IE University addresses the future of higher education in India amid the rise of AI

Its Rector, Manuel Muñiz, participated in the IC3 Presidential Forum in Mumbai, where he discussed the challenges facing university leadership amid technological transformation

IE University Rector Manuel Muñiz took part in the IC3 Presidential Forum in Mumbai, an international gathering that brings together leaders from education, higher education and industry to reflect on the key challenges facing education today.

The forum was held as part of the 10th Annual IC3 Conference & Expo, which took place on 19 and 20 August at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. The theme of the 2026 edition was “Looking Deeply – From Information to Insight”, highlighting the need to move beyond access to information towards reflection, understanding and the development of skills that enable students to navigate a rapidly changing environment.

Manuel Muñiz participated in the panel “Hope and Audacity in an Era of Ambiguity”, which explored how educational institutions can exercise leadership in a context shaped by uncertainty and technological change.

The IE University Rector shared the panel with Jenny Rickard, CEO of Common App; Rod Smith, Group Managing Director of International Education at Cambridge University Press & Assessment; and Shubhanshu Shukla, astronaut at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The discussion was moderated by Vanita Uppal OBE, Director of The British School New Delhi.

During his intervention, Muñiz stressed the need for universities to preserve some of their fundamental principles, including rigour, independence of thought and the development of critical judgement, while at the same time decisively addressing the changes that are transforming education.

Among these challenges, artificial intelligence occupies a prominent place, as its development is reshaping not only learning processes, but also the world of work and the very ways in which knowledge is produced and accessed.

Muñiz also addressed the concept of bold leadership in higher education. In his view, universities’ ability to adapt should not simply be driven by the speed of change, but should be grounded in clarity, conviction and the capacity to evolve while maintaining a clear sense of purpose.

A decade connecting schools and universities

The IE University Rector’s participation took place during the tenth edition of the annual conference organised by the IC3 Movement (International Career and College Counseling), an international initiative aimed at strengthening academic and career guidance for students and fostering collaboration between schools, universities and other stakeholders across the education ecosystem.

Since its creation in 2016, IC3 has developed an international community connecting educational institutions, universities and organisations across numerous countries. Its annual conference brings together representatives from secondary and higher education every August to exchange experiences and address issues related to guidance and counselling, university access and the future of education.

Spain’s presence at the IC3 Presidential Forum also included Miguel Costa, Dean of Admissions & Outreach at IE University, a member of the 2026 Presidential Committee, the body responsible for providing leadership and strategic vision to the forum and fostering dialogue among leaders from schools, universities and industry.

IE University’s participation in this event in India strengthens international academic exchange at a particularly significant time for relations between the two countries and for joint reflection on issues such as artificial intelligence, the future of work and the transformation of higher education.