Pandemic and universities: difficulties and responses in the Greater Buenos Aires

Abstract

The article analyzes the consequences of the implementation of policies, in universities in the Greater Buenos Aires, created to alleviate the Covid-19 pandemic effects and the iniquities of one of the sectors with the highest poverty rate in Argentina. The study is based on the hypothesis that these universities have a very important performance in leveling the social inequalities in the area where they are located.The mentioned performance was deepened during the pandemic, through their pedagogical adaptations and interaction with the community. University authorities of the universities studied were interviewed. In addition, government documents and national and international organizations related to the subject were analyzed. Likewise, the latest bibliography on the phenomenon of the pandemic and its relationship with higher education were considered for the analysis. As a result new pedagogical practices and administrative reorganization based on virtuality were discovered. In addition, new activities of the universities were revealed, such as the reconversion of these study houses into creators of social goods through the Offices of Welfare producers of scientific and technological developments based on today 's epidemiological needs. However, the danger of not achieving the necessary connectivity for a hybrid educational future is perceived.