UniCV to Launch Island-Specific Courses for Cape Verde
The University of Cape Verde (UniCV) is undergoing a strategic shift to ensure its academic programs directly support the specific economic and cultural needs of each island in the archipelago. Rector Astrigilda Silveira announced that the institution is developing a new range of training offerings designed to align with regional development goals and local industry demands.
Tailoring Education to Regional Needs
In an interview with Lusa marking the start of the academic year, Silveira emphasized that UniCV is moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, the university is collaborating with municipalities and local entities to identify and fill specific labor gaps.
Using Fogo Island as a primary example, Silveira detailed a recent collaboration with the Mayor of São Filipe and partners in Viseu, Portugal. “We have already identified the resources needed on the island,” she said. “We must have a territorial impact. In Fogo, for instance, we can develop higher professional technical courses, modular programs, or post-graduate studies focused on viticulture and fruit growing—sectors that currently lack specialized training.”
Beyond training, the university plans to leverage its expertise to support local industry directly. Silveira proposed a partnership with the São Filipe City Council to utilize the island’s wine laboratory. “We have specialists, so why should our producers have to send samples abroad for testing? The University of Cape Verde exists to fulfill this role,” she noted.
Expanding Across the Archipelago
The customization plan extends to other regions as well. In São Vicente and the Barlavento islands, the university has identified a strong demand for professionalization in the creative arts, including cinema, theater, and music. Partners have already been secured to launch new undergraduate and postgraduate offerings in these fields.
To reach every corner of the archipelago, UniCV is leaning heavily into its digital transformation plan. While face-to-face training remains a priority where possible, Silveira promised that the institution will use digital technologies to bring higher education to islands that currently lack a physical campus.
Redefining Success Beyond Rankings
This localized strategy is part of a broader institutional overhaul, including a revision of the university’s statutes scheduled for approval in late November. Silveira argues that a university’s value should be measured by its tangible contribution to the nation rather than international metrics alone.
“We would not like to evaluate UniCV just by a number in a ranking,” the Rector concluded. “We should be concerned with quality, student retention, employability levels, and the actual impact our graduates have on the country’s development.”
Image: Pexels – Yan Krukau
