Humberto Muñoz: Criticism and Institutionality

Abstract

The text is a brief tribute marking the passing of Humberto Muñoz García. It bids farewell to and acknowledges Muñoz García in his multiple roles: academic, colleague, friend, teacher, and boss. The author first knew Muñoz García through his publications, such as the Censuses and the Diagnosis of Academic Personnel from the 80s, and later in person, establishing a colleague relationship and participating together in the Higher Education Seminar starting in 2005. Muñoz García's contribution is framed within a generation of UNAM academics who entered in the late 50s and early 60s of the 20th century, whose training was based on direct recruitment in the classroom or laboratory, with high academic demands and a concept of career that was more union-based than meritocratic. This training allowed Muñoz to obtain a Doctorate at age 30 and, at 42, already be a Titular C and enter Level III of the SNI. His criticisms of the subsequent academic order were founded on this rich experience, advocating for incentives that encouraged reading, critical thinking, and intense sociocultural coexistence.