Business competencies in the academic programs at ESCA UST

Abstract

In the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the COVID-19 pandemic, which further accelerated digitalization, the adaptation of higher education to the evolving demands of the labor market is crucial. The digital era not only demands the development of technological competencies but also the strengthening of future-oriented skills and business-oriented approach to work to ensure that graduates from the programs offered by the Escuela Superior de Comercio y Administración, Unidad Santo Tomás (ESCA UST) of the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) successfully integrate into the dynamic and uncertain labor market. Therefore, this research focuses on analyzing how business competencies are developed in ESCA UST’s academic programs in the digital era, aiming to propose strategies that foster their development. This study operates within a theoretical framework that emphasizes a socio-constructivist approach and aligns fully with the principles of IPN’s Institutional Educational Model and UNESCO’s 21st Century Competencies. This partial research report not only seeks to assess the relevance of the curricula, but also aims to empower students to lead in a highly competitive business environment with these strategies.