I2LATAM: STRENGTHENING RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN YOUNG UNIVERSITIES FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN LATIN AMERICA

Public and private universities in Latin America faced pressure from government agencies and accrediting bodies to produce research results in an increasingly global and competitive higher education environment. Research excellence was perceived as a key factor in assessing university quality and contributing to the socioeconomic development of the region. However, existing evaluations did not fully capture this contribution.

Metrics like the number of publications and frequency of citation in peer-reviewed journals drove competition for prestige, where the means became ends in themselves. While some Latin American universities performed well in these assessments, many did not receive similar recognition.

Younger universities, characterized by having less than fifty years of existence, often lacked large research resources and infrastructures. Despite these challenges, they benefitted from simpler administrative structures, effective communication within their institutions, and strong connections with external stakeholders like industry and local governments.

These young universities could strengthen research and innovation by overcoming challenges such as fragmented research, better collaboration with industries, and enhancing capacity for sustainable research. This involves equipping researchers with the skills to transform research outcomes into innovations and contribute to regional socioeconomic development.

In this context, the project created an alliance among young and regionally engaged Latin American universities in Argentina, Mexico, Peru, and Colombia, supported by European partners from Portugal, Ireland, and Spain. The goal was to strengthen research and innovation capacities by identifying strategies and implementing actions to connect research activities with regional development needs and opportunities.