Competitiveness of higher education in four Latin American countries: The perspective of a global rankin

Abstract

This paper evaluates the competitiveness of the higher education systems of Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico, according to the Center for World University Rankings from 2007 to 2014. The ranking, produced by the World Economic Forum, reviewed universities in 144 countries in 2014. For the four Latin American countries under review, it cited strengths in the following areas: university management, tertiary enrollment rates, and the capacity for local research. Meanwhile, it identified as weaknesses the quality of the higher education systems as a whole, as well as the quality of teaching in math and science. In comparison with four Asian countries, the panorama is markedly different.