Barriers to the institutionalization of university extension: Experience of the Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica

Abstract

The current challenges demand that public universities’ statutory social mission be strengthened, where the university extension stands out as key. The incoherence of academic management in many universities restricts this integration due to conceptual, methodological, and operational gaps existing in the extension process. This article shows the results of a qualitative research project, through the case study method, conducted in Escuela de Planificación y Promoción Social (School of Planning and Social Promotion) of the Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica; it aimed to explore the university barriers that disturb the contribution of higher education to the fourth United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: to achieve quality, inclusive, and equitable education with expanded opportunities for more people.