A look at university education in Ecuador: politics, quality and teaching

Abstract

University education in Ecuador has experienced important advances in recent years, both in terms of educational policies and in quality and teaching. The country has implemented a National Higher Education System (SNES) that seeks to regulate and supervise higher education institutions, guaranteeing the quality and relevance of academic programs. Regarding educational quality, Ecuador has established the Higher Education Quality Assurance Agency (ACESS), in charge of evaluating and accrediting the quality of university institutions and programs. This has promoted continuous improvement and academic excellence in Ecuadorian universities. In addition, teacher training has been strengthened, with training programs and pedagogical updating, which has made it possible to improve the skills of university professors and promote research and innovation in teaching. In the field of educational policy, Ecuador has established a National Plan for the Development of the Higher Education System, which establishes goals and strategies to strengthen university education in the country. It has sought to promote inclusion, equity and quality in academic programs. However, despite the advances, there are still pending challenges. It is necessary to continue working on the relevance of academic programs, adapting them to the needs of the labor market and the development of the country. Likewise, it is necessary to strengthen the link between universities and the productive sector, promoting collaboration in research projects and the labor insertion of students.