Ciao!

I never understood Bolivian universities. The rector (Chancellor) is a political position and elected by students. A lot of the University positions are distributed among party supporters. If serious reforms are implemented within the Universities, such as getting rid of "career students", I think there would be a more efficient use of funds.

I've been exposed to tear gas before, as part of my training with the BP. Got a heavy dose of it - nasty stuff. Also got sprayed in the eyes with OC (Oleoresin Capsicum), and then had to take down a couple of "bad guys" at gunpoint in a night practical exercise. My eyes swelled nearly shut, watered like a sprinkler, and I had trouble breathing. Horrible stuff. The upshot was that I got to shoot my physical training instructor with a sims round - a small piece of plastic full of paint that *hurts*. I would've endured the spray a hundred times for that experience.

WOW! Pretty great post ... i am learning so much. Keep posting ..

Did you hear about our PhiA conference or the MSU comic supply?

I wonder, and I am not good w/ Latin American politics (but will take individual reading w/ Rhodes in Summer I), if they can actually know how to live w/o thoughts of military coups and protesting. Is there any optimistic view of stable future in the region at all? N.

Yes, some serious reforms in the public universties are in order. So many students enter for "careers" in university politics (e.g. a 21-year freshman?!). Also, many students get enrolled after protesting (despite flunking entrance exams). In the long run, they can't get jobs because no one gives much weight to public university diplomas. Serious students tend to do whatever they can to enroll in private universities, which keep growing in prestige & size.

And I'm not sure if Bolivians (or Latin American) will ever live down a two-centuries history of military rule.

Actually, I think most employers in Bolivia give more weight to public university diplomas. They figure if you can get through all the strikes, unrest, overcrowded classrooms (I've seen some students stand in the hall trying to listen to lecture, because it was too crowded), then you're a pretty bright individual..or just lucky.

Private universities are basically pay-for-diploma education centers. If you have the money to pay for a private university, they won't turn you away. A lot of Brasilians were going to Medical School in Univalle in Cochabamba, because there were no entrance requirements.

Eduardo:

I'd like to know which careers you speak of, and which universities. Yes, some private universities are fly-by-night operations. But some have impecable reputations. Like UCB (Universidad Catolica) and UPSA (Universidad Privada de Santa Cruz). I know from many people that some careers at the UMSA, for example, are looked down on because students get degrees, but might've gotten them because of a strike. In Santa Cruz, at least, UAGRM (Universidad Autonoma Gabriel Rene Moreno) is looked down on.

Of course, in terms of political science, sociology, stuff like that, the public universities have the highest reputations. Mainly because many of the better private universities focus on "professions" (accounting, marketing, etc).

In terms of teaching, many private schools prefer to hire those educated outside the public system, since many of the Normal Schools are filled w/ people who entered the program because of a protest (like the current one). Rather than take a chance hiring a graduate who should've never gone to college, many employers in the private sector turn to others.

At least, this is the impression I get from many people. It's certainly not a scientific survey or definite conclusions.

Also, while many private universities lacked entrance exams & such in the past, they've made strides to change that. Because they're market driven, in the past five years there's been a rush to get international acreditation (including w/ US institutions) to attract students (and their money). Universidad NUR (in Santa Cruz), for example, is internationally acredited & recently signed a sister-university convenio w/ my university (Western Michigan University, a Research II institution).

The last few days have been by far so interesting to read and to help me understand the situation there. From living in both Cochabamba and Santa Cruz and then visiting in La Paz, the cultural and political climate of each departamento is so unique. It is a wonder that they have co-existed so well. Keep writing.

Public/Private Universities:

The biggest difference can be found in the carrera of Medicine. Certainly, this is one of the most important programs because it deals directly with human lives. Those who can't get into UMSS, usually end up going to Univalle or Universidad Privada de Latinoamerica. I know students from both institutions, and I can say that I would probably trust my own health with those who graduated from UMSS. You can just see a difference in the quality of student, commitment, etc.

Now, I'm not saying that private universities are of a poor quality. I took a semester at the UCB in Cochabamba. It was like night and day. Class sizes were controlled, there was no real conflict and it was highly organized. My two professors taught at both the UCB and UMSS. My anthropology professor was incredibly smart and I learned a great deal from that course (even though it began at 7 am!)

Eduardo:

Clearly, there are vast differences in levels of competency across disciplines. Medicine is very respected at public universities. I mean more about "professions" like accounting, architecture, engineering, stuff like that — the jobs that occupy most people's lives (those who went to college, at least). And here, I've been given the strong impression that private university graduates are much preferred.

Correction: I meant to say that I wouldn't trust my health from those who didn't graduate from UMSS.