health
No university needed in Catatumbo
Portafolio Journalist 03.26.2026 01:15 Updated: 03.26.2026 01:15
TL;DR
- The government's intention to build a university in Catatumbo is seen as essential for state presence but not a viable solution.
- A university is a complex system involving governance, faculty, academics, research, financing, and quality, not merely buildings.
- Establishing a tertiary education institution is a highly complex social undertaking that can take decades.
- Territorial entities can be very costly due to inefficiencies and lack of economies of scale.
- Operational viability is questioned, including attracting qualified faculty and maintaining academic quality in challenging zones.
- The core issue is not the absence of a physical university but the lack of educational pathways.
- Proven models like Universidade Aberta do Brasil (UAB) and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) demonstrate successful distance learning.
- Colombia has existing capabilities such as Centros Regionales de Educación Superior (CERES) and the Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia (UNAD).
- The focus should be on sustainably delivering education, not on building physical campuses that may lead to frustration.