The University of the Caribbean (UNICARIBE), through its Research Center CAYEI, was part of the book Critical thinking and sustainable future: a look at LATAM and the Caribbean, with the chapter entitled Evolution and recent trends in the impact of MOOCs at the University of the Caribbean (UNICARIBE). This participation reflects the institution’s effort to continue its commitment to education that is more accessible, innovative and aligned with the challenges of the present.

The chapter analyzes how Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are transforming the university experience, taking as a reference the alliance between UNICARIBE and the Coursera platform, established in 2022. Thanks to this collaboration, digital content has been integrated into a wide variety of subjects, positively impacting students from 27 different careers.

The results speak for themselves: since 2022, student participation in MOOCs grew by 52% in the first semester of 2024 alone. It is also noteworthy that female participation is 15% above the regional average, a clear indicator of the potential of these tools to close gaps and generate more equitable opportunities.

Beyond the figures, this work sets out a clear vision: MOOCs are an effective way to keep knowledge up to date and within reach of more people. The text also invites to continue expanding their use in strategic areas such as artificial intelligence, programming, cybersecurity and project management, with the aim of preparing students with the competencies that the real world demands today.

Author:
M. Julián Peña – Director of CAYEI Research Center / LIC. In Environmental Management and Renewable Energies.