Resumen —Con el objetivo de promover la reflexion acerca de la relacion investigacion y conocer, como procesos fundamentales para la formacion estudiantil y actualizacion profesional del docente universitario, se procede a estudiar desde la investigacion documental el estado actual de tales componentes basicos. Para su desarrollo se consideraron tres componentes interrelacionados correspondientes a: La realidad como unidad y distincion, desde la optica constructivista de Luhmann, la educacion humanistica, en su condicion social y contextual, seguida de la pedagogia critica y las competencias investigativas, un proceso que parte de lo general a lo especifico. Se resalta la insoslayable urgencia de transitar individual y colectivamente la investigacion y el conocer para renovar los saberes. El reto esta, en el compromiso de intervenir proactivamente y desarrollar la academia en optica formativa epocal. Palabras clave: Innovacion academica, investigacion, mundo contemporaneo, universidad. Research and academic innovation in the contemporary world Abstract — With the aim of promoting reflection on the relationship between research and knowledge, as fundamental processes for student training and professional updating of the university teacher, we proceed to study from documentary research the current state of such basic components. For its development, three interrelated components were considered corresponding to: Reality as a unit and distinction, from the constructivist perspective of Luhmann, Humanistic Education, in its social and contextual condition, followed by critical pedagogy and investigative competences, a process that starts from the general to the specific. It highlights the unavoidable urgency to individually and collectively travel research and knowledge to renew knowledge. The challenge lies in the commitment to proactively intervene and develop the academy in epocal formative optics. Keywords: Academic Innovation, research, Contemporary World, university