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.