In “Lack of HE collaboration in Latin America ‘goes back centuries’” (News, 12 January), Fredric Michael Litto discusses why there is relatively little collaboration between universities and scholars across the region.
As a professor of history at the National University of San Marcos in Peru, I agree that the situation is poor. Regarding Peru, one reason for the lack of cross-border university ties is academic nationalism. Relationships with universities in Peru’s Spanish-speaking neighbours (Ecuador, Bolivia and Chile) are not very developed. Professors are less internationally minded than most young people, and they seem to know more about the northern hemisphere than they do about the southern.
There are several exchange programmes between Latin American universities; but in Peru’s case, limited financial resources or poor communication, or both, prevent students from taking advantage of them.
I organise the International Seminar of Global History at UNMSM. This has changed the situation. The seminar connects students and professors with peers in other countries such as Brazil, and next year, we will organise a congress of social sciences with the Foundation Getúlio Vargas.
Héctor Maldonado
Department of history
National University of San Marcos, Peru
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