Introduction
In recent years, universities in Latin America have been losing relevance and pertinence. This is due to the fact that professional studies no longer guarantee employability or social mobility, and they fail to address the realities of new generations of students. Furthermore, these institutions have abandoned their mission to integrate knowledge and cater to the lifelong learning needs of their alumni, as they struggle to adapt to a rapidly changing job market.
The Paradox of Inclusion
During a panel titled “How can Latin American universities transform into true learning, inclusion, and innovation engines?” at the IFE Conference 2026 hosted by Tecnológico de Monterrey, experts discussed the challenges universities face in maintaining relevance.
Experts’ Perspectives
- Mercedes Mateo Diaz, Director of Education at the Inter-American Development Bank (BID), emphasized that universities must embrace social leadership and take responsibility for making decisions about relevance, acting effectively, ensuring cost-effectiveness, and implementing operable solutions.
- Carlos Iván Moreno, Director General of University Higher Education and Intercultural Education at Mexico’s Secretariat of Public Education, highlighted a paradox: while there is an obligation to increase university enrollment to one million students, dropout rates have remained high over the past decade, with three million young people entering and leaving universities without completion.
Addressing Student Retention
Moreno pointed out that students who leave universities often feel a sense of failure and lacked sufficient empathy and support from institutions. He suggested that these students deserve recognition for what they have learned, which could encourage them to return.
José Escamilla, from the IFE, proposed adapting to the needs and circumstances of current generations. Moreno echoed this sentiment, stating that universities must adapt to students rather than expecting them to conform to institutional policies.
Moreno also mentioned the need for curricular redirection, focusing on broader existential questions and socioemotional concerns of students, rather than solely technical skills for the job market.
Key Questions and Answers
- What actions should Latin American universities take to remain socially relevant?
According to Carlos Iván Moreno, universities should be “less arrogant, more adaptable, and self-critical,” adapt to student needs, provide socioemotional support, recover their original mission of addressing significant existential questions, and allow for flexible norms and micro-certifications. - How can universities contribute to sustainability?
Juan Pablo Murra, Rector of Tecnológico de Monterrey, emphasized that universities should act as a driving force for sustainability. He outlined the Tec’s Ruta Azul initiative, which includes nature conservation, water and energy savings, waste management, and other projects. Starting in August 2026, the university will implement transversal sustainability training across all programs and campuses.
