Abstract

ALCANTARA SANTUARIO, Armando  and  JIMENEZ NAJERA, Yuri. Higher education policies and the production of knowledge in Mexico (1980-2011). Rev. Inter Ação [online]. 2013, vol.38, n.2, pp.363-382. ISSN 0101-7136.  https://doi.org/10.5216/ia.v38i2.26111.

This study deals with different processes and indicators related to Higher Education (HE) and the production of knowledge in Mexico over the last thirty years. The data which were analyzed would indicate that despite the rapid expansion of HE in Mexico from 1980 to 2011, productivity in research and the production of knowledge are very low, not just when compared with more developed countries but also with others in the region. The accelerated expansion of HE is a global phenomenon, even though more visible in some regions than in others. In comparative terms, Mexico and Brazil showed a marked increase in absolute terms, although their overall levels of coverage are somewhat average. In the case of Mexico, indicators of scientific, technological and innovative capacity showed a low investment in terms of GDP. The number of postgraduates has increased significantly over recent years although they are still few in proportion to the total number. The number of doctoral students who graduate annually is quarter that of Brazil. The research community is greatly reduced, both in global and in regional terms. Despite the significant increase in the number of articles published in international jornals, it is still very low. The coefficient of innovative work, however, tends to decrease. Even though the indicators are insufficient and limited, there is room for moderate optimism because of the increase in the number of students at higher and postgraduate education levels, as well as the perspective of greater governmental investment in research, technology and innovation.

Keywords : Higher Education; Research; Production of Knowledge.

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