The financing will support the construction of two new sustainable campuses in Villa María and Río Cuarto, expanding educational infrastructure in the interior of Córdoba Province and strengthening the connection between university education and labor market needs.
Córdoba, Argentina, October 20, 2026 – Universidad Siglo 21 and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, announced a financing package to expand access to modern and sustainable educational infrastructure in Argentina and strengthen training aligned with labor market needs.
The transaction includes a financing facility of up to US$20 million, allowing Universidad Siglo 21 to access resources up to that amount based on its investment needs. In an initial phase, IFC will commit US$10 million to support the construction of two new campuses in Villa María and Río Cuarto, in the province of Córdoba.
The new campuses will expand the university’s physical presence in two major cities in the interior of the province and complement its technology-based educational model and blended learning modalities. The investment also aims to strengthen the connection between higher education and the skills employers require, particularly in strategic sectors such as mining and energy.
“We are supporting Universidad Siglo 21 in bringing quality educational opportunities closer to more Argentines, where they live. This investment not only expands access to modern and sustainable educational infrastructure, but also seeks to strengthen the link between education and labor market needs, particularly in strategic sectors such as mining and energy,” said Patrick Avato, IFC Country Manager for Argentina.
The two buildings will seek EDGE certification, IFC’s green building standard that promotes more efficient use of energy, water, and materials. Construction of the Villa María campus is already underway and is expected to be completed in 2027. Construction of the Río Cuarto campus began in 2026 and is expected to be completed in 2028.
“Our model relies on technology to reach people across the country, but a physical presence remains key: a campus is a place for people to come together and build roots in each city. Working with IFC enables us to add modern and efficient infrastructure in two strategic locations in Córdoba,” said Juan Carlos Rabbat, President and Founder of Universidad Siglo 21.
Universidad Siglo 21 has more than 90,000 students and over 110,000 graduates, with a presence across Argentina’s 23 provinces and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires through 320 University Support Centers. The new campuses will complement this network, strengthening blended learning programs and an academic offering aligned with the productive and labor market needs of each region.
The financing is complemented by IFC’s work through its Industry-Led Education initiative, which seeks to improve alignment between tertiary education and the skills demanded by the private sector. As part of this effort, Universidad Siglo 21 is strengthening its ties with employers and developing programs designed to respond to emerging talent needs, particularly in sectors such as mining and energy.
The agreement was signed at the Juan Carlos Rabbat Campus in Córdoba.
About Universidad Siglo 21
Universidad Siglo 21 is the private university most chosen by Argentines, according to official data from the National Ministry of Education’s University Statistics Yearbook. It was founded in 1995 by Juan Carlos Rabbat in the province of Córdoba. Its current Rector is Dr. Leonardo Medrano. Headquartered in the city of Córdoba, the university has a presence across Argentina’s 23 provinces and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires through 320 University Support Centers (CAUs).
Universidad Siglo 21 has more than 90,000 students and over 110,000 graduates. Its educational offering comprises 106 undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate degree programs delivered through five in-person and technology-enabled learning modalities, as well as more than 190 lifelong learning programs.
In 2023, it launched Insight 21, a think tank that brings together Academic Institutes, Trend Observatories, and Science Labs to provide companies and organizations with accurate and relevant knowledge to support decision-making. Siglo 21 is a regional leader in educational innovation through initiatives such as the Innova Educa 21 International Congress, which since 2017 has helped shape the agenda around the issues confronting education systems in Argentina and the region.Visit Universidad Siglo 21
About IFC
IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2026, IFC committed a record $105 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
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