The topics on day 1 of the Tec’s 2024 education conference

How can artificial intelligence (AI) impact higher education? How can universities collaborate to advance lifelong learning?

These are questions that will be posed at IFE Conference 2024, the international educational conference that has begun at Tec de Monterrey.

During its inauguration, Juan Pablo Murra, Rector for Higher Education at the Tec, pointed out that a more prosperous, sustainable, and just world can be created through education, research, and collaboration.

“Education is the best way to give people the tools to build a better life, to shape active citizens who are engaged with their communities and help create value for themselves and others,” Murra said.

The tenth edition of this event, formerly known as the International Conference on Educational Innovation (CIIE for its initials in Spanish), will feature talks, presentations, special events, panels, networking spaces, and more.

“Education is the best way to give people the tools to build a better life.” - Juan Pablo Murra

What the IFE Conference 2024 will consist of

From January 23-25, around 350 activities will be held simultaneously for professionals from academia, entrepreneurs, education policy makers, and civil society organizations.

On the agenda of this edition of the congress, you will find:

- Keynote talks and panels

World-class experts will speak at the IFE Conference, including:

• Michelle Marks,
• Scott Pulsipher,
• Bharat N. Anand, and others.

- Special events and summits

These events will be held during the conference:

• IFE Edtech Summit
• Artificial Intelligence in Education Summit,
• Lifelong Learning,
• EncuentrOSC,
• Cyber-Physical Learning Alliance Summit, and others.

- Presentations

There will be presentations on educational research and innovation that include more than 170 projects on topics such as educational trends, technologies for education, and academic innovation in health.
 

- Innovation Fair

Here, sponsors and strategic partners present technologies and information focused on educational innovation. There is also an exhibition of research posters.
 

- Edtech park

An exhibition of 20 ventures within the IFE Edtech Summit event.
 

- AI and Tec technologies

Advances in learning experiences will be presented in showrooms and tours through spaces such as Mostla, where teachers and students can learn about disruptive technologies, and VR Zones, which offer an immersive and innovative learning ecosystem.
 

- Awards

Winners of competitions such as the TecPrize and educational innovation network RIE 360 will be recognized.
 

- Networking spaces

Here, professionals will be able to connect through roundtables and workshops, among other activities.
 

The three major issues for higher education

In his keynote address, Michael Fung, Executive Director of the Tec’s Institute for the Future of Education, reviewed disruptions facing the education sector such as the adoption of technologies and the need for multiple careers throughout life.

To tackle these challenges, he says that universities must transform the way they prepare people so that they can respond effectively to the challenges of the future.

“We need to seek to transform education within our institutions and provide relevant lifelong learning opportunities for all,” he said, while mentioning paradigm shifts in academic tracks and flexible learning opportunities.

Fung addressed three major issues in the field of education that universities are grappling with today in order to teach people throughout their lives.

“In the context of education, it (AI) could replace teachers, but the truth is that the applications are still limited.” - Michael Fung

1) Artificial intelligence and technology in education

The IFE executive mentioned that there are myths and misconceptions about artificial intelligence, such as the fact that it could completely replace humans, which he sees as remote.

“In the context of education, it (AI) could replace teachers, but the truth is that the applications are still limited as they require computational processes that transcend the current level of technology,” he explained.

On the other hand, Fung pointed out that AI can indeed mean advances in the education sector and can be harnessed for a variety of purposes.

“Generative AI can be used very effectively in many areas, such as to create content. Another very promising area is the use of AI for highly personalized and individualized student tutoring,” he explained.

“As institutions, we need to keep up with the times and apply AI effectively,” he added.

He also spoke in this section about technologies related to digital education, such as the development of cyber-physical learning environments, which the Tec is already experimenting with.

2) Lifelong learning

As a second theme, Fung addressed lifelong learning, which has seen significant growth due to the demand for skills in the labor market.

“We’ve seen a growing global recognition of the importance of lifelong learning opportunities, which are extending to broader segments of the workforce and population,” he said.

The executive pointed out that nations around the world are currently investing in long-term projects to rebuild supply chain capabilities through new skills in the industrial sector and the labor market.

He mentioned that there is a greater demand for talent with expertise in STEM areas (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

“Our education systems have been designed to nurture talents to a certain capacity and size. New trends create a lot of disruption, and one way to respond to this is with lifelong learning,” he added.

Fung also highlighted the efforts of international organizations such as the Inter-American Development Bank to analyze and identify the skills needs of industrial sectors.

“We’re seeing growth in alternative credentials, particularly micro-credentials, which can be very effective in expanding learning pathways and contributing to employability,” he added.

3) Capacity building of educational institutions

Fung finally addressed the need for institutions to respond to rapidly changing needs and an evolving technological landscape.

“A competency-based education model will be very helpful in providing flexibility and agility as we look at evolving skills needs,” he said.

The executive pointed out that another important consideration revolves around climate action and sustainable development, along with taking advantage of technology to enable cross-cultural learning.

“We also need to promote international education and have capabilities for students to learn in this way, to build cross-cultural understanding toward a much more peaceful world,” he said.

For IFE’s Executive Director, focusing on building new capacities within institutions can also help meet changing needs in economic and social aspects.

About IFE Conference 2024

More than 3,200 attendees have registered for the tenth edition of the conference, whose central theme will be: “Education in the era of artificial intelligence.”

José Escamilla, Associate Director of the Institute for the Future of Education, noted that artificial intelligence has been an issue in the world of work and education.

“In the world of education, it impacts us twice as much because the future of work is changing, and we have to change what we teach at universities so that people are prepared,” Escamilla said.

“Artificial intelligence is transforming education and the way we learn. It sets us very important challenges that we’re going to see at the conference,” he added.

During the event, activities will focus on the challenges and opportunities for education and the workplace in the context of advances in artificial intelligence.

The event will be held in a hybrid format, with 169 institutions from 30 countries participating.

It takes place from January 23 to 25, with the Monterrey campus as the venue for the in-person element.

The Tec’s Rector for Higher Education celebrated the Institute for the Future of Education’s annual event as a space to address the challenges of education, such as access, equity, new technologies, and pedagogical models.

“The IFE Conference is a festival to celebrate ideas, learn, connect, and inspire,” said Murra.

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