Category News

CSUCA develops the 1st Central American and Caribbean Biennial with more than 103 presentations on innovation and educational quality

Panama City, Panama, May 20-22, 2026

With broad participation from university authorities, teachers, researchers, students and specialists from the region, the development of the I Central American and Caribbean Biennial of Innovation, Academic Harmonization and Quality Assurance of Higher Education began at the International Maritime University of Panama (UMIP), an academic space promoted by the Central American System of Evaluation and Harmonization of Higher Education (SICEVAES), which takes place on May 20, 21 and 22.

The Biennial brings together more than 103 academic presentations, consolidating itself as one of the most relevant regional spaces for the exchange of experiences, research, good practices and proposals aimed at strengthening public higher education in Central America and the Caribbean.

During the academic sessions, universities and institutions from Panama, Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba participate, addressing strategic issues related to educational innovation, academic harmonization, internationalization, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, microcredentials, quality assurance, and institutional strengthening.

The program includes keynote lectures, specialized panels, interdisciplinary discussion tables, virtual and in-person presentations, audiovisual exhibitions, and collaborative spaces aimed at strengthening academic networks and new regional alliances.

Among the experiences presented, the following stand out: initiatives related to innovation in teaching-learning processes, internationalization strategies through COIL methodologies, artificial intelligence applied to higher education, digital transformation, development of 21st century skills, institutional evaluation, and regional experiences linked to the improvement and accreditation of university quality.

The Biennial is developed within the framework of a regional agenda aimed at strengthening the Regional Harmonization and Quality Assurance Program for Higher Education, promoting processes of reflection and collective construction that allow public universities to respond to the current challenges of the region.

This first regional meeting also represents a strategic space to consolidate a more innovative, articulated and relevant higher education, strengthening university cooperation and academic exchange as pillars for regional development.

 

CSUCA promotes regional agenda and unanimously re-elects Carlos Alvarado Cerezo as general secretary

Panama City, Panama, May 18, 2026

University authorities from Central America, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba are participating in the 127th Ordinary Session of the Central American Higher University Council (CSUCA), a regional forum focused on strengthening university integration, analyzing strategic issues, and building agreements for the development of public higher education in the region. The session is being held at the International Maritime University of Panama (UMIP), solidifying its position as a key space for decision-making and the coordination of regional initiatives.

The work agenda includes addressing issues related to institutional reports from the CSUCA Presidency, the General Secretariat, and the Federation of University Students of Central America and the Caribbean (FEUCA), as well as strategic processes related to academic cooperation and institutional strengthening.

Among the points addressed were the signing of the CYTED-CSUCA agreement; the presentation of the final report of the COIL course; the situation of the CSUCA Presidency for the period 2026–2027; the regional declaration on university scientific publication; the proposal of the Regulations of the Regional University Extension Award promoted by SICAUS; as well as requests for admission of new university institutions to the regional body.

The session also included the presentation of awards to former members of the organization and various points aimed at continuing to strengthen the Central American and Caribbean university agenda.

Furthermore, as part of the decisions adopted during the session, university authorities approved the incorporation of the Technological University of Eastern Cibao (UTECO), from the Dominican Republic, as a full member of CSUCA, strengthening the Caribbean's presence and participation in the regional body. Likewise, the incorporation of the Higher University Institution of Cartagena (UMAYOR), located in the Colombian island region of San Andrés, Providencia, and Santa Catalina, as an observer member was approved, expanding the spaces for academic collaboration, exchange, and regional cooperation promoted by the Central American Higher University Council.

Furthermore, university authorities approved establishing June 21 as the official date for the commemoration of Central American and Caribbean University Volunteer Day. This initiative aims to recognize and highlight the commitment, participation, and contributions of university communities to solidarity and social transformation projects carried out in the various countries of the region. The approval reaffirms the value of university volunteering as a mechanism for strengthening social responsibility, regional citizenship, and the connection between public universities and the needs and realities of their communities.

As part of the strategic agreements reached during the day, the university authorities that are members of CSUCA unanimously re-elected MSc. Carlos Alvarado Cerezo as secretary general of the organization for the period 2026–2030, a decision that reflects the support of the universities of the region for the management developed from the General Secretariat and the efforts promoted to strengthen university integration, academic cooperation and the articulated work between the member institutions.

The decision also reaffirms the confidence placed in a regional agenda aimed at continuing to strengthen academic, scientific and institutional development initiatives that contribute to responding, from public higher education, to the challenges and needs of Central America and the Caribbean.

Furthermore, in accordance with the institutional rotation mechanism that strengthens the organization's regional governance, the authorities agreed that the CSUCA Presidency for the period July 2026–June 2027 will be assumed by El Salvador, represented by Eng. MSc. Juan Rosa Quintanilla, Rector of the University of El Salvador (UES). Likewise, it was approved to transfer the Presidency to Belize for the following period, in response to a request submitted by the University of Belize, a decision that reaffirms the spirit of dialogue, consensus, and cooperation that characterizes the regional organization.

The CXXVII Ordinary Session reaffirms the commitment of the region's public universities to an articulated work agenda, focused on academic strengthening, regional cooperation, and building joint responses to the current challenges of Central America and the Caribbean.

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SICEVAES strengthens regional agenda on innovation, academic harmonization and quality assurance

Panama City, Panama, May 18, 2026

University authorities and regional specialists participate in the LX Meeting of the Central American System of Evaluation and Accreditation of Higher Education (SICEVAES), a space aimed at strengthening regional strategies for innovation, academic harmonization and assurance of educational quality.

The meeting is being held at the International Maritime University of Panama and brings together the Regional Coordination Committee and the Technical Commission of the system to address strategic issues related to the quality and transformation of higher education.

Among the main agenda items are the progress of the strategic commissions of Program 3 of PIRESC V, innovation in teaching and learning processes, regional academic harmonization and the strengthening of accreditation and quality management mechanisms.

The meeting also incorporates the organizational follow-up of the 1st Central American and Caribbean Biennial of Innovation, Academic Harmonization and Quality Assurance of Higher Education, strengthening spaces for exchange and regional cooperation.

The activities developed seek to continue consolidating an innovative, articulated regional higher education committed to the needs of the Central American and Caribbean peoples.

CSUCA inaugurates regional academic week together with SICEVAES and the 1st Central American and Caribbean Biennial

Panama City, Panama, May 18, 2026

With a joint opening ceremony held at the International Maritime University of Panama (UMIP), the Central American Higher University Council (CSUCA), the Central American System of Evaluation and Accreditation of Higher Education (SICEVAES) and the 1st Central American and Caribbean Biennial of Innovation, Academic Harmonization and Quality Assurance of Higher Education kicked off a strategic week for regional public higher education.

The agenda brings together university authorities, rectors, academic teams, students and specialists from Central America, the Dominican Republic and Cuba to promote spaces for dialogue and collective construction aimed at strengthening regional university integration.

The celebration takes on special significance with the realization of the I Central American and Caribbean Biennial, developed within the framework of the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Amphictyonic Congress of Panama, a historical event that symbolizes the ideals of union and integration promoted by Simón Bolívar and that continues to inspire contemporary regional efforts.

As part of the opening ceremony, MSc. Olga María Moscoso, representing the University of San Carlos of Guatemala and the Presidency of CSUCA, spoke, highlighting that universities are called upon to consolidate strategic alliances that promote academic mobility, regional scientific research, and comprehensive student development, emphasizing that higher education must respond to contemporary challenges from a regional and solidarity-based perspective.

For his part, the Secretary General of CSUCA, MSc. Carlos Alvarado Cerezo, pointed out that public universities have the responsibility to lead processes of social transformation and strengthen regional integration based on academic quality, university cooperation and the collective construction of solutions for the Central American and Caribbean peoples.

During his speech, Dr. Roberto Aparicio, Vice-Rector of Teaching at the International Maritime University of Panama, highlighted the value of the coordinated work between public universities in the region, emphasizing that holding this meeting constitutes a joint effort driven by institutions committed to strengthening regional academic integration.

Likewise, the rector of the International Maritime University of Panama, engineer Víctor Luna, to inaugurate the academic week, highlighted that CSUCA continues to be a fundamental space to maintain regional unity through knowledge, especially in a context where contemporary challenges require answers built from collective intelligence and cooperation.

Thus highlighting that regional public higher education constitutes a platform for social transformation, knowledge generation, and the construction of solutions to the region's shared challenges.

The program includes topics related to academic mobility, educational innovation, curriculum harmonization, internationalization, regional research and quality assurance, thus strengthening the role of public universities as drivers of social and human development.

The academic week also represents an opportunity to consolidate alliances and renew the commitment of universities to a more inclusive, relevant and regionally impactful higher education.

CSUCA promotes regional internationalization during the XXVI SIESCA Meeting in Panama

The Central American Higher University Council (CSUCA), through the Central American Higher Education Internationalization System (SIESCA), is holding the XXVI Ordinary Meeting of the system on May 7 and 8, 2026, at the Specialized University of the Americas (UDELAS), in Panama City.

The meeting brings together representatives of public universities that are members of CSUCA, made up of the countries of Central America, the Dominican Republic and Cuba, with the aim of strengthening regional academic cooperation, university mobility and strategies for the internationalization of higher education.

The opening day included welcoming remarks from M.Sc. Luis Enrique Torres, Director of Internationalization and Technical Cooperation at UDELAS; M.Sc. Olga María Moscoso, Coordinator of SIESCA 2025-2026 and General Coordinator of Cooperation at the University of San Carlos of Guatemala; and M.Sc. Carlos Guillermo Alvarado Cerezo, Secretary General of CSUCA. The event was presided over by Dr. Nicolasa Terreros Barrios, Rector of UDELAS.

As part of the academic agenda, the keynote lecture “COIL Experience in Latin America, a regional internationalization strategy, from UTP and CSUCA” was given by Dr. Nacarí Marín, addressing innovative models of international academic collaboration and online collaborative learning.

During the Assembly, strategic reports are also presented related to regional academic mobility, the strengthening of teaching capacities through training programs in COIL methodology and the evaluation of the strategic objectives of Program 5 of PIRESC V, aimed at strengthening regional university internationalization.

Furthermore, the meeting reaffirms the commitment of CSUCA and its member universities to building a more integrated, inclusive, and regionally coordinated higher education system, promoting spaces for academic cooperation that contribute to sustainable development and the strengthening of educational quality in the Central American and Caribbean region.

CSUCA strengthens student integration and leadership during the XXXVIII CEUCA Congress in the Dominican Republic

The Central American Higher University Council (CSUCA), through its regional student articulation spaces, accompanied the development of the XXXVIII Central American and Caribbean University Student Congress (CEUCA), held from May 4 to 8, 2026 at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD).

The Congress brought together student representatives from CSUCA member universities in Central America, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba, solidifying its role as a space for dialogue, integration, and collective development in support of regional public higher education. During the working sessions, the student delegations reviewed and approved the Statutes of the Federation of Central American University Students (FEUCA) and its respective regulations.

Among the main topics addressed by the students were the challenges related to the economic situation of universities in Central America, as well as the need to strengthen student participation, youth leadership and the defense of public higher education in the region.

The opening ceremony was attended by university authorities, student representatives, and regional delegations, including FEUCA President Mario Mancia; Vice President Alicia Víquez; representatives from the Federation of Dominican Students (FED); and student presidents from CSUCA member universities. Also present was CSUCA Deputy Secretary of Student Affairs, Mirna Jiménez.

In a virtual address, MSc. Carlos Guillermo Alvarado Cerezo, Secretary General of CSUCA, addressed the participating delegations, highlighting that CEUCA represents "one of the most valuable expressions of our regional integration," as it constitutes a space for dialogue, reflection, and collectively building the present and future of regional public higher education.

In his remarks, the Secretary General emphasized that university students play a fundamental role in addressing contemporary challenges, noting that student congresses strengthen leadership, critical thinking, democratic participation, and social commitment among new generations. He also reiterated that these forums are an essential part of the heritage of Central American university integration.

 

As part of the Congress activities, the delegations held meetings with university authorities of the UASD, including Rector Editrudis Beltrán Crisóstomo and members of the University Council, in addition to touring the university facilities.

Through these types of spaces, CSUCA reaffirms its commitment to strengthening regional student participation and building more inclusive, relevant universities that are committed to the realities and needs of the people of Central America, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba.