Costa Rica

Given the fact that Costa Rica devotes its greatest efforts to education and health, it comes as no surprise to know that the people may freely use any of the numerous libraries existing all over the country. The largest of all is the National Library, standing opposite the National Park in the capital. Its collection of books and documents, as well as microfilms, is one of the most complete of its kind. All educational institutions have their own library, ranging from the large University libraries to the small rural public libraries, as well as those possessed by secondary education schools. The Municipalities (cantonal governments) have their own public libraries, both in the capitals and in the other villages of the cantons. Mention should be made of the fact that over the past few years various national publishing houses have been created, the main one being the Costa Rica Publishing House, depending from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. This particular publishing house has published a great many books by good many authors and has thus made an extremely rich contribution to our libraries. It has also encouraged the tico the strive ever harder to improve his own cultural knowledge within the framework of healthy national pride.

The Central American Institute for Business Administration is also located in Costa Rica. This is a non-profit-making private multi-national higher education institution which is devoted to teaching, research and consultancy in the field of business administration in Latin America. It is known by its initials of INCAE (Instituto Centroamericano de Administración de Empresas).

It was founded in 1964 on the initiative of the Central American business community with the technical help of the University of Harvard Business School and financial support from the Agency for International Development.

The Institute started up its educational activities in 1964 with a senior management program in Antigua, Guatemala, which was followed by other programs in various cities in Central America. Each year the INCAE begins its Master Degree Program in Business Administration with the participation of professionals from various academic disciplines coming from more than 13 Latin American countries.

Higher education in Costa Rica has seen dramatic development. Although this kind of education has always figured high on the list of the country’s priorities, it was not until 70 years ago that this field really begun to flourish. The most important landmark in the recent history of education in Costa Rica was the reopening of the University of Costa Rica. Then came the founding of the National University and later, the creation of the Costa Rica Technological Institute followed by the Central American Autonomous University and the UNED. The existence of all these institutions as well as private universities and schools for vocational training, agreements concluded with the universities of other countries (particularly with the United States) has meant that national potential has been developed to the full. In fact, Costa Rica is self-sufficient as regards the liberal professions, and graduates grouped together in their professional colleges have become fully integrated into the country’s development. It is worth pointing out that students come from numerous countries all over the world to train in our higher education institutions, especially medical and paramedical areas, in different branches of engineering and business administration as well as agricultural sciences.