Universidad de Piura Adopts Humanistic Pedagogy and Individualized Coaching Model

The Universidad de Piura (UDEP) is modernizing progressive education, a movement originating in the late 19th-century New Education Movement, by centering its pedagogy on humanistic principles. This approach fundamentally reorients the educational focus from standardized, class-based curricula to the individual student as the primary organizational element. UDEP is promoting this vision through professional development initiatives, including the upcoming sixth edition of the "Educa UDEP 2025" program, scheduled for the morning of Saturday, November 8, at the Piura campus.

This philosophical alignment prioritizes the development of the whole person, integrating emotional intelligence alongside intellectual skill acquisition to foster personal growth and self-actualization. Dr. Pablo Ferreiro de Babot, a professor at UDEP and the PAD Escuela de Dirección, champions this humanistic framework, asserting the inherent uniqueness of every individual. Ferreiro defines authentic pedagogy as an act of service, where the university student dictates the professor's professional commitment. This service orientation mandates that educators cultivate virtues such as patience and constancy.

Ferreiro redefines the educator's function, advocating for the role of an individualized coach rather than a conventional lecturer. This coaching model requires trust, professional secrecy, and consistent availability in student accompaniment, contrasting with secondary education's primary goal of teaching students how to think. The effectiveness of an educator is measured by the dedication of time, the sharing of knowledge, and support provided for the complete development of core human dimensions: freedom, coexistence, knowledge, and love. Ferreiro encapsulates this balanced approach with the directive "exijan con cariño" (demand with affection) and advocates for evaluations that actively stimulate engagement.

The "Educa UDEP 2025" event is a collaborative undertaking involving UDEP's Commercial and Marketing Management, the Faculty of Education Sciences, and the EdTech Latam consultancy. This program, which has been recognized as a finalist in Spain's international Corresponsables competition for its social impact, aims to enhance teachers' technological competencies for 21st-century classrooms. The Faculty of Education Sciences, established in 1986, supports this mission by offering six undergraduate careers and postgraduate specializations, including Master's degrees in Psychopedagogy and Educational Management, underscoring the institution's commitment to nurturing citizens capable of acting upon humanistic values.