The Production of Knowledge During the 4th Industrial Revolution: A Mexican Case Study

Abstract

Higher education institutions play a critical role in research, innovation, and the production of knowledge, all of which are hallmarks of the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR). To avoid continuing at a disadvantage, countries utilize policies that facilitate the generation of knowledge and, as a result, have an impact on the country's development. In this context, we look for understanding how the production of knowledge policies are implemented in a public Mexican university in the period from 2018 to 2021. For this study, a case study and documentary research were used. The results indicate that there is a policy framework that promotes research, innovation and teaching according to the 4IR; however, a closer look at the persons in charge of the production reveals that some researchers produce recognized knowledge while others, with the lower academic training, lack any production.

African higher education institutions catching up: The potential of 4IR in closing the digital deficits

“…The 4IR university environment will use technology to enhance scholarship and improve research and knowledge. Sanchez-Cruz [22] affirms:…”

“…Therefore, as higher education role-players focus on 4IR, they need to explore how this can enhance the growth of the engaged African institutions of higher learning. Sanchez-Cruz [22] links the effective knowledge production to the 4 th Industrial Revolution. He states that there is a relationship between the 4th IR's policies assist in knowledge production and the country's development.…”

“…The African university will embrace transformation by acknowledging the huge steps they need to take in recognising the potency of 4IR even in empowering them to enhance their agenda of decolonising their institutions. Sanchez-Cruz [22] points out that great changes "have been developed in the virtual environment such as the Big Data, smart cities, the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence, which are essential tools for managing the new era, known as the 4IR. This means that our universities ought to be ready and prepare new ways in which they will collaborate with other role-players including communities and other local and international institutions.…”