Intending to create spaces that foster disruptive ideas
contributing to a better future, the Institute for the Future of
Education (IFE) at Tecnológico de Monterrey welcomed more than
4,650 attendees from around the world to the 11th edition of IFE
CONFERENCE, an educational innovation congress taking place from
January 28 to 30 in Monterrey, Mexico.
During the opening ceremony, Juan Pablo
Murra, Rector of Tecnológico de Monterrey, emphasized that
one of the main challenges is integrating technological
capabilities with the pedagogical expertise of institutions to
drive societal transformation: "IFE Conference brings together
government leaders, educational institutions, entrepreneurs, and
civil society organizations to discuss what must be done to
transform education through innovation and technology."
Learn, Connect, and Inspire
José Escamilla, Associate
Director of IFE, highlighted that this year’s theme, "Driving the
Future of Education with Innovation and Technology," encourages
reflection on how educational institutions can adapt to these
changes by integrating technology effectively and ethically to
shape qualified and engaged global citizens. He explained that the
event has three core objectives: to learn, connect, and inspire the
community across all academic levels, from primary to higher
education.
"Today, education is experiencing rapid change
driven by technological innovations such as artificial
intelligence, online learning, and data analytics. These tools not
only expand access to knowledge but also enable personalized
learning experiences, enhancing educational quality and preparing
students for an increasingly digital workforce,"
Escamilla stated.
He also noted that over 110 university presidents and higher
education leaders will convene at the "Transforming Higher
Education" gathering to explore the challenges and opportunities in
educational transformation. Additionally, thematic sessions will
delve into topics such as information technologies, the impact of
public policies, and lifelong learning models.
A special forum on educational technology
entrepreneurship will also take place, bringing together
entrepreneurs and investors in the sector to foster new
collaboration opportunities.
Putting People at the Center of
Innovation
As part of the inauguration, the conference
"Artificial Intelligence in Education: Expectation vs. Reality" was
led by Michael Fung, Executive Director of IFE,
and Paulo Blikstein, Director of IFE’s Research
Lab. During this exchange, the experts discussed how, despite
expectations that AI will replace humans in specific tasks across
various fields—including education—its role should not be
overestimated, as human interaction remains essential.
"Institutions must be capable of innovating,
transforming, understanding, and adopting digital and AI
capabilities while also expanding their offerings, ensuring that
future generations remain relevant in the evolving landscape of
work, education, and economies worldwide," said Fung.
Blikstein emphasized the
importance of fostering collaboration between humans and
technology, noting that many AI tools are highly complex and
costly. "There’s a notion that humans are expensive and that
eliminating them allows us to scale. I challenge that idea because
when we consider the billions of dollars companies invest in
developing these tools, we see that sometimes the combination of
human intelligence and AI is actually more cost-effective," he
explained.
Over 250 Activities, Keynotes, and
Special Events
IFE Conference 2025 features more than 250
activities, including keynote speeches, panel discussions, special
events, awards, and networking sessions. Topics will cover emerging
technologies, the future of work, innovation, entrepreneurship,
public policy, and sustainability. Over the past decade, IFE has
brought together more than 29,000 participants from 3,000
institutions across 40 countries, with the participation of leading
education professionals and innovation advocates.
About the Institute for the Future of
Education (IFE)
IFE’s mission is to create, disseminate, and
apply research-based educational innovation to improve higher
education and lifelong learning. Its goal is to collaborate with
academics, professionals, policymakers, and leaders to co-create
the future of education. Its initiatives are organized into four
main areas: Interdisciplinary Research, Entrepreneurship and
Technology Transfer, Impact Projects and Consulting, Dissemination
and Community Building
Download graphic materials:
https://tec.rs/IFEConference2025
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About Tecnológico de
MonterreyTecnológico de Monterrey ((http://www.tec.mx) is
a private, non-profit university recognized for its academic
excellence, educational innovation, and global vision. Founded in
1943, it operates in 33 cities across 20 states in Mexico, with an
enrollment of 60,000 undergraduate and graduate students, as well
as more than 27,000 high school students. Accredited by SACSCOC
since 1950, Tec ranks #185 in the QS World University Rankings 2025
and #7 in Latin America according to the THE Latin America
University Rankings 2024. It is also recognized for global
employability and entrepreneurship programs and is a member of
international networks such as APRU and U21. For more details,
visit our Boilerplate:
https://tec.rs/Boilerplate
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6f8e2cb1-85da-4ccb-abc1-265c088c84bb
Press Contacts:
Tecnológico de Monterrey
Christian Morales
Mail: christianm@tec.mx
Cuadrante, Estrategia y Comunicación
Gabriela Peñaloza
Mail: gpenaloza@cuadrante.com.mx
Miranda Partners
Sofia Fraser
Mail: sofia.fraser@miranda-partners.com
