Inspiring professors Omar Hernandez is transforming communities in Mexico

At Hult, we are incredibly proud of our professors. They are not only wonderful teachers with a passion for education but they are out there, using their knowledge and skills to make a real difference in the world outside the classroom. Prof. Omar Romero-Hernandez, who teaches Operations Management and Sustainability in the Global One-Year MBA and Master of International Business programs at Hult’s San Francisco campus, as well as at the Haas School of Business, is on a mission to help his home country of Mexico. On why he uses his time this way, Omar says: â€Å"I believe it’s the right thing to do. I come from a developing country, and I am very conscious of the inequality that prevails in society. Through education – we can give a chance to everyone.† The projects Omar is involved with touch many areas including improving access to clean water and education in isolated communities, advising the government on renewable energy, and promoting sustainability in farming – and education is a common theme throughout; empowering communities through knowledge. Mission 1: Provide tens-of-thousands low-income communities with access to drinkable water In his role as member of the Board of Directors of Cantaro Azul, Prof. Romero-Hernandez supports this NGO in its mission to improve the health and wellbeing of people that live in marginalized communities by developing sustainable solutions. One of the flagship products of the NGO is â€Å"The Mesita Azul†, a technology for improving water quality that was designed directly by its founders with the participation of community members, particularly the women. This allowed for greater emphasis on its aesthetic and user-friendly qualities. By sharing projects like these in his classes at Hult, Omar is able to bring students closer to real challenges and solutions in developing countries. Whether used in open conversations or directly integrated in to his sustainability course, using his experience to teach is a high-impact approach that inspires students and sparks their dreams and ambitions to engage in social impact initiatives. Mission 2: Help 5million+ Mexican adults finish their elementary and high school education Throughout the marginalized communities of Mexico, there are millions who are illiterate and millions more who haven’t completed their basic education. The Mexican government, through the National Institute for Adult Education, supplies books and materials to those wanting to finish their elementary and secondary education. The institute must stick to a tight budget. When they reach this budget, they can’t produce any more materials so many participants – including those in isolated communities or prisons – are left without books or means of learning the curriculum. Discouraged, they often drop out and their attempts to complete their education and improve their literacy are abandoned. Professor Romero-Hernandez and his colleagues worked with the institute to develop an entirely new forecasting model, based on Bayesian methods, to better estimate how many books and course materials are needed. Analyzing over 5million sets of data, the project team developed an advanced model that improved the service levels significantly and above 90% in some cases. The model improved operations, reduced wastage, and significantly decreased dropout rates. Omar says of the project: â€Å"This project was very special for me as it required applying strong academics to solve social need. I am an academic, and I believe in the benefits of research and education so it is incredibly satisfying and inspiring to create something new that can be used in the real world.†Ã‚   Mission 3: Help Mexico transition to a low carbon economy The world is facing a climate change crisis caused by the effects of industrialization and the extensive use of fossil fuels. There is an appetite and an urgency amongst policymakers worldwide to seek alternative sources of energy. Mexico is a nation dominated by the hydrocarbon industry and yet has huge potential in renewable energy sources, which have been largely ignored by policy makers, academics, and the media alike. In research and the resulting book Renewable Energy in Mexico: Policy and Technologies for a Sustainable Future (2013) Omar Romero-Hernandez and his co-authors analyze the real potential that exists in Mexico for the renewable energy sector and aims to inspire greater social and economic investment in the sector. To date, Omar has presented the findings and recommendations at the Mexican Congress for its members, as well as the President of the Energy Commission. He has attended several seminars and events, including the North American Carbon Price Roundtable, which brought together a select group of government officials, corporate executives, and policy experts from Canada, Mexico, and the United States to discuss how the three countries can integrate climate change policy and move toward a common carbon price for the North American continent. If Mexico can transition to a low-carbon economy, it will have substantial impact on the environmental conditions not only of the citizens of Mexico, but globally. Mission 4: Eradicate poverty and promote sustainable development in Oaxaca, Mexico Omar’s most recent project with Ecosystems Services aims to understand how indigenous communities in the Oaxaca region of Mexico have adapted to climate change, and to estimate the social and environmental impact of their initiatives. He is currently plannning to collaborate with former students and current professors from ITAM, UNAM, and the University of California, Berkeley. The project is also looking at the supply chain of coffee practices in the region, with an emphasis on its carbon footprint. The goals of the project are to understand how communities perceive and adapt to climate change and the role that social entrepreneurship may have in protecting the environment while creating social welfare initiatives. This project is in a similar vein to a 2011 research report Omar and his colleagues produced, funded by the European Union as part of the project ‘Bioenergy, sustainability and trade-offs: Can we avoid deforestation while promoting bioenergy?’ The objective of the project was to contribute to sustainable bioenergy development that benefits local people in developing countries, minimizes negative impacts on local environments and rural livelihoods, and contributes to global climate change mitigation. Omar – you are an inspiration and we look forward to hearing about your future initiatives. If you would like to find out more about Hult’s global business programs,  download a brochure here. Hult offers a range of highly skills-focused and employability-driven business school programs including a range of MBA options and a comprehensive one year Masters in International Business. To find out more, take a look at our blog Ikigai, or how to find your purpose. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you to learn about the business world, the future, and yourself. Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .