News | Education | 02 September 2022
REDECANEDU furthers STEM Learning, Diversity and Remote Education
The network of deans of education of Latin American universities (REDECANEDU) held the first ever international congress on the topic “Weaving educational dialogues in times of uncertainty. Opportunities for Teacher Training from STEM Education, Diversity and Remote Education” in Santiago de Chile. The network comprises 33 deans from 12 Latin American countries and addresses urgent issues stemming from the educational realities of the participating countries and institutions, such as interculturality, diversity and inclusion, citizenship, and climate change. The initiative is co-funded by Siemens Stiftung and Siemens Caring Hands e.V. within the framework of STEM for Innovation in Latin America Education Initiative.
Teachers, professors, directors, academic professionals, and experts from across Latin America and other countries participated in the two-day conference (1-2 September) in person and digital formats. Rector of the Catholic University, Ignacio Sánchez, and the Dean of the UC Faculty of Education, Alejandro Carrasco opened the congress.
Dr. Nina Smidt, Managing Director and Spokesperson of the Board, Siemens Stiftung, delivered the keynote on the importance of STEM (Science Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) to nurture skills among students and teachers to develop innovative solutions in times of transformation and the urgent need for innovative educational approaches to prepare the teachers and students in Latin America in 21st-century skills.
“UNESCO’s new flagship report “Reimagining our futures together: a new social contract for education” calls for reinventing education. It advocates for a new social contract for education– a tacit agreement among members of a society to cooperate for shared benefit. It makes a strong case for pedagogies to emphasize cooperation and solidarity, and for curricula to shift toward ecological, intercultural, and interdisciplinary learning. I feel here the same spirit and commitment to deliver innovative educational approaches that have a transformative impact on younger generations to combat global challenges”, she said.
Over the two days of the congress, participants benefitted from the insightful discussions, the various sessions with regional and international experts and networking opportunities which will go a long way to strengthen the network.
Dr. Nina Smidt and Dr. Barbara Filtzinger, Head of Education, Siemens Stiftung, were on a week-long visit to Santiago de Chile to strengthen the collaboration on STEM education and other innovative educational approaches in Latin America. They met the first lady of Chile, Irina Karamanos, the rectors of reputed Universities in Chile, and officials at UNESCO’s local office. They also witnessed the implementation of STEM approaches in classrooms and interacted with students and teachers.