EDUCACION SUPERIOR EN NICARAGUA

UCC , UN PULPO SORPRENDENTE EN LA EDUCACION


Yo siempre soñaba despierta con el Rey Midas de la mitología griega, aùn obviando que no pudo comer pues hasta el alimento se le hacìa aùreo. Cuando entrè al despacho del Dr. Gilberto Berman, rector de la Universidad de Ciencias Comerciales, me di cuenta que lo que toca este caballero de muy fina estampa, lo convierte en algo pràctico, útil y si posible cibernético. Esto constituye la horma perfecta del zapato para los avances tecnológicos de hoy, ya que la globalización nos dicta que la “compu” es el panacea. Fundada hace 45 años, la UCC fue la segunda universidad privada que tuvo Nicaragua(siendo la primera la de los seguidores de Ignacio de Loyola, la UCA). “En aquellos entonces Tacho era bien celoso de otorgarle permiso de operar a cualquiera, era selectivo y exigente, asì que no creàs que en 1960 la UCA tuvo facilidad para convencerlo, ni nosotros en 1964. Nacimos por los viejos juzgados de Managua, en la metrópoli compacta pre terremoto 1972, y solo como una entidad para proveer estudios de administración de empresas, economía, contabilidad, solo relacionado con este tipo de profesión. Luego nos fuimos a la Avenida Universitaria a la entrada del Colegio Americano, y en 1979 hasta ahí llegó la cosa, la revolución no quiso universidades privadas y nos quitaron del panorama. No fue sino hasta en 1990 que triunfa doña Violeta en las elecciones que la UCC resucita , con todo lo que es caja, contabilidad, secretariado, en Lozelsa. Fuimos ofreciendo las carreras que iban surgiendo y que prometìan ser cruciales para construirle el futuro a Nicaragua. Se comprò el terreno frente al Polideportivo España, que era un botadero de basura, y ahí fuimos edificando poco a poco hasta que ves lo que hoy somos, ”rememora el Dr. Berman para esta entrevista para Planetcecil.blogspot.com.
Presentemente, la Universidad de Ciencias Comerciales cuenta con tres manzanas ubicadas en Bosques de Altamira, sòlidamente construidas, y ofreciendo 23 carreras universitarias que abarca desde contabilidad hasta veterinaria. Cuenta con tres recintos, uno de tres manzanas en Managua, otro de seis manzanas en Leòn que hasta tiene un auditorio donde caben unas 6 mil personas, y otro en Matagalpa. A esas estructuras hay que añadir la finca Roma, donde se hacen las pràcticas de veterinaria, y que provee toda la carne porcina y pollo que se consume en los comedores internos de la UCC. Esta universidad incluso proporciona agua pura para beber a todos sus estudiantes y personal pues tienen licencia del MINSA para embotellar el agua de un pozo artesiano operado con equipos alemanes. Ademàs, es la única universidad que posee una fuerte plataforma de internet que le permite proveer gratis internet a sus docentes, personal y alumnado, Entre las ofertas educativas adicionalmente, la UCC proporciona una vasta gama de elección de cursos online para poder comenzar una nueva forma de estudios, actualizar conocimientos o sencillamente iniciarse en otra disciplina. “La UCC en definitiva no es barata, por eso la matrìcula no vale 20 dòlares,” menciona el rector.
”Hay que darle mantenimiento a nuestras estructuras, los tres recintos ,el centro Ecològico que tenemos en el Rìo San Juan, la finca veterinaria y el Hotel escuela en Masachapa donde los estudiantes de turismo y hotelerìa efectùan sus pràcticas. Mantener toda esa infraestructura es caro, y aquí no es como en Estados Unidos que muchos egresados que llegan a ser jefes corporativos, luego hacen donaciones al alma mater. Aquí muchos de nuestros empresarios se sienten contentos con proclamar que ellos pagan el 2 por ciento al INATEC, pero todos sabemos que esa no es la solución. Nadie quiere considerar la educación como una inversión sostenible.
“Por eso la matricula aquí para turno matutino cuesta 87 dòlares, con mensualidades de 90, 100 ò 110, 65 dòlares para el turno vespertino con aranceles de 50 dòlares por mes, y 87.7 para nocturno o sábado de matricula. Hay un dìa que dedicamos a personas de escasos recursos y es el dominical, con 35 dòlares la matrìcula y 35 la colegiatura. Queremos dar calidad, y la calidad no es barata.”
Una de las metas del dinàmico rector es dar capacitación a todos sus docentes para poder hacer la transición de las clases de presencia a las clases online”. En una clase presencial el profesor da la lección, el alumno està ahì y asimila. En el caso de una clase online el genuino protagonista es el alumno, a través de sus herramientas en la computadora donde està. El eje cambia de lugar” afirma el Dr.Berman.Por supuesto que el rector lLo primero que hizo fue asignarle direcciones de correos electrónicos a todos sus docentes, porque èl afirma no poderse dar el lujo de tener profesores que sean analfabetos digitales. “Hay que adaptarse al nuevo tipo de alumno que viene acà, es alguien que a lo mejor sabe màs del manejo de la computadora que el propio profesor, lo cual coloca al docente en un aprieto. Mirà los niños, de 7 años en adelante ya no juegan al cero escondido como vos y yo en la calle. Se quedan en casa ante su pantalla del monitor, y juegan quizás con una niña que vive en Estambul, por decirte algo. 100 por ciento de los niños uruguayos ya van con su laptop a clases, ya son alumnos que pueden progresar màs haciendo uso de recursos virtuales. La capacitación de los docentes en los tres recintos no conlleva que yo mande un entrenador donde ellos o ellos vengan a Managua. El entrenamiento es online. Por eso es que en esta universidad ofrecemos posgrados virtuales.”
Preocupado por el deterioro galopante del medio ambiente en Nicaragua, el Dr. Berman ha venido trabajando en un proyecto que comprende un Centro de Transferencias de tecnología sobre Cambios Climàticos, donde cuenta con la colaboración del Dr. Josè Milàn, quien es una autoridad sobre la materia. De Centroamèrica, solo la UCC participa en este importante proyecto que cuenta con el apoyo de diversas prestigiosas universidades de Amèrica y Europa, además del apoyo de la Uniòn Europea. El Dr. Berman incluso està terminando de preparar un libro sobre la educación del futuro, o sea, e-learning, para poder beneficiar al alumnado con los ùltimos avances de la tecnología digital.

TEACHER`S DUTY

Being out of the classroom is one of the worst things that can happen to a teacher, surpassable only by death. In a country where teachers are not valued, where they are underpaid and mistreated, it is often a tempation, in order to keep body and soul together in one piece, to succumb and be drawn by the siren chant from institutions that convert us into parrots and at the end, the kick is duly bound. If you read Homer, you will remember that Circe and her club were the downfall for many a good sailor. Same thing happens to teachers.If education is a religion, our classroom is the cathedral, the holiest place where we can be. Don`t ever let society, or the dollar sign, or a lazy husband trick you into anything, do not allow yourself to be bullied by the family.We have been given by our own endeavors and kismet the authority to transmit whatever knowledge we have learned in any possible way. That is the sacred duty towards ourselves and towards society.

my students, my children

The teacher`s pearl necklace consists of her students, each pupil a peerless pearl. Maria Montessori

HIGH QUALITY TRANSLATIONS

TRADUNIC COMES OF AGE

Founded in 1998 by his director, Edwing Salvatore Obando, the Nicaraguan enterprise TRADUNIC has established itself firmly as the leading entity for translations. With a vast experience as a translator and language teacher, Edwing Salvatore Obando has provided a much-needed service in our country. Offering translations in 8 languages, including our native Miskito, TRADUNIC has guaranteed that its name becomes a synonym of excellence. Along these fourteen years this translation outlet has provided simultaneous interpreters and translators for numerous important events, many of these linked with the government and international institutions. A brief list of the customers includes government ministries and agencies, NGOs and multnational enterprises alwaysrequiring only the best. Planetcecil strongly endorses this company due to its punctuality, good service, fair pricing and solid staff of professionals. You may contact Mr. Obando at Valle de Santa Rosa block B14 house 290,( from the crossing to Cuesta del Plomo,3.5 kms.west, telefax 22645019,email tradunic@ibw.com.ni or cellphone 88614084. It is with great pride that planetcecil presents this striving company as one of our best Nicaraguan enterprises.

MY OWN MARY SHELLEY ADVANCED ENGLISH LEARNING PROGRAM

Putting into practice the same methodology by which I learned my English, I created the Mary Shelley Advanced English Learning Program, and after undergoing a detailed perusal by my teacher Sir Ian Heathstone Armstrong, I started putting it into practice. Currently,several students are being tutored by me using my own methodology, deemed too "pure" and "essential" and non profitable by those who believe education is fit only for people with a lot of money. Here are the students who have been studying with this experimental method.

FRITZ

FRITZ
For Frederick II the Great of Prussia
“The first thing she had a mind to ask me, while I was still writhing in pain reside her dormant husband, was why I was searching for her. I felt sorry for having sunken my fingers into her spine, pulling strongly on the vertebrae in an outward direction. Weren´t the natural pains of a galloping diabetic neuropathy enough? But I needed her, I told her, and maybe because she was a historian and her name was Wilhelmina, and she reminded me of the woman I most loved in my life. Vilma, please, I´m known as Vilma even if on my birth certificate I am Wilhelmina..she hissed while her husband continued sleeping at ease in the enormous bed without having an inkling that his poor wife was struggling with me, her star nightmare of the week. It was then when I decided to resort to her intellectual´s ego, throwing aside any compliment having to do with her womanly self-esteem. I didn´t tell her that she had fascinating eyes, or that she looked better alter having lost 10 kilos of weight…you see, nobody like her could submit to paper the anguish that I went through so long time ago for the mere fact of having loved beyond measure.
“That about love without measure struck a response in her. She sat upright on the bed, smoothing her long camisole with a drawing of Taz the Tasmanian Devil, she lit her dark green night lamp with a graceful tap of her long iguana-like hand and she smiled for the first time. She reached over for a glass half full of water, swallowed a white pill and a small light blue capsule,and she said she was ready.Let go, she said, paper and pencil ready. I sat on the edge of the bed and she handed over to me a flat yellow cushion with Pikachu on it..Fritz,she said, just let yourself go, we will yarn.
“Fritz. Since how long ago had I heard my loving nickname pronounced? And she mentioned it with such a particular softness. The iridescent Nicaraguan Spanish got stuck in my German tongue, but I tried to speak to her in the best manner possible so she wouldn´t escape again before I could give her my testimony. Where could I begin? Okay, you know that my Dad was one of the greatest disciplinarians in history, and his rule began at home. My mom was told that he could FIRE the housemaids and she should do the laundry with her own hands. That was my old man. He saved even the last penny, and he had traced a plan for each one of us from the moment my mom´s belly bulged with child .We were 14, not all of us lived. It was the usual thing back then. I didn´t hassle my tutors, I got good grades, I loved history, but there weren´t big plans for me because there were males older than myself. I ask myself if I could have been happy if my older brothers hadn´t died. Once that all hopes befell on me, between one army training and a session of document signing, my dad started to pay attention to me. Too much I would add. But this attention was not like the tender handslapping going on with his huge sergeants who were over six feet tall. There was nothing I did that was right, according to him. My mother howled in horror as she saw him come in with the best disposition to get his hangover out on me, battering me, and afterwards I would weep on my sister Wilhelmina´s lap(she was three years my senior).
“Soon my outbursts with my mother and sister were not enough for the blonde adolescent that I became,To make things worse my hormones were activating, and it felt like hell candy to have my dad hitting me all the time in public, over things that I hadn´t even done yet. Who could understand what I felt? It wasn´t possible to do it with Doris, the daughter of my music teacher…not alter the beating my father gave me in public and throwing her in jail so that she never CAME too closet o me again) I tried escaping to France. Well, I spoke the language of the Louises better than my own native German, and it could be possible that on one of my dad´s work tours I World take advantage to cross the borders .But I needed the help of some youth who was bold and daring like myself. I spoke of my plans to my friends Keith and Katte, who agreed that I could not continue being my dad´s official punching bag anymore..
“But with Katte, who had stormy skies in his eyes, and they made me think of things that I could not confess, something strange happened. While we were planning my escape, I felt that his silky white skin was more myself than my own body and if I didn´t smell his odor of fresh sweat and incense. I could not find peace neither day nor night. At age 18, my fingers still had the suspicious chubby roundness of my fat childhood, and Katte World chuckle when I asked him to open his mouth and let me rub the edge of my short nails on the living rose satin of his inner cheeks. In fact, it was even too much coincidence that the sound of his last name, Katte, was so like the English word for cat. I always loved cats, and for me Katte was like a big white cat with dark blue eyes, a cat I always wanted to cuddle. Everything was ready for my escape,
I had already cried saying goodbye to my sister Wilhelmina,
When somebody blew the whistle on us to my dad .Keith managed to flee but Katte and I were caught. Days before this happened, my sister had warned us that we were playing a game way above our heads,too bold a plan, and Katte, with luminously shining eyes,had repeated to me that if he lost his head, life and everything for me it was worthwhile. A good thing he had though likewise, for the sake of both of us whose disgrace was about about to come.

“My father interrogated me as if I were the worst convict. I told him I wanted to go because he wasn´t like a father, but like an executioner. He told me I was a disgusting deserter from the glorious Prussian army. And that was the reason why I had no honor. It was then that I told him I had as much honor as he did and I couldn´t bear to be treated like a lowly slave, precisely because I had honor. My father wanted to kill me, and I think his foreign friends really exerted pressure on him not to do so and that saved my skin. He even told my mother he had killed me, although later he had to confess that he had only jailed me at the Kustrin fortress. Perhaps it would have been better if he would have killed me then and there, because I had to be the witness of something that exterminated my soul. Katte was taken before my window at the fortress and I was forced not to close my eyes and watch the horrible reality: my father had Katte beheaded. A true barbarian, right? It is not the same thing reading about this on a text, a cold historical Fac., than to have me tell it to you with tears in my eyes, Vilma, or Wilhelmina, or as you see fit to call yourself. Down there on the courtyard was that beloved body, more adored by me than if it were my own flesh. And the head! A sad and bloodied roundness, the stormy eyes with no final peace, the mouth opened in one smothered scream muted forever! Never being able to put my chubby fingers along his inner cheeks while he laughed. He was taken away and I could never keep his head like when Queen Margot de Valois saved the head of one of her lovers. I was alone now,jailed, without being able to do anything else than fainting after he died, crying and crying afterwards. I hated my own body that continued living, although I told myself that Katte had only loved me beyond measure. I had nightmares, and in them the headless corpse of Katte would follow me, ominous peals of laughter sounding from a head he no longer had, from a bloody mouth that wasn´t there anymore. A chaplain was brought to me so that I got religious books. Do you think at these heights that I had any wish to pray?There was born the philosopher that many insist that I was, but there died the man that could love I could never have a restful sleep anymore,and I couldn´t love anyone after Katte. Afterwards I was wed to a sweet dummy Isabel Christina, and although I was adored by my wife I could never love her nor beget children with her. I ruled and I was called the Great, the forger of what my nation is today, but in truth, although my palace was called Sans Souci(no worries,,I wasn´t but a tenuous peel of what I could have been. In fact, when I left this world, after having hemorrhoids and awful pains on my legs, I didn´t have peace either. And I haven´t had any throughout so many years of not existing except like a reference in history. When I left that time in 1786, I felt that my essence or soul or what you want to call it, fled from my skin through a tunnel that looked like Katte´s open mouth when he died by beheading. I have sought for him everywhere that I go gravitating, in this nothingness and there are no lengths to which I won´t go ,even waking you up from your well earned sleep, so that if by coincidence, like a transparent and gentle entity that navigates among the red hairs of your cats and the subset, Katte returns and he should know I´m looking for him. Let him know that I will never give him up for good, Don´t you think have justified myself for having disturbed you even knowing that I shouldn´t have caused you more pain than what you already have to deal with? You say nothing, Vilma. You just want to cry even though tragedy has never knocked on your life´s door, never like what happened to me. Forgive me, forgive your Fritz for this hassle and continue talking about me to your students the way you have done, with so much love and tenderness, mention that I loved cats like you, I´m your colleague as historian and military. But when you say that Frederick II of Prussia was a great king, think about it. I like the flattery…but remember how much I suffered and still do for what I was. Now, put away your notebook and your pity, go back to your bed, let me place your Pikachu pillow below your painful knee, the pills will start working and your column will straighten again, hug your husband and try to sleep, because later you will pour this nto writing even though you might have smiling desires to cry and tearful cravings to smile, because even though you may peg me as a sadist, we finally met.”

Fritz, through CeciliaLevallois
October 25 th, 2003. I was getting out of my straitjacketed wheelchair