Universities in biodiverse Latin American countries need to demonstrate they are ¡°transformation agents¡± rather than ¡°just repositories of knowledge¡± by taking the lead on protecting delicate ecosystems, a conference has heard.

Leaders gathered at?ÌÇÐÄVlog¡¯²õ?Latin America Universities Summit 2025?have bemoaned the lack of cross-country collaboration that occurs in the region.

But Gilda Alc¨ªvar, dean of the Guayaquil city campus of Ecotec University in Ecuador, said it was up to universities to foster such ties.

¡°I think universities, and we as educational leaders, can be the ones that can make the difference because universities are the most credible institutions in our countries so we can start collaborating between each other, between different countries,¡± she told the event at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG).

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¡°Set an example to the governments that we can make a difference because we have a common goal that is working in sustainability, not only for environmental [reasons] but for the people, for the community through education.¡±

A key element in maintaining universities¡¯ credibility rests on?their relationship with the media, according to Alc¨ªvar. She?urged academics to be more open with the press?and to come out from ¡°behind our walls and our labs¡±.

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¡°We can set up the agenda of this important topic and demonstrate to the community and to society that we have identified the problems, but we have a solution and a path [forwards].

¡°I think most people when they see this huge problem see it as something that is so big and so out of their reach. If they can find a way to work or to contribute¡­universities can be that actor.¡±

Silvia Caro, vice-president of academic affairs at the University of the Andes, Colombia, agreed that the role of universities was ¡°absolutely key¡± in promoting sustainability.

However, universities must demonstrate to the public how they can be ¡°transformation agents¡± rather than just repositories of knowledge, she said.

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Brazil, where the conference is taking place, is one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet. Caro, who is based in Bogot¨¢, Colombia, another hugely biodiverse country, said that this ¡°privilege comes with responsibility¡± to preserve it.

¡°When we talk about sustainability, climate change, resilience and bioeconomy that integrates all that, I think that we have everything but funding,¡± she added.

¡°We have the means, we have the communities, we have the traditional knowledge, we have the capacity to produce the solution.¡±

Caro warned that Latin America¡¯²õ collaboration with the Global North in terms of biosolutions has been ¡°unbalanced¡± and called for a ¡°paradigm shift¡± in that relationship.

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And Alessandro Moreira, vice-rector of UFMG, urged universities to ¡°think big¡± and to speed up the integration of sustainability models into the curricula, and the educating of graduates in sustainability.

¡°I think we are working to do that, but¡­a change of mindset is necessary specifically for us in university because here in Brazil 95 per cent of research development is in universities, so we have to live these changes.¡±

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patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com