University Autonomy: Notes for Discussion

This essay offers a brief reflection on the concept of university autonomy, focusing on addressing two critical issues: a) the implications for public university carries the emergence of a new conception of knowledge, defined as pragmatic, instrumental and utilitarian, b) institute seeks changes in public universities by the government authorities and other agencies (national and international), as part of what may be called a process of transformation of the institutionalism of the State of Costa Rica, that began a quarter century ago and which is developed in synch with the establishment of the country's new economic model of trade openness, foreign direct investment, "competitive advantage", "production and export niche", international free trade agreements.