EXPERIENCIA EN EL DESARROLLO Y LA GESTIÓN DE UNA MAESTRÍA TECNOLÓGICA EN LÍNEA: MASTER EN TECNOLOGÍA DEL AGUA PARA BOLIVIA.

Abstract

Developing countries are demanding specialize training to cover the lack of experts in the different emerging areas of the region. Bolivia have a significant support from different cooperation programs that support the development of facilities to manage one of their threatened resources: water. However, skilled local workforce to manage and maintain the facilities is required. An agreement between Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) and Universidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo (UCB) allowed the development of an online program to train selected professionals in the area of water technology. The master degree not only provides local engineers with the knowledge needed to design, manage and maintain water and waste water treatment facilities but develop researching skills to approach current and coming water issues. To preserve the know-how within the country, the degree has been developed under an online framework with a short visit to Spain by the end of the academic course to close the program. More than 50 candidates signed up and 27 were selected; 22 students finish successfully. This paper analyzes the experience and its results. Technical inconveniences due to the online methodology and different socio-cultural parameters are included in the analysis.