International Cooperation and Mentoring: An Academic Obligation? Current Trends in the Internationalization of Higher Education

Unviersity and society in Latin America Even considering the great differences that can be found within the region, there are elements to support the idea of the existence of common traits in Latin American universities. One of their main common characteristics is linked to their historical background. Latin American universities have followed the Napoleonic model to a greater extent than the Humboldtian model of institutions. Its main function was to provide training in the liberal professions -doctors and lawyers- and not (as in France) to train high ranking civil servants. In countries such as Argentina, the university degree conferred a higher social status and contributed to upward social mobility. University-society relationships promoted by this kind of institution are mainly related to teaching and professional training. Law and Medicine schools become predominant and this has effects on the profile of the faculty within the whole institution, which are mostly employed part-time by the university. This has also hindered the development of graduate studies, which were not deemed necessary for professional development. (Arocena and Sutz 2001a).