Author: SG CSUCA

Strengthening regional work through the appointment of a presidency in three CSUCA systems

Central America and the Caribbean, August 11 and 12, 2025

In accordance with the operating rules of the Central American University Confederation (CSUCA), where the CSUCA Presidency rotates annually among the full member countries, the University of San Carlos of Guatemala, through its Rector, Walter Mazariegos, is currently coordinating the Presidency's functions. On August 11 and 12, several virtual meetings were held to appoint the presidencies of the three major systems that comprise the Central American University Council.

They are the Central American Higher Education Internationalization System (SIESCA), the Central American System for Evaluation and Harmonization of Higher Education (SICEVAES), and the Central American and Caribbean Regional System for Research and Postgraduate Studies (SIRCIP), led by MSc. Olga María Moscoso, Dr. Brenda Marroquín, and Dr. Alice Burgos, respectively.

MSc. Carlos Alvarado, Secretary General of CSUCA, highlighted the importance of the work carried out by each of the systems: “The development of collaborative work is important for the regional benefit of higher education, taking into account that SIESCA promotes the institutionalization of internationalization by promoting the quality of the CSUCA member universities, SICEVAES is the system that promotes the culture of quality and evaluation, and SIRCIP strengthens, guides, supports, coordinates, harmonizes, and integrates research and postgraduate studies, with a regional focus; each of the systems presents great challenges, which must be addressed by each of the systems.”.

For his part, MA Walter Mazariegos, rector of USAC and president of CSUCA, mentioned the commitment from the university: “From the University of San Carlos of Guatemala, we offer our commitment and support to the development of the work proposed by the systems, through the leadership of the professionals who assume the presidency of them. We know their work, we know their trajectory, and we know the vocation with which they assume this responsibility.”.

Meanwhile, MA Antonio Medina, Dr. Wilson Mejía, and Mtro. Radhamés Silverio mentioned the importance for them of being able to lead each of the systems, since it is essential to be involved in regional work from each sector in academia.

And MSc. Olga María Moscoso, Dr. Brenda Marroquín and Dr. Alice Burgos, pledged to assume their presidencies with commitment, responsibility and taking on the coordination of a dynamic and collaborative work for the good functioning for the benefit of public higher education in the region.

It is worth noting that four systems, according to their regulations, stipulate that the presidency of the system should be exercised by the country assuming the presidency of the CSUCA. The transfer of the Regional University Information and Communication System (SIREICU) remains pending and will be formalized during the X SIREICU General Assembly, to be held soon at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

These changes strengthen regional university integration, ensuring the continuity of internationalization, evaluation, research and communication processes that promote the quality, relevance and solidarity cooperation of higher education in Central America and the Caribbean.

El Salvador strengthens community analysis on gender equality within the framework of Project 7-GT UES

San Luis Talpa, La Paz, July 30, 2025

In the hamlet of El Hervedor, located in the Santa Clara cooperative farm, the workshop entitled “Socialization and evaluation of results of the gender equity workshops” was carried out, developed as part of the actions of Project 7-GT UES.

The activity was led by teachers from the Departments of Rural Development and Phytotechnics of the University of El Salvador (UES), who have accompanied the community training process from a participatory and transformative perspective.

During the workshop, the main progress made in the processes of awareness and reflection on gender were presented and analyzed, addressing fundamental issues such as empowerment, community leadership, gender roles and stereotypes still present in local dynamics.

The results demonstrate active and committed participation from the community, which allowed for the identification of significant achievements on the path toward greater gender equality. The event was deemed a success, both for its impact on strengthening the social fabric and for its contribution to achieving the project's objectives in the region.

With a spirit of integration and commitment to student life, the IX Central American University Sports Games are being held at UNAH

Tegucigalpa, July 28 to August 1, 2025

The National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) is hosting the IX Central American University Games (JUDUCA 2025), a celebration that brings together more than 1,700 athletes from 27 universities across the region, including, for the first time, the participation of three institutions from Cuba. The opening ceremony was marked by a moving artistic performance and the presence of university authorities, who reaffirmed their commitment to Central American integration through sport.

During his remarks at the opening ceremony, Carlos Alvarado Cerezo, Secretary General of the Central American Higher University Council (CSUCA), emphasized the importance of these games as a key expression of regional student life. “I am convinced that university sports are a vital social force for the development of our students and should be valued for their importance in their education. Today we celebrate the participation of 27 universities, including three new ones from Cuba, which are joining this competition for the first time, a competition that unites us as a region.”

For his part, Jorge Cortez, president of the Regional Council for Student Life (CONREVE), expressed his enthusiasm for this edition of the JUDUCA games, highlighting the collaborative work carried out at the regional level. “We are here to review the technical, logistical, and regulatory aspects that will allow these games to be a success. It is an opportunity to continue strengthening the bond between our universities through sports.”

From the host university, Mario Arístides Contreras, head of the Vice-Rectorate for Student Affairs (VOAE) at UNAH, highlighted the logistical effort deployed to receive the delegations. “We have worked intensively to guarantee adequate facilities, as well as optimal food and transportation conditions. Our purpose is to promote sports as part of the students' comprehensive education and offer an enriching university experience.”

Finally, the rector of UNAH, Odir Fernández, emphasized the honor it represents for the university to host this regional event. “UNAH is filled with pride to welcome Central American university students. These games are a symbol of unity, effort, and self-improvement—values we share as an academic community.”

With the opening ceremony, which included an artistic performance entitled Xib' Sak Yáax Kínn —’Clear youth full of light“—, a week of competitions began in multiple disciplines such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, swimming, athletics and more, consolidating the JUDUCA as one of the most important initiatives in the university student sphere in Central America.

To follow the JUDUCA, we invite you to follow the following accounts on the Facebook platform: /unahoficial, /juduca2025 and /CSUCA.

JUDUCA 2025, the Central American and Caribbean university sports festival!

CONREVE holds second extraordinary session within the framework of JUDUCA at UNAH

Within the framework of the ninth edition of the Central American University Sports Games -JUDUCA-, which are being held at the facilities of the National Autonomous University of Honduras -UNAH-, the Regional Council of Student Life -CONREVE- held its second extraordinary session of the year 2025.

This meeting, held as part of the follow-up to the activities of the Regional Student Life System (SIREVE), focused on reviewing, presenting, and approving proposed amendments to the system's general regulations. Key decisions were also addressed, such as selecting the venue for the "Rubén Darío" Regional Academic Excellence Award and setting the date for the next CONREVE regular session.

The event was inaugurated with welcoming remarks from the Academic Vice-Rector of UNAH, Lourdes Murcia, who stated:
“At UNAH, we feel deeply committed to this space. We want to be with you and welcome you; make yourselves at home. I congratulate you for being that bridge that should never be broken, for keeping alive the bonds that unite us as Central American university brothers and sisters, especially through the games that bring us together today at this university.”

These activities reaffirm the commitment of the universities of the Central American Higher University Council -CSUCA- to the development of student life, sports, academic excellence and regional integration.

Taller de empoderamiento y liderazgo femenino en comunidades rurales de La Paz

El Salvador, 24 de junio del 2025

En el marco del Proyecto 7GT-UES, el pasado 24 de junio se llevó a cabo el taller “Empoderamiento de la mujer, liderazgo y participación en la toma de decisiones con un enfoque en inclusión, autonomía económica y seguridad alimentaria”.

La jornada fue impartida por la Licda. Gilma Ortiz, la Ing. María José Nieto y el Ing. Erick Deras Guardado, todos docentes del Departamento de Desarrollo Rural y miembros del equipo del proyecto. Asimismo, se contó con el apoyo logístico de los ingenieros Wilfredo Vásquez y Fidel Parada.

La actividad se realizó en el caserío El Hervedor, en la cooperativa Hacienda Santa Clara, ubicada en el distrito de San Luis Talpa, departamento de La Paz.

El taller generó una destacada participación por parte de las y los asistentes, propiciando espacios de diálogo e intercambio que permitieron recopilar información valiosa para el desarrollo del proyecto. Esta iniciativa contribuye de manera directa al fortalecimiento de las capacidades locales, especialmente en el empoderamiento de las mujeres en contextos rurales.

Manejo agroecológico en parcelas MIAF: poda técnica y control de erosión

El Salvador 03 de julio del 2025

En el marco del Proyecto 7GT-UES, se inició el proceso de poda bajo el sistema “Tatura Modificado” en 30 árboles de jocote Azucaron, establecidos en surcos del sistema agroecológico Milpa Intercalada con Árboles Frutales (MIAF).

Esta técnica consiste en inducir el crecimiento de las ramas hacia ambos lados del surco, permitiendo una mejor entrada de luz solar a cada lado del ramaje. A mediano y largo plazo, esta conducción busca formar setos productivos, optimizando la arquitectura de los árboles y su rendimiento.

Adicionalmente, el rastrojo producto de la poda se colocó estratégicamente en la base de los surcos, cumpliendo una doble función: actuar como filtro de escurrimiento para prevenir la erosión y contribuir de forma paulatina a la incorporación de materia orgánica al suelo.

Este tipo de manejo agroecológico favorece el desarrollo armónico del sistema MIAF, permitiendo que los cultivos asociados reciban su cuota lumínica adecuada y que el sistema en su conjunto alcance altos niveles de productividad y sostenibilidad.