The basis of a society
The Bolivian tertiary education sector is currently experiencing a boom: the country now boasts over 60 universities (both public and private) and over 500,000 students, 30 percent of which are registered at private institutions. Over 80 percent of young Bolivians currently study in their home country, for various reasons, one of them being that they start creating a network in their student days which will then help them throughout their careers. This being said, interinstitutional partnerships with North American, Latin American and European universities play an important role, enabling exchanges for students and faculty as well as ensuring international recognition to their diplomas. At the moment, the public sector is receiving help from the government to improve its equipment, technologies, internationalization and research. Private institutions are calling for more state support, but in Santa Cruz, businesses are also taking things into their own hands to educate the specialists they need. Universidad Privada de Santa Cruz de la Sierra (UPSA), inaugurated in 1984, was created by Santa Cruz’ Chamber of Commerce Santa Cruz emerges as a hub for tertiary education, with a total of around 157.000 students registered this year in public and private institutions. UPSA educates young professionals in business sciences, engineering, architecture, design and urban planning, humanities and communication, as well as legal sciences. Around 400 undergraduates receive their diploma every year. There are currently 3.200 students and 250 lecturers at this level. At the postgraduate level, 50 lecturers teach 500 students, with 200 graduates per year. Additionally, the continued education program and the language school are expanding with currently around 4.000 participants. UPSA also holds international accreditations and organizes exchanges with US universities, notably Oklahoma and Georgetown.
“Our close link to the business world is one of UPSA’s strengths”, explained Dean Lauren Müller.