Consejo Nacional de Rectores CONARE

Overview

The Consejo Nacional de Rectores (CONARE), National Council of Rectors, is the constitutional coordinating body for Costa Rica's public higher education system. Established in 1971, CONARE plays a pivotal role in the planning, development and governance of the nation's state universities. It comprises the rectors of Costa Rica's five public universities: Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR), Universidad Nacional (UNA), Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED), Universidad Técnica Nacional (UTN) and Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC). According to uniRank, CONARE is recognized as the central authority for higher education coordination in the country.

History and Legal Framework

CONARE was officially created through the Coordination Agreement signed on December 4, 1974, by the rectors of UCR, TEC and UNA. This agreement laid the foundation for a collaborative approach to higher education governance in Costa Rica. The legal framework was further solidified with the granting of legal personality to CONARE by the Costa Rican government, enabling it to function as an autonomous entity within the public education system. This legal recognition underscores CONARE's role in shaping and overseeing the development of higher education in the country.

Mission, Vision and Objectives

CONARE's mission is to contribute to the progress of society by managing knowledge for sustainable development through programs, projects and activities articulated with public universities and various sectors. Its vision is to influence public policy debates and decision-making processes by managing knowledge that enhances engagement and collaboration with different sectors for sustainable development. The objectives of CONARE include:

• Coordinating and planning the development of public higher education in Costa Rica.
• Promoting collaboration among public universities to enhance educational quality and relevance.
• Advocating for policies that support the advancement of higher education and research.
• Ensuring equitable access to higher education across the country.
• Fostering international cooperation to enhance the global standing of Costa Rican universities.

Governance, Structure and Independence

CONARE operates as an autonomous body within Costa Rica's higher education system. It is governed by a board consisting of the rectors of the five public universities, with the Director of the Office of Planning and Educational Services (OPES) serving as a non-voting member. This structure ensures that decision-making processes are inclusive and representative of the diverse public institutions in the country. The autonomy granted to CONARE allows it to function independently, enabling effective coordination and development of higher education policies and initiatives.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation Role

While CONARE does not directly conduct accreditation or quality evaluations, it plays a significant role in overseeing and supporting these processes. The Sistema Nacional de Acreditación de la Educación Superior (SINAES), an entity affiliated with CONARE, is responsible for the accreditation of higher education programs and institutions in Costa Rica. CONARE collaborates with SINAES to ensure that accreditation processes align with national educational goals and standards, thereby contributing to the continuous improvement of educational quality across the public university system.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

CONARE actively engages in international collaborations to enhance the global presence and impact of Costa Rican higher education. It represents Costa Rica in various international scientific and educational networks, facilitating partnerships and exchange programs that benefit both students and faculty. Notably, CONARE has been instrumental in Costa Rica's participation in the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), where a consortium of Costa Rican universities, coordinated by CONARE, became a full member of the LHCb Collaboration in 2022. This involvement underscores CONARE's commitment to fostering international research collaborations and elevating the country's scientific contributions on the global stage.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

Looking ahead, CONARE aims to continue strengthening the public higher education system in Costa Rica by focusing on several key areas:

• Enhancing Educational Quality: Implementing initiatives that promote academic excellence and innovation within public universities.
• Expanding Access: Developing policies and programs that increase access to higher education for underrepresented populations.
• International Collaboration: Building and sustaining partnerships with global academic and research institutions to enrich the educational experience.
• Policy Advocacy: Engaging with policymakers to advocate for legislation and funding that support the growth and development of higher education.

Through these efforts, CONARE seeks to ensure that Costa Rica's public universities continue to play a vital role in the nation's development and in addressing global challenges.

Summary

The Consejo Nacional de Rectores (CONARE) is a cornerstone of Costa Rica's public higher education system, providing essential coordination and governance across the nation's five public universities. Established in 1971 and granted legal autonomy, CONARE's mission focuses on managing knowledge for sustainable development through collaborative programs and projects. Its governance structure ensures inclusive decision-making, while its role in supporting accreditation processes and fostering international collaborations enhances the quality and global standing of Costa Rican higher education. Looking forward, CONARE remains committed to advancing educational quality, expanding access and advocating for policies that support the continued growth and impact of public universities in Costa Rica.

FAQs

• What is CONARE?
  CONARE is the constitutional coordinating body for Costa Rica's public higher education system, comprising the rectors of the nation's five public universities.
• When was CONARE established?
  CONARE was officially created through the Coordination Agreement signed on December 4, 1974, by the rectors of UCR, TEC and UNA.
• What is CONARE's role in accreditation?
  While CONARE does not directly conduct accreditation, it collaborates with the Sistema Nacional de Acreditación de la Educación Superior (SINAES) to oversee and support accreditation processes within the public university system.
• How does CONARE support international collaboration?
  CONARE represents Costa Rica in various international scientific and educational networks, facilitating partnerships and exchange programs that benefit students and faculty.
• What are CONARE's future priorities?
  CONARE aims to enhance educational quality, expand access to higher education, build international collaborations and advocate for supportive policies to strengthen the public higher education system in Costa Rica.

Organization Name

Consejo Nacional de Rectores
National Council of Rectors

Acronym

CONARE

Year of Establishment

4/12/1974

Control Type

Private

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

Edificio "Dr. Franklin Chang Díaz". de la Embajada de los Estados Unidos de América, 1,3 km al Norte, Pavas; Apdo. 1174-1200
San José
San José Costa Rica

Phone

+506 2519 5700

Fax

+506 2296 5626

List of universities that are members of Consejo Nacional de Rectores (CONARE), the Costa Rican National Council of Rectors:

1. Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED)
2. Universidad Nacional (UNA)
3. Universidad Técnica Nacional (UTN)
4. Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR)
5. Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC)

Official Social Media Channels

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Consejo Nacional de Rectores's Facebook page

X (Twitter)

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LinkedIn

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YouTube

Consejo Nacional de Rectores's YouTube channel

Instagram

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Wikipedia Article

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