Author: SG CSUCA

Transfer of Presidency SIREICU

Central America, August 30, 2022

With the aim of publicizing the progress made in the first year of operation of the Regional System of University Information and Communication -SIREICU- during the period July 2021 – June 2022 through the presidency of María José Aburto, representing Nicaragua; and to welcome Karol Ramírez, President of SIREICU for the period July 2022 – June 2023, representing Costa Rica, a presidency transfer meeting was held.

The activity began with words from the President of CSUCA, Francisco Gonzalez, who mentioned, “Communication is key to keeping that link alive in the work of universities, creating networks that make communication and information available to society through the transfer of knowledge, publicizing development opportunities, scientific and technological transfer, as well as the work that is done in connection with society,” thus highlighting the important work of the public university.

For his part, Secretary General Carlos Alvarado noted that “Universities are fundamental to our Central American and Caribbean societies; and a system that disseminates information about teaching, research, and university-society-state engagement is a cross-cutting support for recognizing the value of the information generated by these institutions.” He also thanked outgoing President María José Aburto for her work and commitment and wished incoming President Karol Ramírez Chinchilla every success.

“We are facing a strong effort to strengthen the system. I assume this responsibility with commitment, because together we must go out and tell society about the importance of the value of universities. Therefore, it is important to strengthen the information system, to make known how we impact our societies,” said Karol Ramírez, President of SIREICU.

For her part, María José Aburto announced the results of her first year as president, thanking everyone for their support and trust, and highlighting achievements such as the approval of SIREICU's regulations by the Council through 12 working sessions and various General Assemblies, the creation of working subcommittees, the communication campaign for CSUCA's 73rd anniversary, and the establishment of the first regional media outlet, "Radio Comunica".

To conclude the session, it was announced that the dates of October 5th and 6th have been set for the next SIREICU General Assembly to be held in Costa Rica, so that members of the system can participate in person. 

JUDUCA Technical Congress 2023

The University of El Salvador is hosting the First Technical Congress for the organization of the VIII Central American University Sports Games JUDUCA 2023 with the UES as the host university.

The JUDUCA (University Sports Games of Central America) are a biennial multi-sport competition designed to promote sports in public universities in Central America and the Dominican Republic. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the eighth edition, scheduled for 2020 at the University of San Carlos of Guatemala, could not be held. Therefore, student representatives have decided to resume this important competition in 2023.

SIRCIP Presidency Transfer

Central America, July 26, 2022

With the purpose of publicizing the progress of the Central American and Caribbean Regional System of Research and Postgraduate Studies -SIRCIP- during the period July 2021 to June 2022, chaired by Dayra Blandón representing Nicaragua, together with Jorge Herrera, President of SIRCIP for the period July 2022 to June 2023, representing Costa Rica, a meeting for the transfer of the presidency is being held today.

To begin the meeting, Francisco González, President of CSUCA, stated, “Disseminating the findings of research processes is important in knowledge management, to generate forms of integration, and from this initiative we can strengthen our collaborative work and thus generate contributions for Central American society.”.

For his part, Carlos Alvarado, Secretary General of CSUCA, reflected, “Contemporary society in our countries is experiencing great difficulties, which is why higher education faces different challenges; hence the importance of strengthening research and knowledge production capacities.”.  Thus, expressing gratitude to Dayra Blandón for her performance during her time as President of SIRCIP and welcoming and offering support to the current President of the system.

“By recognizing the role of research within university work, SIRCIP fulfills a great role in contributing knowledge, as well as addressing social demands, with the necessary characteristics and capabilities through rigorous research processes, to solve the biggest problems facing our region,” said Jorge Herrera, current President of SIRCIP. 

Dayra Blandón then indicated the actions that have been achieved through the system, such as the approval of the document “Conceptualization for the Recognition of the Condition of Academic Regionality, in SIRCIP/CSUCA Postgraduate Programs”, as well as the collaborative work between SIIDCA and SIRCIP, the creation of the network of open science promoters, as well as the generation of various virtual activities as part of the strengthening of the processes of internationalization and open science, among other actions.

In addition, the achievements obtained by each objective related to the program “Research, science, technology and innovation for integration and regional development” of the Fifth Plan for the Regional Integration of Higher Education of Central America and the Dominican Republic -PIRESC V- were presented, with a presentation by a representative of the committee of each objective.

Finally, they agreed to schedule the next general assembly for October 20th of this year, which will be held in a hybrid format, based in Costa Rica.

Transfer of Presidency of SIESCA

Central America, July 22, 2022

With the purpose of publicizing the progress of the Central American Higher Education Internationalization System -SIESCA- during the period July 2021 to June 2022, chaired by Rafael Ángel Sánchez representing Nicaragua along with Maynor Barrientos, current president of SIESCA, representing Costa Rica, a meeting for the transfer of the SIESCA Presidency is being held today.

To begin the activity, the Secretary General of CSUCA, Carlos Alvarado Cerezo, stated, “Internationalization has been an important strategy for universities in the face of globalization, being a fundamental element for the development of our peoples and the training of skills of the university community.”.

To continue, Maynor Barrientos, President of SIESCA for the period July 2022-June 2023, gave a presentation, in which he stated, “I am very honored to be at the service of the entire system, the projects that are underway and the program that is articulated by the different systems; my responsibility will be to put myself at the service of all the projects that are planned.”.

For his part, Rafael Ángel Sánchez expressed his gratitude to all the people who have been part of the system and for the actions that have been achieved during the pro tempore presidency period, indicating that among the achievements are the structuring of an operational plan for the next 4 years according to the objectives and indicators foreseen in PIRESC V, as well as generating actions of institutional strengthening “capacity building” through collaborative work by CSUCA, OBREAL Global and its South American chapter, generation of Hybrid Meeting of Science and Academia, among other actions.

In addition, the achievements obtained by each objective related to the program “Regionalization and internationalization of higher education” of the Fifth Plan for the Regional Integration of Higher Education of Central America and the Dominican Republic -PIRESC V- were presented, with the presentation of a representative of the committee of each objective.