In March, IESALC launched puntoEDU, the podcast of higher education in Latin America and the Caribbean. PuntoEDU is a radio magazine that discuss current trends in higher education in the region. It has been created as a communication tool aimed at broadening discussion on current challenges faced by higher education and is currently available on the web site of UNESCO-IESALC. Universities radio stations are already including puntoEdu in their program schedules.

So far puntoEDU has delivered five editions. The first focused on the controversial subject of the "brain drain". Dr Sylvie Didou, specialist on the subject, was interviewed by the radio program. In addition, puntoEDU included other news on the theme, as well as the results of the Higher Education Networking Meeting held in Galápagos.

The second edition discussed public universities, private universities, and their financing. This time, puntoEDU interviewed two students – one from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) and the other from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. Also in this edition, Dr. Carmen García Guadilla ( professor and academic consultant of UNESCO-IESALC) spoke of various controversial themes that face public and private universities in regards to financing.

The third edition of puntoEDU was dedicated to women working in science, and featured two winners of the "Women in Science" award sponsored by L’Oreal and UNESCO, in order to learn about challenges facing women who are also scientists in Latin America and the Caribbean. PuntoEDU also talked to one of the pioneers in the study of science in Latin America, Dr. Hebe Vessuri, who talked about the relevance of women in the world of science in this region.

The fourth edition of puntoEDU was dedicated to "the pertinence of higher education". According to UNESCO, the pertinence of higher education has to do with the place that it occupies in society; that is, its mission in terms of education, research, and services. This edition interviewed Simon Schwartzman (sociologist and researcher at the Research Institute on Labour and Society, in Rio de Janeiro). Dr. Schwartzman emphasized the role of higher education in training teachers for basic education, as well as the development of critical thinking provided by the university environment. In another interview Dr. Javier Botero (former Vice-Minister of Education of Colombia, and Vice-President of the Executive Council of IESALC) spoke about how some countries are attempting to measure the impact of professionals upon graduating and entering society.

This week, puntoEDU brings its fifth edition. The topic is access and equity in higher education in Latin America and the Caribbean. PuntoEDU interviewed Dr. Humberto Gonzalez (Profesor at the University Central of Venezuela) who explained that "When we speak about access, we speak about the oportunities for all type of students to enter higher education institutions. When we speak about equity we are talking about social inclusion, taking in consideration minorities, peole with special needs and gender".

In its 6th edition, the topis is cultural diversity and interculturality with Dr. Daniel Mato (professor of the UCV and IESALC researcher).

PuntoEDU is available at www.iesalc.unesco.org.ve

By Luz Pardellas
UNESCO-IESALC

www.iesalc.unesco.org.ve