Proposal for an extension program of artistic cultural edu cation for the comprehensive training of university students

Abstract

Nicaragua's public universities (UNI, UNA, UNP, and UNAN-Managua), affiliated with CNU, have promoted cultural and artistic education as a fundamental pillar for students' comprehensive development. In the current context, this remains a priority under the National Education Strategy across all modalities, "Blessings and Victories" 2024-2026. This study emerges from the need to design an outreach program integrating teaching, research, and community engagement to embed cultural and artistic education into university curricula. The research was conducted across four public universities in Managua using a mixed-methods descriptive approach. Qualitative techniques (interviews, focus groups, document analysis) and quantitative methods (faculty and student surveys) were applied, employing both probabilistic and non-probabilistic sampling. Results underscore the significance of cultural and artistic education in fostering socioemotional and cognitive skills. Stakeholders administrators, faculty, and students recognize its value in humanistic education, cultural identity, and critical thinking. However, challenges include academic recognition gaps, inadequate physical-environmental conditions, and faculty training needs. To address these, the study proposes a program with thematic pillars: diagnosis, planning, training, policy frameworks, and inter-university projects. The research concludes that integrating cultural and artistic education into curricula as electives, optional components, or tailored to institutional needs will enhance holistic, transformative education.