At Icesi, education is a serious and permanent commitment assumed by students to gather knowledge through research, study and practice. The Educational Project of the University establishes a compromise with the education of autonomous individuals who think, listen, analyze and judge, after compiling the pertinent information.  They are capable of learning by themselves, developing capacities of analysis and synthesis, thinking critically, proposing new solutions for new or old problems, having in mind new realities, appreciating life in all its expressions, having clear the historical and philosophical happenings which explain the current situations and project new horizons to humanity, because they are capable of leading change and possess an entrepreneurial spirit.

To accomplish this compromise, Icesi University has defined its educative model as one conformed of three axes:
1. Active Learning Strategies
2. Curricular Planning
3. Development of Capacities and Consolidation of Values

1. Active Learning Strategies

The first strategy is the Active Learning methodology through which the students are protagonists in their learning.  They construct their own knowledge, based on study, experience and practice.

The books and other materials used in the process become tools for the interpretation and the searching of multiple aspects of the study topics. The students develop and defend their own positions, comparing their points of view with others. The students have the capacity to think critically, to judge and to form opinions.

Full-time Professors with exclusiveness

The second strategy for the development of Active Learning is an excellent group of full-time professors who work exclusively for the University. For this reason, Icesi has made a particular effort to consolidate a team of professors of the highest personal and professional caliber; professors with strong vocations who serve as leaders in teaching, learning and research processes. These professors are characterized by their advanced academic formation, by their teaching ability, and by their professional experience. Twenty-seven percent of the full-time professors have a doctorate, forty-seven percent have a Masters degree and twenty percent have a Specialization.

The University also has an excellent group of adjunct professors. These professors, who teach on an hourly basis at the Icesi, are a select group of teachers and executives who, through their dedication to teaching and record of professional success, provide the balance between theoretical concepts and the practical vision so necessary for the comprehensive training of students. They are the designers and guides of educational experiences that maximize the teaching, learning and investigative processes.

Our Students

Students who attend Icesi are among the highest academic achievers from their high school graduating classes. They have also received high scores on their Colombian Icfes exams. This generally guarantees good performance and high utilization of the resources offered by the University. All curricular and extra curricular activities are aimed towards making students' time at the University a gratifying experience and at the same time preparation for a successful future career.

Students enjoy open dialogue and active participation with their professors and program Directors. They are constantly encouraged to make suggestions which are always considered. When their suggestions are utilized in the educational process, it is a great source of satisfaction to the student.

Our graduates are a fundamental part of the Icesi Community. The University appreciates the recognition given to them by companies who hire and make them part of their teams. Icesi stays in touch with its graduates to offer guidance with their need to keep updated through courses as the MBA, postgraduate studies and other special courses. The Alumni Office organizes reunions for all graduates to celebrate their 5th year of graduation from Icesi.

Small classes

The third strategy for Active Learning is small classes. The average class in the Icesi is 22 students—one of the best averages in Colombia. The ratio of full-time professors with exclusive dedication is 1 per 27 students. This facilitates the follow-up and direct support of the professor to the student, contributing to the development of high student performance.

2. Curricular Planning

The second axis of the educational model of the University refers to the aggregate of the subjects, grouped to educate integral professionals.

The Common Nucleus

•  The degrees at Icesi have a common nucleus of subjects that are organized by means of assignments in the areas of: Language and Communication, Logic, Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Philosophy, History, Social Sciences, Art, Literature and Cultural Studies. Students from all degree programs take classes in these subjects, which, in addition to education, allow them to know and value the importance of sharing learning spaces and practical work assignments with students studying different professions. It also permits students with high grades to study two simultaneous majors.

Professional Subjects

Each degree has a specific group of subjects natural to each discipline, which are also studied through an Active Learning methodology.

Professional Electives or Subjects in an area of Concentration

Some degrees offer the possibility of concentrating learning in specific areas that each student can choose according to his or her likes and personal interests. In these cases, certificates showing these concentrations are granted.

3. Development of Capacities and Consolidation of Values

The third axis of the Educational Model favors the development of capacities necessary to exercise each degree and the consolidation of the values defined by the University as necessary to create citizens of a fair and just society. The Icesi Community, from its Directors to professors and administrative staff, is dedicated to strengthening fundamental values through good example and deeds.  This contributes to the strengthening of the integral education of the students, that is, a liberal education combined with professionalism.

The following capacities are grouped operationally in four categories and are developed with the support of workshops in different subjects of the curriculum:

•    The capacity to relate with others in the expression of ideas and feelings, and in the transmission and reception of information.
•    The capacity of intellect including the aptitude of investigation, analysis, synthesis, conceptualization, management of information, systematic thinking, critical thinking, and solving of problems.  
•    The capacity of effective personal work which involves the capacity of planning, of effective performance, of the recognition of change, of innovation, of self-criticism, and permanent personal learning.
•    The capacity of teamwork which encompasses the capacities of leadership, interpersonal relations, working under pressure, and negotiation.

The ten values that the Icesi University has proposed to consolidate in its students are: responsibility, self-esteem, perseverance, autonomy, intellectual curiosity, honesty, justice, tolerance, solidarity, and respect for nature.