In the complexity of the present, where environmental challenges such as global warming and pollution threaten the very essence of our planet, and intricate problems like poverty jeopardize the well-being of millions, there arises an imperative call to action for society to stand as an agent of change. The premise is clear: we cannot passively wait for others to solve these problems. Each of us has the capacity and responsibility to contribute to constructing a more sustainable and resilient future.
In this challenging yet opportunity-filled scenario, innovation and entrepreneurship become crucial. We cannot address social issues like social inclusion or waste management with conventional approaches and isolated solutions. A holistic and collaborative response is required, involving all sectors of society, from governments and businesses to universities and local communities, contributing to common goals and benefiting an increasing number of individuals.
Technology and innovation have proven to be the key to creating effective and sustainable solutions over time, and this call to action implies the urgency of leveraging these tools to develop and implement innovative, concrete, and sustainable solutions.
The "Educations with a lasting impact" program stands as an annual beacon of inspiration, and this year, its radiance is heightened with the convergence of the Global Entrepreneurship Week. On this occasion, we enthusiastically celebrate the fruits of the diligent work of teachers and students who have embraced innovation as a guiding principle. The synergy between education and entrepreneurship manifests vibrantly, showcasing pioneering projects and pedagogical approaches that transcend conventional barriers.
The celebration of the Global Entrepreneurship Week not only recognizes tangible achievements but also the entrepreneurial spirit that propels educators and students to challenge the status quo. This program is not just a testament to academic excellence but also a tribute to the transformative capacity of education when fueled by creativity and entrepreneurial vision. In this intersection of teaching and entrepreneurship, we glimpse a more dynamic educational future with a lasting impact on society.
It is in this context that the need for society to come together to promote innovation, support sustainable entrepreneurship, and adopt practices that respect and restore our balance with nature arises. This gave birth to "Educators with a lasting impact," a pioneering program driven by the impact consultancy iLab* – with the aim of recognizing and empowering university professors who not only teach but inspire their students to be agents of change and catalysts for innovation.
"Educators with a lasting impact" goes beyond the transmission of knowledge; it challenges teachers and students to embrace the entrepreneurial mindset and innovation to address the most pressing challenges in their communities.
This program is a statement of intent, a call to action, and an opportunity to link education with entrepreneurship and innovation to solve real-world problems that afflict the world.
At the heart of this initiative is a tripartite approach: the teacher, the student, and the community, all connected in a virtuous cycle of entrepreneurship and innovation, where the teacher is the leader of this triad and acts as a catalyst. They convey knowledge and instill a passion for creatively solving problems. Armed with tools and innovative methodologies from iLab, the teacher guides students toward a constant search for actions that generate transformative solutions.
The student, in this context, imagines, activates, and disseminates solutions, supported by the inspiring vision of their teacher. This teacher-student connection is where theory merges with practice, giving rise to a generation of critical thinkers, problem solvers, and agents of change.
The community, the third vertex of this virtuous triangle, is not a mere recipient of solutions but an active participant. It engages in co-creation, shares the initiative, and evaluates the impact of projects. This interaction of the three parties drives problem-solving based on the real needs of society.
We initiated our exploration in June 2023, seeking educators ready to spread their enthusiasm, make a difference, and take their place as inspiring agents of change. Over 300 university professors across Mexico responded to our call, marking the beginning of a meticulous selection process.
Over the next two months, the iLab team collaborated with the 357 applicants through training, tools, and fieldwork, aiming to identify situations that affected their communities and had the potential to transform into significant successes through creative, simple, yet high-impact solutions.
In this process, we evaluated the professors and selected those with the motivation, time, influence, and ideas capable of making a positive impact on the community. From the initial 357 applicants, we chose the 30 professors and their students who would receive iLab training and be accompanied over the next four months to work on high-impact community projects.
The selected 30 professors were instructed in iLab's methodology, Systemic Problem Solving, which proposes that the innovation process begins by identifying elements in the environment and addressing them as a tool that broadens perspective to optimally apply available resources and capabilities once the system causing the problem is established.
For iLab, innovation is a systemic process that addresses variables, cause-and-effect relationships, and challenges from a holistic perspective. This methodology becomes the backbone supporting the projects generated by these visionary teachers and their students.
Over four intensive months, these educators and their students immersed themselves in the deep analysis of their community. They identified entrenched problems, understood the
causes and consequences, and co-designed simple, sustainable, and scalable solutions. This initiative has been an active foray into social entrepreneurship, where ideas become tangible projects with real potential to transform entire communities.
iLab's innovation process is characterized by the interaction between information, its sources, and the varied profiles of experts in the corresponding discipline, collectively positioning participants as experts. This allows them to adopt a holistic view of the problems they seek to solve and a comprehensive understanding of the business process. This process begins with identifying the variables defining the problem, generating them through broad consideration of options.
Creativity comes into play when establishing connections between variables, revealing new opportunities for learning. From there, a direction is conceived in which the variables and their cause-and-effect relationships lead to the definition of what must be created. This complete system builds desirability, feasibility, and profitability for the opportunity.
The connection between "Educators with a lasting impact" and entrepreneurship doesn't stop at the creation of solutions; it extends to the implementation and scalability stage. The selected teachers not only receive training in innovation but also benefit from personalized mentoring provided by graduates of iLab's ThinkCamp program. These mentors guide educators in validating their hypotheses, building minimum viable products, and preparing robust sales proposals.
Furthermore, connections with experts from various fields and potential beneficiaries help solidify the projects. Monthly work sessions and additional workshops enhance these teachers' capacity to translate their visions into tangible and sustainable actions.
The numbers support this statement: 30 professors from 27 universities in 18 states across Mexico have generated 35 high-impact community projects, involving 205 students. Beyond the numbers, the direct and indirect beneficiaries, totaling over 43,000 individuals, testify to the tangible impact of these projects on society. Additionally, 48 partnerships were established with private companies, local and state governments, and universities.
In the southern part of Mexico City, the "Kostik" project led by Professor Regina María Medina focuses on supporting small businesses through a solidarity e-commerce platform.
Professor Beetzabe Rosado Flores from the Technological Institute of Higher Studies of Ecatepec leads an initiative to address pollution and improper management of used cooking oil, constructing, along with her students, a biodiesel plant to prevent water pollution and promote sustainable practices.
In Villa Milpa Alta, Professor Mayli del Refugio and her students propose algae bioreactors to produce hydrogen, addressing the severe shortage of domestic gas services in the community, contributing to their energy autonomy and environmental sustainability.
Under the direction of Gustavo Eduardo Pérez, a team from the Universidad Politécnica Metropolitana of Hidalgo develops biodegradable urns for depositing ashes in natural
environments, aiming to transform the farewell process into a meaningful and ecological experience, contributing to reforestation and reducing pollution in cemeteries.
These are just a few examples of how teachers have become agents of change and catalysts for innovation and the use of technology to address pressing issues in their communities.
Each of the 35 projects aims to generate a positive impact on the community, addressing social, economic, and environmental problems in an innovative and sustainable manner, and their impact has been growing. Through iLab's social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, we reached a total of 81,625 people, with 163,897 content views and 8,267 interactions.
Simultaneously, the developed projects have established their Instagram accounts, sharing content to spread awareness of the benefits of their initiatives and establish partnerships. So far, they have gathered an audience of 5,292 followers interested in their proposals and contributions to the community. These numbers reflect the positive impact and growing visibility of both iLab and individual projects through social media.
The projects, born from the vision of teachers who are truly leaving a mark on their students and communities, will present themselves to a panel of experts in innovation, entrepreneurship, and social impact in January 2024. Three of them will receive financial support of 50,000 Mexican pesos each to propel their initiatives to an even larger scale.
This program, more than a celebration of teaching, is a testament to how education can be the catalyst for innovation and social entrepreneurship. By connecting visionary teachers, passionate students, and dedicated communities, "Educators with a lasting impact" is not only making a difference today but is also planting the seeds for a future where education and entrepreneurship intertwine to create sustainable and transformative solutions.
As a result of this initiative, in collaboration with LID Editorial, we will develop a program book. It will serve as a playbook, including methodologies and tools for the development of such projects. However, the most significant aspect of this milestone is that the teachers and students will be CO-AUTHORS of the book, sharing their experiences, stories, and achievements. We will work with them starting in January 2024, and the book will be available in bookstores nationwide from September.
The primary objective of this community book is to give visibility to the work of teachers and the efforts of students so that the projects are known, disseminated, and continue to grow as they are adopted by more community members and supported by other key stakeholders. This book will be the university's hallmark in the community.
*iLab is a business innovation consulting firm with operations across Latin America dedicated to transforming ideas into solutions with a positive impact. Their methodology and tools are the result of their participation in the MIT Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program and are designed to develop skills and practical knowledge that foster culture and activate a triple effect in society: the transformation of individuals passing through their classrooms, the creation of innovative products, and the economic impact of such innovation.