STEAM, society and university outreach in Colombia: A preliminary proposal from Buen Vivir

Abstract

This paper presents a descriptive analysis of three university outreach projects in the STEAM area, in light of the objectives of Buen Vivir. It discusses about the role of the university in society, both from the hegemonic vision and some alternative proposals in the Global South. In addition, the different dimensions of the STEAM are shown and how they can be articulated to the idea of Buen Vivir. Various models of university extension are described, focusing on solidarity outreach from Universidad Nacional de Colombia, that is the way by which the projects studied were carried out with rural and urban communities. Although these were not carried out based on Sumak Kawsay, as they were thought, designed and executed from a transformative critical position, the analysis is possible and compatible. It is concluded that it is possible and viable to manage and execute STEAM processes of outreach within an academy against the logic of the prevailing market, generating concrete and diverse alternatives to development.