As we navigate the evolving landscape of work, it is imperative to envision a transformative future for education that caters to academic achievement, skills mastery, and the preparation of graduates for the labor market. This necessitates a paradigm shift characterized by nonlinearity and high flexibility, ensuring education remains responsive, relevant, and effective in meeting the changing needs of industries and society. 

To realize these objectives, an open and collaborative approach is needed to cultivate a FAIR education framework, embodying principles of being Fit for Purpose, Adaptive, Inclusive, and Relevant. 
 

Fit for Purpose

Design pedagogical, neurocognitive, and technological approaches that lead to effective learning.

Adaptive

Create flexible and convenient learning modes with multiple progression pathways.

Inclusive

Bring quality education opportunities to all, including underserved communities.

Relevant

Anticipate and respond to the dynamic changing needs of industries and society.

To achieve these objectives, several challenges need to be tackled, including, but not limited to: 

1. Quality. Elevate learning outcomes by transforming teaching & learning to be engaging and motivating.
2. Relevance. Skills development to support worker job mobility and companies’ business transformation.
3. Access. Scale up quality higher education and lifelong learning opportunities for all segments of the population.
4. Inclusion. Make education affordable to different learner segments.
5. Efficiency. Design effective competency-based learning systems to increase educational quality and efficiency.

To address the five great challenges in education, the Institute for the Future of Education establishes a platform to generate interdisciplinary research, promote entrepreneurship, provide educational innovation services, disseminate knowledge, and connect with our stakeholders to have a greater impact.

The International Advisory Board (IAB) of the Institute for the Future of Education is a high-level body that supports the Institute’s strategic direction setting and global positioning. Its members bring deep expertise in education, innovation, skills development, and public policy and serve as trusted advisors who provide critical feedback, challenge assumptions, and help identify bold opportunities for impact. The Board also acts as a bridge to international networks, unlocking new partnerships, funding sources, and platforms for collaboration.

IFE Flagship Projects

The IFE Flagship Projects are strategic institutional initiatives that have been shaped and refined with input from the International Advisory Board. They embody the Institute’s commitment to systemic educational transformation through innovation, collaboration, and global engagement.

Executive Program for Higher Education Leaders (in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania)

This initiative, developed in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania, aims to empower university leaders in Latin America with the essential tools, mindsets, and networks to lead institutional transformation. The program features in-person and virtual modules focused on innovation, sustainability, and leadership. Its goal is to develop higher education institutions that are prepared for the future across the region.

IFE AI Nexus

A collaborative research and innovation hub focused on artificial intelligence and learning analytics in education. It enables large-scale pilots, joint research, policy guidance, and training to help institutions integrate AI into teaching and learning in a responsible and effective way—leveraging the infrastructure of IFE and Tecnológico de Monterrey.

Skills Hub

Skills Hub is a platform designed to close the skills gap between education and the labor market. It supports governments, industries, and universities with skills forecasting, short-cycle program design, and policy development. The initiative combines data, research, and partnerships to foster inclusive upskilling and reskilling ecosystems across Latin America.

FAIR Learning Model - El Camino

A hybrid learning model that combines AI-powered tutoring via WhatsApp with human mentorship to support vulnerable segments of the population. Initially piloted in Monterrey, it has demonstrated strong engagement and learning outcomes. The IAB identified El Camino’s potential for massive scalability as a low-cost, high-impact solution to advance educational equity.

Global South EdTech Network

This initiative aims to identify, adapt, and scale educational technology solutions for Latin America and developing economies. It builds a collaborative network to address shared challenges through research, open innovation, and a validation marketplace. The project amplifies Global South voices and fosters sustainable, evidence-based EdTech innovation.

IFE International Advisory Board Members

Michael J. L. Fung

President IFE International Advisory Board Executive Director Institute for the Future of Education

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Courtney Brown

Vice President of Strategy

Lumina Foundation

Raúl Valdés-Cotera

Chief Program Coordinator

UNESCOInstitute for Lifelong Learning

Horacio Arredondo

Dean School of Business & EGADE Business School

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Matt Sigelman

President

Burning Glass Institute

Paul LeBlanc

Co-Founder

Matter and Space

Douglas Lynch

Senior Fellow

USC Rossier School of Education

Maia Sharpley

Managing Partner

Odonata Ventures

Michelle Weise

Co-Founder

Rise & Design

Juan Pablo Murra

Rector

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Feniosky Peña-Mora

Vice President of Research

Tecnológico de Monterrey

José Escamilla

Secretary IFE International Advisory Board Associate Director Institute for the Future of Education

Tecnológico de Monterrey

The International Advisory Board (IAB) of the Institute for the Future of Education is a high-level body that supports the Institute’s strategic direction setting and global positioning. Its members bring deep expertise in education, innovation, skills development, and public policy and serve as trusted advisors who provide critical feedback, challenge assumptions, and help identify bold opportunities for impact. The Board also acts as a bridge to international networks, unlocking new partnerships, funding sources, and platforms for collaboration.

IFE Flagship Projects

The IFE Flagship Projects are strategic institutional initiatives that have been shaped and refined with input from the International Advisory Board. They embody the Institute’s commitment to systemic educational transformation through innovation, collaboration, and global engagement.

Executive Program for Higher Education Leaders (in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania)

This initiative, developed in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania, aims to empower university leaders in Latin America with the essential tools, mindsets, and networks to lead institutional transformation. The program features in-person and virtual modules focused on innovation, sustainability, and leadership. Its goal is to develop higher education institutions that are prepared for the future across the region.

IFE AI Nexus

A collaborative research and innovation hub focused on artificial intelligence and learning analytics in education. It enables large-scale pilots, joint research, policy guidance, and training to help institutions integrate AI into teaching and learning in a responsible and effective way—leveraging the infrastructure of IFE and Tecnológico de Monterrey.

Skills Hub

Skills Hub is a platform designed to close the skills gap between education and the labor market. It supports governments, industries, and universities with skills forecasting, short-cycle program design, and policy development. The initiative combines data, research, and partnerships to foster inclusive upskilling and reskilling ecosystems across Latin America.

FAIR Learning Model - El Camino

A hybrid learning model that combines AI-powered tutoring via WhatsApp with human mentorship to support vulnerable segments of the population. Initially piloted in Monterrey, it has demonstrated strong engagement and learning outcomes. The IAB identified El Camino’s potential for massive scalability as a low-cost, high-impact solution to advance educational equity.

Global South EdTech Network

This initiative aims to identify, adapt, and scale educational technology solutions for Latin America and developing economies. It builds a collaborative network to address shared challenges through research, open innovation, and a validation marketplace. The project amplifies Global South voices and fosters sustainable, evidence-based EdTech innovation.

IFE International Advisory Board Members

Michael J. L. Fung

President IFE International Advisory Board Executive Director Institute for the Future of Education

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Courtney Brown

Vice President of Strategy

Lumina Foundation

Raúl Valdés-Cotera

Chief Program Coordinator

UNESCOInstitute for Lifelong Learning

Horacio Arredondo

Dean School of Business & EGADE Business School

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Matt Sigelman

President

Burning Glass Institute

Paul LeBlanc

Co-Founder

Matter and Space

Douglas Lynch

Senior Fellow

USC Rossier School of Education

Maia Sharpley

Managing Partner

Odonata Ventures

Michelle Weise

Co-Founder

Rise & Design

Juan Pablo Murra

Rector

Tecnológico de Monterrey

Feniosky Peña-Mora

Vice President of Research

Tecnológico de Monterrey

José Escamilla

Secretary IFE International Advisory Board Associate Director Institute for the Future of Education

Tecnológico de Monterrey

The Research Lab is committed to conducting innovative interdisciplinary research that addresses the most pressing challenges facing education worldwide.

The Research Lab is committed to conducting innovative interdisciplinary research that addresses the most pressing challenges facing education worldwide.

This initiative is committed to evaluating and strengthening educational innovation through scientific evidence. Its central goal is to ensure that educational initiatives, whether developed internally or externally, generate measurable impact, inform strategic decisions, and contribute to more equitable, effective, and inclusive learning environments.

• During the last period, the initiative is focused on three priorities:
• Expanding rigorous evaluation within Tecnológico de Monterrey in close collaboration with key university stakeholders.
• Offering evidence-based consulting services to external universities and organizations in Mexico and Latin America.

Leading high-impact, socially driven projects that use evidence to transform lives in vulnerable communities.

At the core of this initiative lies a robust methodological framework aligned with international standards in educational research. The approach includes a structured impact evaluation model with four stages: defining the model of change, collecting evidence, reviewing and analyzing data, and communicating findings to stakeholders.

The framework operates across three levels of evaluation—results measurement, goal achievement, and causal impact—and uses techniques such as counterfactual analysis (RCTs), matching, theory-driven inference, and triangulation to ensure validity and actionable insights.

The area works in strategic coordination with core actors at Tecnológico de Monterrey, including the: Vice President for Academic Affairs and Faculty; Vice President for High Schools; Vice President for Academic Affairs; Vice President for Educational Innovation and Academic Regulations; Executive Vice President for Research; Vice President for Inclusion, Social Impact and Sustainability; and Vice President for Strategy.

Beyond its internal value, the initiative supports a growing portfolio of evaluations for external institutions, helping partners assess programs, validate results, and make strategic decisions. This outreach solidifies IFE’s role as a trusted source for impact consulting in higher education and social innovation.

This initiative is committed to evaluating and strengthening educational innovation through scientific evidence. Its central goal is to ensure that educational initiatives, whether developed internally or externally, generate measurable impact, inform strategic decisions, and contribute to more equitable, effective, and inclusive learning environments.

• During the last period, the initiative is focused on three priorities:
• Expanding rigorous evaluation within Tecnológico de Monterrey in close collaboration with key university stakeholders.
• Offering evidence-based consulting services to external universities and organizations in Mexico and Latin America.

Leading high-impact, socially driven projects that use evidence to transform lives in vulnerable communities.

At the core of this initiative lies a robust methodological framework aligned with international standards in educational research. The approach includes a structured impact evaluation model with four stages: defining the model of change, collecting evidence, reviewing and analyzing data, and communicating findings to stakeholders.

The framework operates across three levels of evaluation—results measurement, goal achievement, and causal impact—and uses techniques such as counterfactual analysis (RCTs), matching, theory-driven inference, and triangulation to ensure validity and actionable insights.

The area works in strategic coordination with core actors at Tecnológico de Monterrey, including the: Vice President for Academic Affairs and Faculty; Vice President for High Schools; Vice President for Academic Affairs; Vice President for Educational Innovation and Academic Regulations; Executive Vice President for Research; Vice President for Inclusion, Social Impact and Sustainability; and Vice President for Strategy.

Beyond its internal value, the initiative supports a growing portfolio of evaluations for external institutions, helping partners assess programs, validate results, and make strategic decisions. This outreach solidifies IFE’s role as a trusted source for impact consulting in higher education and social innovation.

AI-Nexus is supported by the LL&DH research infrastructure and by AI researchers and expert consultants from IFE’s initiatives, such as the Research Lab, Impact Measurement, Consultancy, and LL&DH.

Part of IA-Nexus, the Artificial Intelligence Global Education Network (AIGEN) is a community of practice aiming to catalyze AI applications in Higher Education through:

AI-Nexus is supported by the LL&DH research infrastructure and by AI researchers and expert consultants from IFE’s initiatives, such as the Research Lab, Impact Measurement, Consultancy, and LL&DH.

Part of IA-Nexus, the Artificial Intelligence Global Education Network (AIGEN) is a community of practice aiming to catalyze AI applications in Higher Education through:

The Institute for the Future of Education (IFE) is a key driver of educational transformation, delivering change through high-impact, customized consulting projects worldwide. Its dynamic consulting model provides value-added solutions tailored to the needs of universities, governments, and organizations worldwide.

Building World-Class Educational Ecosystems: A Model for the Future of Learning

The IFE’s Consulting Model is designed to strengthen the learning ecosystem within higher education institutions. It can be implemented comprehensively - addressing all components simultaneously - or modularly, focusing on specific areas according to the university’s needs.

The flexible approach allows for the customization of strategies to enhance educational quality, innovation, and efficient management.

Below are the nine key pillars of the model:

Learning Ecosystem

1. Educational Model

2. Training Plans

3. Linking for Learning

4. Technology for Learning

5. Academy Profile

6. Research

7. Management Processes

8. Facilities

9. Continuing Education