Institutional strategy for the strengthening regional and local development: an experience of the Universidad Nacional of Costa Rica (UNA)

Abstract

The Vice-Rectors of Extensión (VE) of the Universidad Nacional of Costa Rica (UNA) has been implementing three scenarios in recent years for the strengthening of regional and local development: normative processes, strategic planning, and operational planning. Based on the problematizations and opportunities identified through multilevel governance, the enhancement of actions is coordinated with the financing of university and interuniversity competitive funds, and the implementation of two strategic lines; these funds support academic and student extension initiatives; Territorial Development Models (MDT) and regionalization initiatives; this in coordination with academic entities (departments, institutes, centers, campuses, and regional sections). This communication describes the theoretical, methodological, and practical strategy that the vice-rectory implements for strengthening regional development through interdisciplinary academic work, student participation, involvement of local populations and stakeholders, among others. The analysis is based on the qualitative and quantitative methodology, based on the experience of the authors as advisors to the Vice-Rectors. Results are explained according to the three scenarios defined in the introduction, contributing as an actor in the region, for the improvement lives of the interlocutor populations and the environment, in a dual teaching-learning-teaching way with respectful dialogue towards empirical, academic, and scientific knowledge.