The National University facing the Amazonian reality
19 Mar 2010
Universities are often criticized for their irrelevance for local communities, lack of access and lack of interest in other people’s problems. And too often universities in remote corners of the country are expected to follow the academic priorities of their bigger counterparts in the “real world”. To increase relevance, universities must play a meaningful role in both the local and academic community.
The project ‘Strengthening of Knowledge and Amazonian Environmental Management’ (SyGA), financed by Nuffic under the NPT programme and carried out between 2005-2010 on the Campus of the National University in Leticia (UNAL-Amazonia) in the Colombian Amazon has proven that the academic world and local communities can actually come together.
Accessible education
In the Colombian Amazon secondary education is hardly a ticket to University. Therefore, the project provided training to high-school teachers to improve university access for local students without compromising on academic entry requirements.
In addition, the project promoted the development of permanent and stable undergraduate programs at the Amazon campus, thus increasing and qualifying the region’s social capital. This initiative was well in line with and even strengthened the policy of the National University to support their campus at the Colombian frontiers.
Relevant research
Indigenous people are not only interested in entering university for education purposes, but also because UNAL-Amazonia addresses their community needs. Research at UNAL-Amazonia increasingly focuses on the major problems of the Amazon region, its people and its environment. As a strategy, local knowledge is being recognized and included to promote the knowledge dialogue.
Recognition and networks
Twice a year, UNAL-Amazonia organizes its 'Research Month' offering an encouraging mix of academics and local people who meet to discuss research priorities and results. This is one of the striking examples of increasing visibility and recognition of UNAL-Amazonia in the course of the NPT project.
Local people increasingly acknowledge the relevance of the university. But also nationally and internationally UNAL-Amazonia gained respect. The project contributed to a greater national and international visibility of the Amazon campus, turning it into the indisputable point of reference for Amazonian studies in Colombia and the most important higher education institution between Manaus in Brazil and Iquitos in Peru - the two greater Amazonian cities and points of passage for some of the most prominent researchers on Amazonian themes.
UNAL-Amazonia staff are delighted to work together with visiting lecturers and students from all over the world, who share their passion for the Amazon region.
Success factors
Through these and other accomplishments we can state that the SyGA project is an example of success. Several factors contributed to this success:
- a sincere interest in improving the living conditions of local people and the Amazonian environment;
- a balanced approach that incorporates capacity building, curriculum development, research and management;
- good teamwork between Colombians and Dutch experts, benefitting from cultural differences and a joint focus on project objectives;
- an attitude to look for opportunities, especially from an institutional viewpoint;
- the willingness to learn and change;
- a good level of trust.
The project offered UNAL-Amazonia the opportunity to incorporate new approaches into its own strategy and day-to day work, which led to the institutionalization of the project results.
UNAL-Amazonia now a major player
The Amazon-Leticia campus is now a major player in the Amazonian higher education sector. Nuffic’s contribution was essential in reinforcing the commitment of the National University’s professors, in close association with five of the best Dutch universities (VU University Amsterdam, Tilburg University, University of Amsterdam, University of Utrecht, and Wageningen University) and through the coordination by Tropenbos International.
The project could be replicated in the capital cities of the other six Amazonian Departments and, eventually, in other regions of the country and beyond.
About the authors
Germán Palacio is co-director of the SyGA project and Professor at the National University of Colombia – Amazonian campus. Hans Vellema is co-director of the SyGA project and works at Tropenbos International.
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