Tag: CXXVIII

Tegucigalpa, Honduras, July 27, 2026

The Central American Higher University Council (CSUCA) is holding its One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Ordinary Session today, hosted by the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH). The meeting brings together the highest authorities of the public universities that are members of CSUCA, along with regional student representatives, to analyze strategic issues that guide the strengthening of higher education, university integration, and the construction of a shared vision for the future of Central America and the Caribbean.

The opening ceremony began with remarks from Dr. Odír Fernández, Rector of UNAH, who stated that: “Today, the National Autonomous University of Honduras is definitely filled with pride; we have a full house, and today the unionist thought of Francisco Morazán is reflected in higher education.“He also highlighted that this week the university is hosting three important events for strengthening higher education in Central America and the Caribbean.

For his part, MSc. Carlos Alvarado, Secretary General of CSUCA, mentioned “Each session of this council represents much more than the fulfillment of an agenda; it is the expression of a regional project that, for more than 75 years, has demonstrated that university cooperation and teamwork are the most effective tools for facing the shared challenges of our societies.”, starting from the fact that in this session the bases for the development of the X Central American University Congress are defined.

Likewise, MSc. Juan Rosa Quintanilla, Rector of the University of El Salvador and President of CSUCA, stated:“Higher education is a transformative factor in societies…“In his speech, he highlighted the importance of strengthening investment in public higher education and emphasized the collaborative work promoted by universities in the region to foster integration, expand training opportunities, and contribute to the development of their societies.

During the session, the plenary session addressed an agenda focused on high-impact issues for the development of the regional university system. These included the presentation of reports from the CSUCA Presidency, the General Secretariat, and the Federation of University Students of Central America (FEUCA); the analysis of the institutional budget for 2027; the election of the Deputy General Secretary for the 2026-2030 term; the strengthening of university outreach; and the approval of regional instruments that contribute to strengthening strategic communication and crisis management in higher education institutions.

Towards the X Central American University Congress

One of the central themes of this session is the proposal to convene the X Central American University Congress (X CUC), the main regional space for analysis, reflection and building agreements of the Central American University Confederation, which periodically brings together higher education institutions to evaluate the progress of university integration and define the priorities that will guide the development of higher education in the coming years.

The proposal suggests that this tenth edition should promote a broad regional reflection process under the theme "University, region and future: towards a transformative higher education 2036", taking as a starting point the evaluation of the Fifth Plan for the Regional Integration of Central American Higher Education (PIRESC V) and the construction of an agenda that responds to the academic, scientific, social, technological and environmental challenges facing the region.

Summit of Rectors promotes regional dialogue

As part of the activities surrounding this meeting, the CSUCA Rectors' Summit will take place on Tuesday, July 28. This summit is conceived as a forum for academic and strategic dialogue among the highest university authorities of Central America and the Dominican Republic. Under the theme "The Public University: Engine of Development and Integration in Central America," this meeting promotes reflection on the role of public universities in addressing present and future challenges, as well as the exchange of experiences and the development of joint proposals to strengthen regional cooperation, innovation, university autonomy, and the commitment of higher education to the sustainable development of the Central American peoples. As a result of this dialogue, the groundwork will be laid for activities leading up to the 10th Central American University Congress.

FICCUA 2026 begins

Simultaneously, the Central American Interuniversity Festival of Culture and Art (FICCUA 2026) also begins this Monday, with its opening ceremony taking place at the National Autonomous University of Honduras. This regional event brings together student artists from CSUCA member universities to promote cultural exchange, strengthen Central American identity, and recognize art and culture as essential components of a well-rounded university education. Details of this important event will be covered in a separate publication.

The CXXVIII Ordinary Session reaffirms CSUCA's commitment to an articulated, relevant and innovative public higher education, capable of promoting regional solutions to common challenges and consolidating university integration as an engine for sustainable development, well-being and social transformation in Central America and the Caribbean.