ABOUT THE UAC-CP

The Unidad Académica Campesina is dedicated to making higher education available to young Bolivians with talent and ambition but with few economic resources, from throughout the department of La Paz.

Through programs that address the most pressing concerns of rural people—health, education, the environment and income-generation—UAC-CP gives young Bolivians the tools to become leaders in the development of their own communities.

The mission of the College is grounded in the Aymara concept of “Ayni,” based on the idea of mutual responsibility, sharing and protecting resources and working for the common good. This idea finds its parallel in the concept of the U.S. Land Grant Colleges, providing education that interacts with and benefits the surrounding communities at every step. Integrated with its superior academic curriculum, three components add to graduates’ valuable experience and promote well-being in the region:

• EXTENSION/OUTREACH. With a specific focus on surrounding communities, UAC-CP students and staff share knowledge and expertise with community members and provide health, literacy and agricultural services to six Andean provinces.
  
  
  
  
• RESEARCH. In each academic program, students and faculty research real problems faced by people in the area and work to develop solutions that are feasible, sustainable and participatory. Most students must complete an original research project addressing a community need before graduation.
  
  
  
  
• PRODUCTION. Through the production and sale of various agricultural products, the College increases the incomes of local farm families, ensures the economic sustainability of the College and trains rural people in production techniques that will improve the long-term economic viability of the region.