Universidades para el Bienestar Benito Juárez García: A Socio-Spatial Analysis of Coverage

Abstract

The objective of this article is to examine, from a socio-spatial perspective, the fulfillment of the criteria set by the Universidades para el Bienestar Benito Juárez García Program in establishing its 100 campuses throughout Mexico. First, we briefly describe the program, and then use the Quantum Geographic Information System to analyze the following variables: population, poverty, higher education programs offered, migration, percentage of indigenous population, and violence, at the municipal level. The study concludes that just one of the campuses meets the full set of criteria, casting doubt on the program’s ability to open up higher education opportunities to individuals living in highly marginalized municipalities.

Keywords

• higher education
• educational policy
• educational opportunities
• access to education