by Maria Belen MendyVice President of Siglo University 21
Every generation faces the challenge of imagining the country it wants to be. In this expectation, education has always been the most transformative force. In this Clarin’s 80th anniversary, It is clear that the countries that dared to invest in knowledge, innovation and educational leadership are the ones that have been able to sustain their development. education Not only does it train professionals, it formulates the innovative mindset that sets the direction of the nation.
Argentina has a valuable educational heritage and university tradition that makes us proud. But the question facing us today is how to transform this cultural and scientific power into sustainable development, social inclusion and real economic growth. Education Now It cannot be limited To transfer knowledge: it must anticipate changes, train leaders who can create value in unprecedented scenarios, and link research to the country’s major decisions.
We are witnessing the greatest cognitive revolution in history. Artificial intelligence, neuroscience, biotechnology, sustainability and digital transformation are redefining our professions, ways of learning and human connections. In the face of this context, universities They must be more than just institutions: They must become platforms for innovation and collective leadership. Its mission is not only to educate, but also to create ecosystems where science, technology and purpose are integrated to promote development.
At Universidad Siglo 21 we understood early on that the future of education was not a trend: it was a responsibility. When realism was still just a utopia, we chose technology-mediated paradigms, and today we lead five approaches that combine… Presence, digital intelligence, and distributed learning. It’s not about choosing between in-person or virtual, it’s about designing learning experiences that are flexible, accessible, personal, and people-centered.
Technologyif we understand it correctly, does not dehumanize a person: it amplifies. It democratizes access, breaks down geographical barriers and allows a working mother, a young insider or an adult who decides to reinvent themselves to find their place at university. This principle has inspired our concept of technohumanism: a model in which technology enhances human capabilities and collective intelligence becomes the engine of progress.
Innovation also means transforming educational culture. For years we have believed that uniformity ensures quality. Today we know that true excellence lies in intelligent personalization, respect for uniqueness and the ability to create experiences that connect knowledge with meaning. In the new educational era, a mistake ceases to be a failure and becomes a laboratory for discovery. Learning involves experimenting, modifying, creating and trying again. This is the DNA of innovation.
The latest research confirms this: the skills most in demand in the future will not be technical, but human. Creativity, critical thinking, empathy, adaptability and systemic vision are the new pillars of leadership. Therefore, form Innovative leaders It involves teaching how to use technology and teaching how to give it moral direction and human purpose. Education must prepare people to imagine what does not yet exist.
Research, for its part, is the compass for development. Without knowledge, there is no independence or future. That’s why we created Insight 21, our applied knowledge research hub, which brings together academic evidence and strategic decisions from the public and private sectors. Search is convertible: This is the assumption. The university cannot be an isolated tower, but rather an active node in the country’s development network.
In 2025, Siglo University 21 He is 30 years old. Three decades of challenging models, democratizing access to higher education in more than 320 cities in the country and training more than 100,000 graduates who today lead organizations, businesses and communities. But more than just numbers, this anniversary celebrates a way of understanding education: as a tool for social mobility, innovation and a shared future.
Leadership in education today means Linking knowledge to the goal, Innovation with values and technology with humanity. It means training leaders capable of building bridges between sectors, between generations, and between the present and the future. Argentina needs an education that inspires, unites and builds tangible hope. This can only be achieved with an innovative outlook and educational leadership that thinks in the long term.
When we talk about education, we are talking about the future of the country. To talk about research is to talk about sovereignty. Talking about innovation is talking about opportunities. The future is not predicted: it is designed. Educational leadership, today more than ever, is the most powerful tool for building an Argentina that once again believes in its ability to transform, innovate and transcend.
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