Five private universities in Uruguay and the Technological University (UTEC) have joined MetaRed, an international network that promotes academic collaboration, the exchange of experiences, and the development of projects among higher education institutions in Ibero-America.
The initiative brings together the Universidad ORT Uruguay, the Universidad de la Empresa (UDE), the Universidad Católica del Uruguay, the Universidad de Montevideo, the Universidad CLAEH, and UTEC. It was launched in Uruguay on Tuesday, October 27, at the Radisson Victoria Plaza Hotel in Montevideo.
Dr. Pablo Landoni, academic vice president of the University of the East ( Universidad ORT Uruguay), serves as interim president of MetaRed Uruguay. The event was hosted by the UDE, which currently holds the pro tempore secretariat of the Council of Rectors of Private Universities.
Joining this network allows Uruguayan institutions to participate in international working groups, learn from experiences in other countries, and explore funding opportunities for joint initiatives.
A network with a pan-Ibero-American reach
MetaRed emerged from the 4th Universia International Rectors' Meeting, which brought together more than 700 rectors from 26 countries. Sponsored by Santander Universities and Universia, the organization seeks to create opportunities for collaboration between public and private universities to address common challenges in higher education.
Before expanding into Uruguay, the network already had a presence in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Spain, Mexico, and Portugal, among others.
MetaRed organizes its activities through specialized communities that develop training programmes , conduct studies on the challenges facing higher education, and facilitate international meetings among university professionals.
https://youtu.be/4CfB_Si65JU?si=hcl-dm1eA6vHXoEg&t=29
In an interview with UDE’s program *La Gaceta Entrevista*, Landoni explained that one of the main challenges for Uruguay is to move toward more systematic forms of institutional cooperation that do not depend exclusively on personal contacts between academics and government officials.
“I believe the Uruguayan university system is mature enough to move on to the next stage, where we can cooperate more at the institutional level,” he said.
Three Areas of Work
The organization structures its activities into three specialized communities, each focused on different challenges in higher education.
MetaRed TIC promotes the digital transformation of universities through the exchange of knowledge and technological solutions. Its areas of focus include the integration of digital tools into teaching, cybersecurity, the development of digital skills, and the improvement of academic and administrative management processes.
MetaRed X focuses on university entrepreneurship and on strengthening the ties between higher education and the business sector. It seeks to facilitate collaboration among innovation centers, share experiences in supporting entrepreneurs, and promote joint initiatives with companies and public agencies.
Regarding this area, Landoni mentioned the potential for collaboration among the entrepreneurship centers at the participating universities, including the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at the Universidad ORT Uruguay.
He also highlighted the potential for collaboration with institutions such as the National Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (INEFOP) and the National Development Agency (ANDE).
For its part, MetaRed S, which focuses on sustainability and social responsibility at the university, addresses both environmental challenges and the social dimension of academic activity and its connection to the community.
As an example of this type of cooperation in Uruguay, Landoni mentioned the UNIS Network, which brings together universities around sustainability initiatives. He also referred to an event on climate finance led by UTEC, with the participation of faculty members from various universities.
An agenda of joint projects
The launch of MetaRed Uruguay was attended by national and international university officials, as well as two coordinators from MetaRed Global, based in Spain, who presented the organization’s operations and the opportunities for Uruguayan institutions to participate. The opening remarks were delivered by the rector , Roberto Brezzo, on behalf of the host institution, the UDE.
The participating universities will be responsible for defining priorities and selecting projects to be carried out, while Santander Universidades and Universia will continue to promote opportunities for international collaboration and exchange.