"It is important for young people to understand the value of work as a transformative force in society."

The University of Navarra brought together more than a hundred alumni, friends and their families at the closing of the Alumni Meetings 2024 held recently in Mexico. Topics such as work, leadership, artificial intelligence or sustainability were addressed through a conversation between the University's president , María Iraburu (BIO'87 | PhD'92), and Altagracia Gómez, president of group Promotora Empresarial de Occidente. Also participating were Gabriela Delgado, general director of association 'A Favor de lo Mejor', as moderator, and Íñigo Gutiérrez (TECNUN'98 | PHD'04), director of Alumni-University of Navarra, as master of ceremonies. 

To start the dialogue, the concept of work and how technology has changed the way it is perceived today was discussed. For president, "many times young people receive negative messages towards work, which is worrying". She also wanted to emphasize that "it is important that young people see their value and feel that they can change the world". She also assured that "all people can act in their immediate environment, both in the institution where they work and in society, so it is worth developing this transforming quality". Altagracia Gómez, from her perspective as an entrepreneur, explained that the idea of work has been redefining itself. "Workers are looking for a certain holistic richness and are more demanding of their companies." 

The speakers were then able to talk about the value of the integral development of people. Both president and the entrepreneur agreed on the importance of people developing in a disruptive way and with interests so that they are not passive spectators. On the other hand, they were also able to discuss the keys to good leadership. For Professor Iraburu, it is important to move away from authoritarian leadership and move towards broad forms of leadership in which the main goal is "to bring out the maximum potential of each person with whom we work as a team". For Altagracia, one of the characteristics of good leadership is trust, "one must generate trust, but also have confidence in oneself," she said. The president also stressed that "initiative and the ability to lead generate builders of a more humane society who are not afraid of change but seek ways to take advantage of it". 

Regarding Artificial Intelligence, María Iraburu explained that there are two points of view that affect the university world. On the one hand, those who think that the new generations will not want to learn since there are tools that "give them everything done". On the other hand, those who consider AI as a "magic hand that knows where the truth is". However, he assured that both extremes are wrong. Finally, he explained that the University has set out challenge to learn about and incorporate artificial intelligence into its learning process and teaching with the goal to "show students its capabilities and its limits in a manager and informed way." From a business point of view, Gomez highlighted some of the societal challenges that AI brings. "The implementation of AI requires a great work in regulation as the amount of information it possesses must serve a positive purpose ."

Finally, the speakers were also able to address sustainability. For president the main goal is that each person, from their professional activity, should analyze whether their activity is improving the world from an environmental, social and economic point of view. However, he assured that "on many occasions sustainability falls as a burden on companies due to regulations or regulatory burdens that can threaten their productivity". In this aspect, "what the University can offer is the rigor and reliability of research", she said. The businesswoman also added that "sustainability should be the purpose of any business and of any person. We all have a great responsibility. 

The president also had the opportunity to directly address the Mexican alumni to thank them for their welcome and to explain some of the University's major projects, such as the Alumni Scholarships Program or the BIOMA Center. In addition, he also stressed the importance of not losing the link with the University after graduation. "It does the University a lot of good to continue on contact with its alumni. We are enriched by your concerns and educational needs so that we can offer you training throughout your life."

The event concluded with a farewell from the presenter, as well as Andrea Parra (COM'10 | MCPC'13), president of board Alumni Mexico. Attendees were able to continue exchanging ideas.