leaders and decision makers. The following year The Cambridge Overseas Trust offered to annually co-sponsor two Mexican students wishing to study for Master’s degrees in electronic or computer engineering at world-renowned Cambridge University. In 2001 the Foundation further reached an agreement with the University of Alberta to annually grant up to five joint fellowships to Mexicans wishing to obtain Master’s degrees in science or engineering at this superb Canadian university.

Under a separate agreement the government of Great Britain, the University of Warwick and this Foundation will annually award a suitable Mexican candidate with a full scholarship enabling him or her to study any Master’s degree (except MBA's) offered by this fine University. The Foundation also signed an agreement in 2003 with the Fundacion Carolina de España to provide up to three jointly sponsored scholarships for qualified Mexicans willing to study at affiliated Spanish universities. In August 2004 the Foundation signed an agreement with the University of Sussex to provide qualified Mexican students admitted to this innovative university with tuition facilities and funding for living expenses. Furthermore, in 2007 the Foundation signed scholarship agreements with the University of Arizona, which stipulates a maximum of 3 joint scholarships for qualified students wishing to study public administration, business administration or finance, and The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, which provides substantial grant aid to outstanding MBA candidates, further increasing the facilities available for outstanding Mexican students wishing to study at top foreign universities.

The Foundation has also received tuition discount offers from select universities around the world.

These multiply the number of quality study options for the Foundation’s scholars, also benefiting the schools’ ability to recruit top candidates in Mexico. Between 2005 and 2008 the following universities made offers to the Foundation: Brandeis University, Columbia University, New School University, University of Minnesota, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Washington, University of Memphis, University of South Carolina, University of Bath, Dublin City University, Bond University, ISEAD and the Formaselect and Red “n + i” networks.

Since its establishment over twenty Mexican companies and private entities have joined this Foundation in matching grants awarded to exceptional young people enabling them to travel overseas for postgraduate studies.

Over the years former Brockmann scholars have established a not-for-profit association of their own and already their network is providing useful guidance to fellows, not only prior to their departure for school abroad, but also on their return when seeking employment and professional growth opportunities.

The Foundation was awarded the distinguished member award for 2003 by the American Chamber of Commerce, Guadalajara Division as recognition for outstanding contribution to its community and achievement. Both its President and Executive Director have been awarded the distinguished-individual recognition for outstanding achievement by AmCham (the Yacatecutli).

The Foundation is extremely proud that to date all awardees have obtained the Master’s degrees sought and a number have been distinguished by their host universities with offers to study PhD’s, at no cost, after completion of their Master’s.

To summarize, the future of this Foundation is extremely promising. We look forward to many years of promoting higher education overseas for exceptional young Mexicans and contributing to the academic progress of this country’s youth, thus supporting the stated objectives of our founder Mr. Guillermo Brockmann.

June 2008

Av. Moctezuma No. 442 Col. Jardines del Sol
45050 Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico
Tel/fax (33) 3632-2872, (33) 3634-6606 Ext. 24
E-mail: becasmob@becasmob.org.mx, Web Page: www.becasmob.org.mx