CABEI's historic investment continues to benefit thousands of university students in Guatemala
The infrastructure and equipment program, implemented nationwide between 1994 - 2013, marked a transcendental step in the social development of the country, raising the level of attention initially to 200 thousand students.
Guatemala, September 28th, 2023.- For 29 years, the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) has played a fundamental role in the development of higher education by promoting an investment program in infrastructure, machinery and equipment for the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC) to improve access and quality for the country's student population.
The initiative was developed in two stages; the first from 1994 to 2000 and the second from 2005 to 2013, focused on the construction, expansion and remodeling of educational spaces. In addition, it enriched the academic environments by providing machinery, furniture and state-of-the-art equipment at both the Central Campus and the Regional University Centers, initially benefiting more than 200 thousand students.
"Our commitment is not limited to the classroom, but extends to more than 156 municipalities and their communities, strengthening the links between academia and society. CABEI has marked a historic milestone in higher education by providing young Guatemalans with better learning conditions through the strengthening of 37 higher education centers throughout the country", said CABEI Vice President Jaime Díaz Palacios.
CABEI's investment of US$53.6 million enabled the construction of 242,268 square meters of infrastructure in the form of new classroom buildings, laboratories, library, multipurpose rooms, parking lots, sports and administrative areas; including furniture, equipment and educational and security technology, benefiting more than 13 university faculties.
With this emblematic educational intervention in Guatemala, the Bank adds its support to the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals, linked to SDG1: End poverty in all its forms worldwide, SDG 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all , and SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
CABEI is proud to contribute to ensuring equal access for men and women to quality technical, professional and higher education, and reiterates its willingness to continue working together with Guatemalan institutions to forge a prosperous future for Guatemalan families.
