Teachers' and students' perspectives on the mastery, employability, and strengthening of university students in skills for lifelong learning

The strengthening of graduates' competencies is directly related to the teaching-learning process, in which the main actors are teachers and students. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to identify the perception of both actors, regarding the key competencies of lifelong learning required for employability. Therefore, the eight competencies for lifelong learning were considered as dimensions, as indicators: mastery, impact on employability and the need for strengthening. The study was carried out using a quantitative analytical methodology, with a cross-sectional, non-experimental and descriptive design. The instrument applied was a hierarchy of closed questions to university professors in Colombia and Mexico. The results were compared with previous research focused on the students' perception. This confirmed the hypotheses put forward, regarding the perceptions of lifelong learning competencies among teachers and university students. The academic community is invited to reflect on and question the function and functioning of universities; considering the perceptions of university students and taking into account gender and the conditions of the work environment, where technology becomes an essential actor.