Medical students from across Central America crowd El Salvador's Universidad José Matias Delgado, one of the region's top universities. "We have invested a lot of time and money in our two main faculties, medicine and technology, and we have agreements with two U.S. universities in these areas," says Rector David Escobar Galindo.
"Our law school, our school of economics and our humanities department are also renowned for their excellence," adds Mr. Galindo. Founded in 1977, the university offers 22 degree programs and attracts students from all social classes.
After ten years at the school, Mr. Escobar has clear ideas on educational reform. "The country requires an ambitious educational project which it probably can't afford," he argues. "But certain educational targets must be met or El Salvador will miss out competitively as more and more new markets are opened to exports.
"If the government can define a long-term and convincing overhaul of our educational system, then we could see the necessary funding coming from the international finance organizations. That's the way to do it."
