Industry 4.0 and virtual engineering education in Latin America

Abstract

Industry 4.0 it's characterized by its flexibility and innovation. Also, its implementation of digital media is creating the concept of a "Digital Factory'' This is thanks to the contributions of the first three industrial revolutions. The industry in Latin America is different from Europe and North America, given that the social and cultural aspects left an evident mark on its behavior. Between them, it's worth mentioning limitations on freedom on the Latin American governments, the arrival of populism, and dictatorships on the government; lack of investment, rooted culture and religion on people, and second-grade manufactory, among others.

In the educational context, there exists a lack of access to superior education for its elevated costs. Only a few can continue their formal education. In addition, the study plan for engineering majors is not updated for the industry's needs, besides overlooking the need to teach essential languages like English.

The emerging of new technologies. The birth of new professionals to face them leaves enough evidence of the shortcoming of the study plan, the need to include new competencies in the curriculum. Also, lack of capacitation by the professors, there are adaptation problems to the virtual education system. It must develop a new study program that combines the best characteristics of both methods and allows a better development for the student.