Experiment opens college to everyone in Mexico City

[Judi Lynn]

Jan. 18, 2006, 12:10AM
Experiment opens college to everyone in Mexico City
Presidential hopeful hails it as the future; critics call it populism running amok


By MARION LLOYD
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Foreign Service

MEXICO CITY - There are no entrance exams. In fact, there are no exams at all, nor grades. Classroom attendance is optional, and tuition is free.

Welcome to the Autonomous University of Mexico City, or UACM. This radical experiment in higher education is how Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the presidential front-runner, sees the future of public universities in Mexico: accessible to all, regardless of age, income or academic achievement.

The former Mexico City mayor created the UACM by decree in April 2001, fulfilling a pledge to give disadvantaged residents the chance to attend college. If elected president in July for the leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution, he has vowed to re-create the experimental model in 30 new public universities across Mexico.

"Lopez Obrador is worried about the poor, who can't pay for a university and can't get into the public ones," said Marcos Corona, a telephone operator, who supports a family of four on his $240 monthly salary. "He cared about those who are rejected, who don't fit, and there are a lot of us."
(snip/...)

http://chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3594289.html

[Irreverend IX]

1. Interesting...

But I wonder what practical benefit could be gained from attending. Will they even issue diplomas, and if so why would an employer attach value to one?

[xchrom]

2. learning is it's own benefit.

raising the overall educational depth and breadth of your population can only garner positive results.

those who are disciplined will make use of the opportunity -- and find ways to use it to their advantage.

some others -- albeit few -- will take a class just because they have an interest in the subject.

[bananas]

3. It sounds like self-directed study

The UACM goes a step further, abolishing traditional grades and exams. Students are encouraged to take the initiative in their own learning, "certifying" their knowledge before a commission when they feel ready.


You work with the professors to create a curriculum,
and give you a certificate when you've mastered the material.
You have the full resources of the university and professors,
and can create a highly focused study or a broader study.

Sometimes called "Self-Directed Learning".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-directed_learning

There's a similar approach to high school
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_high_school

[Swamp Rat]

4. Buena suerte.

:D

[Lochloosa]

5. I hope this works out.

I have always believed that there are some incredibly smart people that if given the opportunity can and will excel. Some just do not do well in a traditional educational setting.

[bananas]

6. The result will be Americans crossing into Mexico for an education

There was a thread earlier about cutbacks in the student loan programs.

[long_green]

7. LOL!

we'd sure deserve that.