The 2022–2026 Activity Report of the Central American Higher University Council (CSUCA) This document presents a summary of the main achievements, progress, and actions undertaken during the management period. It highlights the strengthening of regional integration among Central American public universities, the promotion of scientific research, innovation, internationalization, and the digital transformation of higher education. Furthermore, it underscores CSUCA's commitment to academic quality, inter-university cooperation, and its contribution to the region's sustainable development through programs and projects with regional impact.
Author: SG CSUCA
MOURNING NOTE
CSUCA inaugurates the XXX Annual Assembly of the Central American Integrated Documentary Information System (SIIDCA)
Panama City, Panama, June 25, 2026
The Central American Higher University Council (CSUCA), in coordination with the Technological University of Panama (UTP), launched the XXX Annual Assembly of Directors of the Central American Integrated Documentary Information System (SIIDCA), a regional integration space that brings together the people responsible for the library systems of the public universities that are members of CSUCA to strengthen knowledge management, open access to information and academic cooperation.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Rector of the Technological University of Panama, Dr. Ángela Laguna Caicedo; the Secretary General of CSUCA, Dr. Carlos Guillermo Alvarado Cerezo; and the Coordinator of SIIDCA, Ms. Fabiola Campos Jara, as well as university authorities, representatives of higher education institutions in the region, and members of the System. The Assembly is being held in a hybrid format, allowing for both in-person and virtual participation by delegations from CSUCA member universities.
During his inaugural message, the Secretary General of CSUCA highlighted that university libraries have evolved to become dynamic centers for knowledge management, promotion of open science, support for research, teaching and innovation, playing a strategic role in strengthening Central American public higher education.
He also noted that the rapid technological development and the advancement of artificial intelligence represent an opportunity to enhance the work of library systems, through the integration of innovative tools that strengthen their services, always preserving their essence as spaces for training, critical thinking and democratization of knowledge.
Dr. Alvarado reiterated the commitment of the General Secretariat of CSUCA to continue accompanying and supporting the work of SIIDCA, recognizing that equitable access to knowledge is a fundamental driver for human development, regional integration and the building of more just, democratic and inclusive societies.
For her part, the Coordinator of SIIDCA, Mtra. Fabiola Campos Jara, highlighted that the Assembly marks three decades of collaborative work among the public universities of Central America, consolidating a network that has turned information management into a shared effort to strengthen research, teaching and library services in the region.
She also invited the participants to take advantage of this meeting as a space for reflection, dialogue and collective construction in the face of the challenges that university libraries face in a context characterized by digital transformation, artificial intelligence and the growing demand for open access to knowledge.
The Rector of the Technological University of Panama welcomed the participating delegations and highlighted that university libraries have become strategic actors in promoting open science, responsible information management, and the strengthening of institutional repositories. She also emphasized that regional cooperation is essential for continuing to promote initiatives that strengthen public higher education and knowledge management in Central America.
As part of the Assembly's academic agenda, participants will develop specialized conferences on artificial intelligence applied to university libraries, governance, sustainability and open science, in addition to analyzing the progress and challenges of library systems in each country, reviewing the 2026–2027 work plan and defining the actions that will continue to strengthen the regional integration of SIIDCA.
The XXX Annual Assembly of SIIDCA takes place from June 24 to 26 at the Technological University of Panama, consolidating itself as a strategic space to promote inter-university cooperation, the exchange of experiences and the strengthening of the documentary information systems of Central American public universities as fundamental pillars for the generation, preservation and democratization of knowledge.
The UNED Electronic Journal of Quality in Higher Education dedicates a special edition to the CSUCA Simple and Fruitful Innovation Network
As a result of the collaborative work promoted by the Central American Higher University Council (CSUCA) to strengthen innovation and quality in higher education in the region, the Electronic Journal Quality in Higher Education (CAES), from the Institute of Academic Quality Management (IGESCA) of the State Distance University (UNED) of Costa Rica, presented a special edition developed in conjunction with the Simple and Fruitful Innovation Network (RISYF) of CSUCA.
The publication, entitled “Quality Management Processes, Excellence and Academic Innovation in Higher Education Institutions in Central America”, brings together fifteen academic articles prepared by specialists from the region, who share research, experiences and proposals aimed at responding to the contemporary challenges of higher education.
The works address strategic themes such as curriculum transformation, quality management and evaluation, the use of educational technologies, artificial intelligence applied to teaching and learning processes, the administration of virtual platforms, the internationalization of learning, and the design of more participatory, inclusive, and innovative educational experiences.
Likewise, the edition presents experiences related to active methodologies, gamification, educational data mining, laboratories adapted to non-face-to-face modalities, international collaborative online learning (COIL), new forms of organizing academic work and remote access to specialized laboratories, demonstrating the commitment of the region's universities to the transformation of their educational processes.
This special edition highlights the value of regional academic cooperation as a mechanism to promote continuous improvement, the exchange of best practices, and the joint development of innovative solutions that contribute to strengthening the quality of Central American higher education.
The Simple and Fruitful Innovation Network (RISYF), promoted by CSUCA, constitutes a space for articulation between teachers, researchers and academic managers that fosters the generation and dissemination of innovative experiences with impact on the processes of teaching, learning and university management.
With this initiative, CSUCA and the Electronic Journal Quality in Higher Education They reaffirm their commitment to academic excellence, educational innovation, and the strengthening of relevant, collaborative public higher education that is geared towards responding to the needs and challenges of Central America.
Those interested in learning about this publication can access the website of the Electronic Journal Quality in Higher Education (CAES), corresponding to the regular edition of May 2026, through the following link: https://revistas.uned.ac.cr/index.php/revistacalidad/issue/view/397. At the bottom of the page you will find the section “Special Edition CAES Magazine and the Simple and Fruitful Innovation Network (RISYF) of the Central American Higher University Council (CSUCA)”, where you can consult the articles that make up this publication dedicated to innovation, excellence and quality in regional higher education.
INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONGRESS ON QUALITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FROM RESEARCH
Submission of proposals for scientific presentations and posters:
- Proposals for scientific papers and posters will be accepted until June 5, 2026 to the email: ccices.2026@ues.edu.sv
- The Scientific Committee of the Congress will receive proposals between May 29 and June 5, 2026.
- The acceptance notification will be made between June 5 and 12, 2026.
- The deadline for submitting papers and posters accepted by the Scientific Committee will be the June 26, 2026 to the email: ccices.2026@ues.edu.sv
The congress provides the opportunity to general participation to teachers, researchers, students and interested parties.
Participant registration is now open at: https://ccices2026.ues.edu.sv/congreso/formulario-de-inscripcion/
Central American and Caribbean Regional Diploma in Volunteering
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