7. University transformation from culture of power

Abstract

The essay paper is intended to present thoughts about the university transformation in the Venezuelan context from the look of the culture of the social actors’ power and from those who take decisions with this purpose. It is started from the view of university transformation as a binding process among the different actors in the multiple university and community environments with the purpose of conjugating the administrative and academic jobs in the achievement of the leading functions with the higher levels of efficiency, quality and social relevance. As a conclusion it is stated that to accomplish university transformation it is needed to start by accepting that the university is a community of people and knowledge in a permanent search for the truth and the achievement of ideological plurality , in a unity of actions and goals guiding the interests of the institution towards its academic character. Nevertheless, that community cannot be isolated in a cloister and it has the obligation of promoting an atmosphere of permanent interaction between the university and its environment with the purpose of reinforcing the cultural extension programs, technical assistance to the communities and the development of attention and social service policies.