FOR-PROFIT HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN COLOMBIA

Higher education has traditionally been offered by public and private non-profit institutions. However, some countries allow the activity of for-profit higher education institutions and these have gradually increased their importance in terms of numbers of students who attend, their geographical presence and growth. A discussion on the possible creation of this type of organization in Colombia invites us to deepen our understanding of some benefits and disadvantages of such a scenario. This article presents some reflections on the possible implications of for-profit higher education institutions on education in general and research in particular. After reviewing the experience in other countries, discussing the way in which new knowledge is currently produced and the implications of approving such institutions in Colombia, a conclusion is reached which suggests that the result of their implementation in Colombia would be the broadening of possibilities for technical, technological and continued education. However, the development of basic and applied research and the offering of postgraduate research programs such as Masters and Doctorates should continue to be carried out under the auspices of traditional not-for-profit higher education institutions. Furthermore, the importance of a regulatory framework which protects government resources allocated to the development of the sciences in Colombia and which guarantees the quality of education offered through these new institutions is highlighted.