University Extension at UNAN-Managua: a community development approach

Abstract

This paper presents the work of Extension at the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, Managua (UNAN-Managua) as a key component for social and community development in Nicaragua. In this context, through a documentary analysis, the concepts of Extension will be recorded, as well as the background of this process in higher education institutions. It also describes the experience and challenges in extension of UNAN-Managua from the character of public service present in the Law of Autonomy of Higher Education Institutions. The role of Extension for the promotion of community development is examined, emphasizing the concept and context of the community as a strategic model for educational institutions in which the process of university-community communication from Extension is dimensioned as part of the strategies for strengthening this linkage. In this area, some achievements obtained from university Extension for community development are reviewed. It is concluded that University Extension at UNAN-Managua has positioned itself as a strategic process for the community development of the Nicaraguan people, having as a priority the social welfare of families, community and society in general. Therefore, achievements have been evidenced for the development and transformation of the communities without losing sight of the opportunity to perpetuate a global vision of knowledge and proposals for social development from the university function.