Strategy for the Integration of the Intercultural Axis in Higher Education Institutions. Case Study State University of Bolívar - Ecuador

Abstract

Sumak Kawsay, or "good living", represents a way of life rooted in indigenous peoples, which ranges from everyday aspects to ritual practices. In Ecuador, interculturality in higher education is crucial to address inequality in access to education, especially among indigenous peoples. This implies ethical action that guarantees their rights and intercultural training to manage and operate in this context. Interculturality in higher education promotes diversity, respect and tolerance, develops intercultural skills and prepares for global citizenship. Furthermore, it enriches learning by exposing students to diverse perspectives and contributes to sustainable development by integrating traditional and scientific knowledge. The transmission of knowledge from an intercultural perspective implies recognizing, valuing and using cultural diversity as a resource in the educational process. Keywords: ancestral knowledge, Andean worldview, interculturality. The methodology, based on the postpositivist paradigm, uses a qualitative and participatory approach to study indigenous communities. It includes preparatory, field work and analysis phases. Various tools such as brainstorming and interviews were used to promote citizen inclusion. In the research, fourteen knowledge bearers from the Surupukyo, Gradas, Arenal, Grupo Cacuango, San Antonio, Chinipamba, Erapamba and Llama Corral communities were taken as class informants. To analyze and interpret the information, theorizing, structuring, triangulation and categorization were implemented. Being the objective of the research to identify the ancestral knowledge in the native peoples from the Andean worldview as a contribution to the development of interculturality in the HEIs, a strategy is presented that allows its contribution to sustainable development, allowing the development of intercultural competencies based on principles of inclusion. and participation that encourages the active participation of all interested parties, promoting mutual understanding and respect that allows working in intercultural environments.