«Passionate about transformative education and international collaborative research, I define myself as a professional committed to pedagogical innovation, networked teamwork, and the generation of knowledge with global impact.»
Dr. Fernando Vera is an internationally recognized education researcher and academic leader with expertise in competency-based education, artificial intelligence in higher education, and sustainable development. He holds a PhD from the Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea/University of the Basque Country (Spain), awarded Cum Laude with International Doctorate distinction, and a Doctorate in Educational Sciences from UAC (Chile). He also holds multiple master’s degrees in educational technology, administration, curriculum, and evaluation. As the Founder and CEO of the International Network of Education Researchers (REDIIE) and Editor-in-Chief of Revista Transformar. Dr. Vera leads global initiatives that promote collaborative, interdisciplinary research. His work includes major projects on professional and generic competencies in Latin America, such as the International Collaborative Research Project (PICI), and active leadership in clusters focused on AI in education, digital skills, and active learning. He has conducted academic residencies and delivered lectures at Zhejiang Gongshang University (China), EduSoft (Israel), University of the Basque Country (Spain), EAFIT University (Colombia), TecnNM (Mexico) and University of Cordoba (Argentina). He has also served on the scientific committees of international conferences including CINTE 2925 (Spain), ITEA 2024 (Malasya), ITEA 2025 (Thailand) and (ICICE 2026 (Spain). Actively engaged with the UN 2030 Agenda, Dr. Vera is affiliated with AASHE, UNESCO-UNEVOC, SEEd (UK), and other global networks. His research continues to influence transformative practices in global education, with a focus on innovation, critical thinking, and the future of learning.
E-mail: fernandovera@rediie.cl | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4326-1660 |Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drfernandovera/
In January 2025, Fernando launched the International Collaborative Research Project (PICI), a strategic initiative aimed at addressing the challenges of higher education in Latin America and other regions. This project promotes collaboration among researchers from various countries to analyze, develop, and propose innovative strategies that enhance student training and align with the demands of the 21st century. PICI focuses on key areas such as active learning, applied artificial intelligence, and the development of core competencies. The project is structured into specialized research clusters, including: the Professional Competency Research Cluster (NuCOPO), the Artificial Intelligence in Education Research Cluster (NUAI-ED), the Digital Competencies Research Cluster (NuCODI), and the Active Learning Research Cluster (Nu-AA). These clusters operate within specific lines of inquiry to amplify REDIIE’s international academic impact and foster scientific collaboration and transformative change in higher education.
In April 2024, Fernando initiated an ambitious study on professional competencies among engineering students at the Ibero-American level, serving as the principal investigator. This project addresses a growingly relevant topic in education and involves collaboration with researchers across Ibero-America, including engineers from Chile, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico. The diversity of perspectives ensures a comprehensive analysis and enriches the study’s findings. This initiative is part of REDIIE’s broader internationalization strategy in the Latin American region.
In June 2024, Fernando began serving as academic advisor and co-investigator on a major research project on generic competencies (2024–2028), invited by the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at the National University of Córdoba (Argentina). This invitation followed his outstanding doctoral residency at the faculty and his contributions to transformative higher education, highlighting him as an innovative, globally connected scholar.
Since 2023, Fernando has been researching generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), becoming an internationally recognized expert in the field. His pioneering work has led to multiple invitations as a keynote speaker and peer reviewer for indexed journals and projects involving AI integration in higher education. Institutions that have invited him include the National University of Córdoba (Argentina), Simón Bolívar University (Colombia), TecNM Zamora (Mexico), UNAD (Colombia), Andrés Bello University (Chile), the University of the Basque Country (Spain), the University of Magdalena (Colombia), and the Autonomous University of Coahuila (Mexico), among others. He also served on the Scientific Committee of ITEA 2024 (The First International Conference on Intelligent Technology for Educational Applications) held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, underscoring the significance of his work in this emerging field.
In April-May 2022, during his research residency at EAFIT University (Colombia), Fernando collaborated as an expert in a project to co-create innovative educational resources (Makerspaces) with schoolteachers from the Antioquia Department in the municipality of Rionegro. He shared his international experience in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics) education and provided valuable feedback for project improvement.
In June-July 2022, during his research residency at the National Technological Institute of Mexico (TecNM), campuses Zamora and Jiquilpan, Fernando delivered several lectures on the internationalization of higher education in the 21st century and the importance of developing generic or differential competencies among undergraduate students.
In April-May 2023, during his research residency at the National University of Córdoba (Argentina), Fernando was invited to design and teach a course on active learning for faculty at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences. He also participated as a speaker in an international webinar on artificial intelligence in higher education and was invited as an academic advisor to a four-year research project on the development of generic competencies among undergraduate students.
As a result of his European residency in June-July 2019, Fernando established strong connections with educational research groups at the University of Alicante (UA), Spain. During this stay, he collaborated closely with renowned education researchers, expanding his professional network and building valuable international academic relationships.
Since 2015, Fernando has actively promoted the United Nations 2030 Agenda across all his learning and development ecosystems. He is affiliated with international organizations such as the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE, USA), the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP, USA), and Sustainability and Environmental Education (SEEd, UK).
Between February and April 2009, Fernando led a group of English teachers for the Spoken English Promotion Project (SEPP) as International Coordinator, selected by the University of Viña del Mar (Chile). The project was carried out at Zhejiang Gongshang University (ZJSU) in Hangzhou, China. During his time in China, Fernando officially represented the University of Aconcagua before senior officials of Qingdao Binhai University in Shandong Province and was invited to various academic activities, including lectures and meetings with university leaders.
From September to November 2000, Fernando completed an academic residency at Edusoft (Israel) to compare second-language English learning in Israel versus English as a foreign language learning in Chile, mediated by interactive multimedia using the English Discoveries system. This was part of an English project he directed at Central University of Chile.
Fernando is a member of several global academic communities, including UNESCO-UNEVOC since 2013. He has also presented at international conferences hosted by prominent universities such as EAFIT University (Colombia), the National University of Villa María (Argentina), the University of the Basque Country (Spain), San Jorge University (Spain), the University of Porto (Portugal), the University of Alicante (Spain), the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain), and the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic).
Additionally, he has been invited as a distinguished speaker at institutions including Simón Bolívar University (Colombia), Remington University (Colombia), UNAD (Colombia), the National University of the Altiplano of Puno (Peru), TecNM Zamora (Mexico), Andrés Bello University (Chile), the Autonomous University of Coahuila (Mexico), and the University of the Basque Country (Spain).
Currently, Fernando is engaged in an extensive international agenda. His expertise and commitment to educational improvement have led him to participate in various conferences and seminars around the world, where he shares his knowledge and experience on the implementation of innovative pedagogical and academic management strategies. The growing demand for his insights and leadership highlights his strong reputation and the global impact of his work.
His research interests include:
- 21st-century competencies
- Learning styles
- Active learning methodologies
- Intelligent organizations
- Educational technology (flipped classroom, Web 2.0 tools, artificial intelligence)
- Futures thinking
Academic production (Google Scholar)
Recent International Conferences:
- Vera, F. (2017a). Competencias genéricas para el desarrollo sostenible. Foro Internacional de Experiencias Universitarias. Universidad Nacional de Villa María (UNVM). Córdoba-Argentina.
- Vera, F. (2017b). Competencias blandas asociadas al emprendimiento. Congreso EAFIT Innovadora. Universidad EAFIT, Medellín- Colombia.
- Vera, F. (2018a). Aprendizaje inverso: Empoderando a los estudiantes para el siglo XXI. Congreso EAFIT Innovadora. Universidad EAFIT, Medellín-Colombia.
- Vera, F. (2018b). Tecnología digital para la inclusión social: experiencia en la Universidad de Aconcagua. Congreso intencional Ikasnabar. Universidad del País Vasco (UPV-EHU). Bilbao-España.
- Vera, F. (2019a). Experiencia en pregrado con modelo flipped classroom. Conferencia Internacional de Experiencias Docentes. Universidad San Jorge (USJ). Zaragoza, España.
- Vera, F. (2019b). Desarrollo de competencias genéricas mediante modelo flippled classroom. VIII Conferencia Internacional de Aprendizaje y Educación. Universidad de Porto. Portugal.
- Vera, F. (2020). Desarrollo de competencias genéricas en estudiantes de grado. INNOVAESTIC, Universidad de Alicante España.
- Vera, F. y García, S. (2020). Competencias genéricas en la formación de estudiantes de enfermería. CODES 2020, Universidad de La Serena, Chile.
- Vera, F., García, S. y Ferriz, A. (2020). Uso de la técnica One-Minute Paper como evaluación formativa en estudiantes universitarios. CODES 2020, Universidad de La Serena, Chile.
- Vera, F. (2021). Desarrollo del pensamiento crítico en estudiantes de enfermería. IX Jornadas de Docencia Universitaria, Universidad de San Jorge, España.
- Vera, F. (2021). Desarrollo de competencias genéricas en estudiantes de enfermería INNOVAESTIC, Universidad de Alicante, España.
- Vera, F. , Morales, M. y Villanueva, G. (2022). Aprendizaje activo vs. enseñanza tradicional: Estudio de caso con estudiantes de grado de un Tecnológico mexicano. II Congreso Internacional de Tecnología e Innovación Educativa (CITIE 2022).
- Vera, F., Díaz-Vázquez, A. (2022). Percepciones de estudiantes sobre el Programa Delfín: Estudio de caso en dos Tecnológicos mexicanos. II Congreso Internacional de Tecnología e Innovación Educativa (CITIE 2022).
- Vera, F. (2022). Percepciones de docentes sobre el modelo de aula inversa en grado. VII Congreso Internacional Derecho, Filosofía, Economía, Sociología, Psicología y Educación en un Mundo Global. Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, 15-18 de noviembre de 2022. Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, República Dominicana.
- Vera, F. (2022).Desarrollo del pensamiento crítico en estudiantes de grado de una universidad privada chilena. II Congreso Internacional de Tecnología e Innovación Educativa CITIE 2022 ISSN 2735-7066. REDIIE.
- Vera, F. (2023). Enhancing English language learning in undergraduate students using ChatGPT: A quasi-experimental study. I Congreso Internacional de Aprendizaje Activo CIAA 2023. ISSN 2810-6423. REDIIE.
- Vera, F. (2023). Desarrollo de competencias genéricas en la educación superior. Estudio de caso en dos tecnológicos mexicanos. II Encuentro Internacional de Investigación Doctoral en Educación. organizado por el Programa de Doctorado en Educación de la Universidad de Tarapacá, 11 y 12 de diciembre de 2023.
- Vera, F. (2024). Transformación Educativa: Explorando el Impacto de la Inteligencia Artificial en la Educación Superior [Conferencista invitado]. Jornadas Docentes 2024. Inteligencia Artificial en Educación en Ingeniería. Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Andrés Bello. Chile.
- Vera, F. (2024). Explorando las sinergias entre la neurociencia, la IA y el aprendizaje activo. II Congreso Internacional de Aprendizaje Activo (CIAA 2024). REDIIE, Chile (híbrido).
- Vera, F. (2024). Infusion of sustainability into the curriculum of Higher Education Institutions in Chile. WREN Symposium 2024. Australia (virtual).
- Vera, F. (2024). Competencias en Ingeniería para el siglo XXI: Transformación e Innovación. V Encuentro Internacional de Transformación Digital en CCAV, UNAD, Sagahún (Colombia).
- Vera, F. (2024). Integración de la IA generativa en la educación superior. III Congreso Internacional de Nuevas Tecnologías y Tendencias en la Educación (CINTE_2024). Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (España).
- Vera, F. (2025). Integración de la IA generativa en la educación superior. IV Congreso Internacional de Nuevas Tecnologías y Tendencias en la Educación (CINTE_2024). Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (España).
Visiting Positions:
2025 – Member of the Cordinating Committee and Plenary Speaker. International Conference on Infrastructure and Construction Engineering (ICICE-2026). May 20-23, 2026. Spain.
2025 – Member of the Scientific Committee, IV International Congress on New Technologies and Trends in Education (CINTE_2025), organized by the University of the Basque Country / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV-EHU), Spain.
2025 – Scientific Committee Member, ITEA (The First International Conference on Intelligent Technology for Educational Applications), May 19–21, 2025, Thailand.
2024 – Scientific Committee Member, ITEA (The First International Conference on Intelligent Technology for Educational Applications), July 20–21, 2024, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2024–present – Peer Reviewer, Revista Horizonte de Enfermería, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
2023–present – Peer Reviewer and Scientific Committee Member, Revista Retos (Q2 – Scopus indexed).
2023–present – Scientific Committee Member, Revista Kronos, Universidad Europea (Spain).
2023–present – External Advisor, Research Project on Generic and Specific Competencies, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, National University of Córdoba (Argentina).
2023 – Lecturer for a course on teaching competencies, Graduate School, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, National University of Córdoba (Argentina).
2022–present – Scientific Committee Member, Revista Retos (Spain).
2022–2023 – Advisory Committee Member, Bachelor of Education Program, Universidad de Tarapacá (Chile).
2022–present – Peer Reviewer, Revista de Investigación Educativa, Complutense University of Madrid (Spain).
2021 – Collaborator, Education Research Team, Universidad de Tarapacá (Chile). Also led a joint research project on generic competencies as part of a comparative Ibero-American study.
2020–present – Peer Reviewer, Journal of Scientific Research and Reports (India).
2020–present – Peer Reviewer, Revista Magis, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (Colombia).
2020–present – Scientific Committee Member, Revista Kronos, Universidad Europea de Madrid (Spain).
2020 – Peer Reviewer, III International Congress CDIEES 2020 (Colombia).
2019–2022 – Research Group Member, Redes-I3CE, University of Alicante (Spain).
2017 – Peer Reviewer, ASHEE Conference & Expo (USA).
2016 – Peer Reviewer, ASHEE Conference & Expo (USA).
His networks:
- Red Internacional de Investigadores en Educación (REDIIE) (Chile) (Founder & CEO, 2020)
- EHU en Red. Universidad del País Vasco (España) (member since 2020)
- The Association for Experiential Learning (AEE) (USA) (member since 2016)
- UNESCO-UNEVOC TVET (Germany) (member since 2013)
- The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) (USA) (member since 2015)
- The Foundation for Critical Thinking (USA) (member since 2013)
- Asia TEFL (South Korea) (member since 2009)