Higher education in Colombia faces significant challenges, but also presents crucial opportunities for its development, especially in the context of free education promoted by the Government.. Lorenzo Portocarrero Sierra, Executive Director of the Colombian Association of Higher Education Institutions (ACIET), highlighted the importance of an inclusive approach that includes both official and private institutions.
ACIET is currently made up of 100 higher education institutions from all over the country among universities, colleges, technological institutions, and professional technical institutions, serving almost one million undergraduate and graduate students.
“We completely agree with the modification of Law 30 of 1992 proposed by the Government to increase the financing of official higher education; “It is an essential measure to guarantee access to more young people,” said Portocarrero. However, he stressed the need for this financing to be equitable, managing resources in a way that benefits both sectors. Free tuition has been a notable advance for thousands of young people, but it has generated concerns in the private sector, as some institutions have seen a decrease in their enrollment due to the migration of students towards the official model.
“In Bogotá there are private institutions that do not have the category of university and still face significant challenges due to the decrease in their enrollment,” warned the union leader, who added that “current public policies tend to put sustainability and survival at risk. of private higher education institutions, which are leaving them without oxygen and in a state of defenselessness.”
To face this situation, ACIET proposes to implement financial mechanisms that equitably distribute investments in tuition. For example, that Colombians from lower strata enrolled in private higher education institutions are not excluded from free education, within the framework of a model that promotes inclusion, equality and equity.
The union also suggests evaluating the possibility of non-payment of contributions to SENA to support disadvantaged young people in their entry into private institutions. “With this financial support, the Government would be helped with its goal of creating 500,000 new places in higher education,” explained Portocarrero Sierra.
Educational coverage is another concern for ACIET, since in Colombia it is approximately 56 percent, well below the OECD average (72 – 75 percent). In that sense, the manager valued the Government’s efforts, but called on private institutions to also contribute to this cause, “since the vast majority have the complete infrastructure to support that purpose.”
For ACIET, the future vision is clear: higher education must be based on an inclusive model that maximizes the strengths of both sectors. “If we work together we can create a more equitable, inclusive and robust educational system,” he concluded.
