health

No university needed in Catatumbo

Portafolio Journalist 03.26.2026 01:15 Updated: 03.26.2026 01:15

No university needed in Catatumbo

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.