Mexico’s National Autonomous University (UNAM) is the largest in Latin America and among the largest in the world. Its enrollment surpasses 160,000 undergraduate students and 21,000 graduate students. The UNAM is not only free but has an extraordinary reputation as one of the best public education systems in the world. It was ranked by Britain’s Times Higher Education Supplement in the top 200 in the world.
As part of its commitment to public education, UNAM has announced that it will make freely available on the Internet all of its publications and course materials. Free public education in Mexico is guaranteed by Mexico’s Constitution. There is at least one public university in each of the 33 states and the Federal District so that all students in any region of the country can have access to free public education.
My experience and that of my 6 siblings, all first generation, in public education are testimony to the power of the system. My alma mater is the Autonomous University of Queretaro (UAQ) where I completed my undergraduate and graduate degrees.
What is a “public” university in the Mexican context? Public in Mexico means that students are admitted based on their academic scores and abilities, not on their financial capability. Thus, anyone regardless of their socioeconomic status, can be admitted. This is of course brings with it issues of supply and demand. Each year over 80,000 young people apply to UNAM which has only some 16,000 places. As a result, Mexico is seeing an increase in small private institutions. Nonetheless, many of these institutions face challenges in terms of quality, faculty and permanence. For the more affluent applicants, private institutions such as La Universidad de las Americas, UDLAP, The Monterrey Institute of Technology, ITESM and Mexico Autonomous Institute of Technology, ITAM remain a viable option, in which places are guaranteed based on one’s ability to pay. However, public universities remain the institution for the majority.
Other aspects of the public university system are that it does not provide nor require on campus residence for students. This is actually a benefit and linked closely to cultural aspects where many students work and still live at home.
“Public” also means that Presidents, Chancellors, Provosts, Deans, and Directors/Chairpersons are elected by administrators, faculty, staff and students every four years. This means that all administrators and directors are highly accountable to their constituents. Moreover, faculty and researchers at public institutions have a commitment to K-12 public education. Many work directly with schools and in education, and are involved in curriculum and the production of free text books. On the side note K-6 public education system in Mexico provides free text books to schools for students based on national and state curriculum.
Many public universities and their faculties work closely with the National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT). This body provides research and scholarship opportunities for Mexican scholars, including funding to pursue postgraduate degrees outside of Mexico. The goal of CONACYT is to strengthen scientific development and technological modernization in Mexico by promoting research projects that contribute to this purpose. Researchers and faculty can receive up to $3000 merit pay each month if they are members (or fellows) of this council. Membership is based on peer review, academic history, and achievements. In comparison when merit pay existed at UNC a few years ago, the amount was merely between 100- 500 dollars yearly!
In a recent comparative study of Mexico’s 43 public universities and the top 15 private institutions in such areas as patent production and scholarly articles published in peer-reviewed journals, the case was made that the quality and level of production of scholars was higher within the public higher education institutions than in private institutions. This is not surprising since private institutions are characterized by their profit motives and thus their focus is not on scholarly work or research but on profit.
Thus, the future of higher education in Mexico in the 21st century lies with the public education system.
Public Higher Education: A Case in Mexico
ReplyDeleteAldo, your blog on free public education in Mexico has made me aware of some interesting cultural differences. I think it would be of benefit to everyone if more faculty from higher education had connections with the K-12 system in their region. This being said, it remains a two-way street and if the area school districts are adverse to working with faculty from colleges and universities, it takes a more public commitment to make the collaboration happen.
I am also fascinated by the idea of electing the senior level administration on a regular basis. Consider how many college and university presidents in the United States step into their role and remain there for 20 years or more. If we treated higher education more like we treat our politicians, perhaps the gap between institutional needs and higher administrative desires would be easier to close.
Janella,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment.
Yes, fundamentally there are many cultural differences between the Mexican public higher education system and the US. Perhaps, I shoud have added that many Latina American countries have similar public higher education system.
I agree that connecting higher education systems with K-12 on a regular basis is beneficial. Also, it is a common practice in many Latin American coutries to elect senior level administration on a regular basis. This in theory provides higher level administrators and faculty to make decisions from a more realistic perspective.