Abstract:

The higher education system (HES) in Honduras is directed and organized by the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH), which, by constitutional mandate, functions as the Ministry of Higher Education through a Higher Education Law and administers the HES under the guidelines of a Directorate of Higher Education. Following the completion of the 2014-2023 planning period, the main achievements of this management period, which transcend the cycles of rectors' administrations and university board authorities, can be identified.

In alignment with the long-term mission mandate of the General Plan for the Comprehensive Reform of UNAH by 2025, the Institutional Strategic Plan (PEI) 2014-2023 centered its strategic objectives on sustaining the growth of the HES, ensuring governance, and creating management tools for the processes of quality accreditation in higher education. Over the years, recognizing the efforts of the 22 higher education institutions, a systematization of the main milestones that marked strategic management and its results in the evolution of the HES can be carried out.

The higher education institutions expanded their academic program offerings, improved management statutes and regulations, diversified fields of knowledge, and increased their geographical coverage as some of their most significant achievements. Additionally, the establishment of new higher education institutions, particularly in intermediate cities, has facilitated the opening of undergraduate, postgraduate, and non-formal higher education programs. Moreover, public universities have decentralized their operations towards regional centers, enhancing academic offerings with territorial relevance.

One of the major achievements of the plan was realized through the efforts of higher education institutions making significant investments in their technological management platforms and virtual campuses, a process accelerated by the urgent needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This development has supported the expansion of distance education systems and the creation of hybrid systems, thereby increasing access for the population.

The recently established national public universities have achieved their own academic positioning and specialization, contributing to the improvement of specific fields such as national defense, security, and forestry sciences.

The greatest milestone of the decade was the institutional accreditation of three public universities by international accreditation organizations, highlighting the scientific and research efforts of universities in their participatory role in society. This external recognition strengthens the strategic vision and underscores the need to continue the work of aligning the HES with international standards of higher education.

The social demands on the higher education system in Honduras are significant, as is the commitment to promote strategies that improve the quality of life of citizens and, through its actions, achieve higher levels of sustainable human development. The progress made has been substantial and is recognized. However, the articulation of actions remains one of the greatest challenges for the HES to achieve the broader aspiration of the Honduran university.

Keywords:

Coverage, Governance, quality accreditation, quality accreditation.