Higher education in Latin America - RIAIPE3

RIAIPE3 aimed to support the structural transformation of higher education institutions in Latin America and to improve the relevance of these institutions in promoting balanced social development, equality and social cohesion in Latin American countries. The project received funding of €3 million from the ALFA III programme, a European Commission programme for cooperation abroad.

Researchers and institutions from twenty countries joined forces gathering knowledge and skills to produce critical change with the intention of bringing about a more just, equitable and cohesive society.

The project objectives were to consider:

> access to higher education in various regions of Latin America
> how Latin American higher education institutions are involved in formulating public policies aimed at developing a knowledge society
> the relationship between Latin American higher education institutions and social issues
> how the cooperation between higher education institutions is key to sustainable development and to the construction of societies that are fairer and more democratic.


The research team was a consortium led by: Professor António Teodoro, Director of the Centre for Research and Intervention in Education and Training (CeiEF) of the Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, Lisbon, Portugal
The core team included, from the University of Brighton, Professor Ivor Goodsonan and Dr Tim Rudd.

The project involved a large international collaborative network, composed of universities from 14 Latin American countries, six EU countries and working in association with the Organization of Iberoamerican States (OEI).

RIAIPE3 placed universities at the hub of changes in higher education systems, as privileged actors in sustainable development processes and in the struggle for cognitive justice with the following outcomes:

the implementation of policies to promote equal opportunities for women and vulnerable groups, and planning social cohesion actions in the context of the completion of the IFP (Inter-University Framework Programme).

Higher education institutions in Europe absorbed the best practices of partner institutions, contributing to a shared process of learning and improvement.
The project featured deliverables, a record of activities and a multimedia archive and includes observations and recommendations relating to:

• equity
• gender
• citizen democracy and governance
• social relevance in higher education
• comparative education
• educational policies, epistemologies, research and history.

Latin American universities have each implemented varied policies aimed at enhancing social cohesion and equity among disadvantaged and under-represented groups in higher education.

As part of the project, a Green Book of best practices to promote social cohesion and equality was published. This draws on examples from all key partner institutions and is aimed at Higher Education Institutions (HEI) and Governments across Latin America and elsewhere. Similarly, a White Book of policy recommendations aimed at influencing policy and decision makers was also published.

There have been events and meetings to disseminate the project, including conferences promoting social justice and equality in Cuba, Brazil and Mexico.