Mexico City, November 28, 2024. Latin America's leading Christian-inspired universities met on November 7 and 8 at the campus of the Universidad de La Sabana in Chiapas, Mexico. Universidad de La Sabana in Chía, Colombia, to celebrate the first face-to-faceColombia, to celebrate the first face-to-face meeting of the Regional Community for the Regional Community of Academic Development of the Americas (CORDADA).
This event, which was attended by representatives of the Universidad Panamericana, marks a milestone in inter-university collaborationThe event, which was attended by representatives of the University of Chile, was a milestone in inter-university collaboration, with the aim of sharing knowledge, strengthening ties between institutions and promoting educational innovation in higher education throughout the region.
Key issues for educational innovation
During the meeting, the participating universities addressed strategic issues for the development of higher education in Latin America. Among them, the following stand out as key areas for educational progress in the continent:
- The impact of artificial intelligence on learning.
- The role of microcredentials in vocational training.
- Teacher training.
- The importance of continuing education.
- Strategies for integrating advanced technology in the classroom.
In this context, Universidad de La Sabana presented how experiential learning has transformed its educational offerings and strengthened its students' engagement with the environment. how experiential learning has transformed its educational offerings and strengthened the engagement of its students with the environment.
This approach is articulated with the strategic priority "UniSabana Learning".ensuring that learning experiences are not only innovative, but also generate a tangible impact on the academic programs and the communities with which they interact. generate a tangible impact on the academic programs and the communities with which they interact.
Educational innovation: a shared vision
The Dr. María de los Ángeles Padilla LavínVice Rector General for Educational Innovation at Universidad Panamericana, emphasized that a comprehensive vision of innovation can transform students' education, developing both digital competencies and soft skills that respond to the challenges of an ever-changing global environment.
"It is an honor to collaborate with Christian-inspired institutions in Latin America, exploring together educational solutions that foster the growth of our students and contribute to a more equitable society prepared for the challenges of the future," said Dr. Padilla Lavín.said Dr. Padilla Lavín.
For his part, Dr. Javier Bermúdez Aponte Dr. Javier Bermúdez AponteVice-Rector for Academic Processes and Students of Universidad de La Sabana, expressed his satisfaction with the high level of participation and the exchange of experiences among the participating universities.
"Through initiatives such as the Challenges and experiential learning, we also generate impact and reaffirm our commitment to a humanistic education that fosters the integral development of students and teachers, promoting an education that transforms lives and contributes to the construction of a fairer and more caring society"said Dr. Bermudez.
CORDADA's academic collaboration and objectives
CORDADA's fundamental objectives include the exchange of best practices in areas such as teacher education, academic integrity, flexibility and interdisciplinarity, virtual education, artificial intelligence, micro-credentials, soft skills and continuing education.
It also seeks to share enriching experiences on topics of common interest and promote academic collaboration among Latin American institutions.
The participants of this first meeting were:
- Lourdes Perea Muñoz - Austral University.
- Álvaro Barrachina - Austral University.
- Luis Fernando López - Universidad de La Sabana.
- Javier Bermúdez Aponte - Universidad de La Sabana.
- Susana Vegas Chiyón - University of Piura.
- María Ángeles Chesa Pascual - Universidad del Istmo.
- Ana de Sandoval - Universidad del Istmo.
- Carolina Amaya de Escobar - Universidad Monteávila.
- Nelly Méndez - Monteávila University.
- Daniel Fernando - Universidad de Los Hemisferios.
- Cristina Rockenbach - Universidad de Los Hemisferios.
- Fernanda Del Villar - Universidad Panamericana.
- María Teresa Nicolás - Universidad Panamericana.
- María de los Ángeles Padilla Lavín - Universidad Panamericana.
CORDADA: a vision for the future of higher education
This first CORDADA meeting represents the beginning of a fruitful collaboration between higher education institutions in Latin America, which recognize that the challenges of education in the 21st century require a joint vision and the sum of their experiences and strengths.
CORDADA will continue to promote activities and projects that foster educational innovation and strengthen ties between universities in the region.
