Transformation of the delivery model of a networked doctoral program in Colombia: Testimonies of three actors in the field

Abstract

To train high-calibre researchers who will contribute to the country's scientific development, three Colombian universities have partnered to offer a doctoral program in engineering, including three research areas: automation, energy, and computer science. The program has been approved by the Colombian Ministry of Education to be offered in a face-to-face mode. To comply with the physical attendance requirement, students must go to the institution's campus where they are enrolled. However, each course is taught through a video conferencing system by a professor located at any of the three partner universities. Due to the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, neither students nor teachers have been physically present in the telepresence classrooms and have been forced to conduct their courses entirely at a distance. This new reality has been the catalyst that pushed the university authorities to transform the program's delivery modality. In this interview, three professors present their views on this transformation.