Interculturality, scholarships, and access to higher university education in the Andean region

Gutiérrez-Gómez E.; González-Ríos R.C.; Arones-Cisneros Á.A.; Aguilar-Ozejo A. · Revista de Ciencias Sociales (2025)

Resumen

This study aims to identify the limitations associated with the benefits of university scholarships offered by the Peruvian government to young people in Ayacucho, an Andean region where indigenous languages such as Quechua and Asháninca are spoken. Based on qualitative research with an ethnographic approach, employing hermeneutic methodology and discourse analysis in the province of Huanta, Ayacucho, Peru. Participant observations and in-depth, unstructured interviews were conducted with 112 key stakeholders linked to scholarships granted by the Peruvian government, including the authorities in charge of overseeing funding compliance, as well as parents. The study identifies the barriers these young people face in accessing higher education. Among the main findings are economic hardship and language barriers, which hinder their integration and intercultural adaptation processes. It is concluded that these scholarships play a key role in facilitating access to university, promoting the social and cultural advancement of students living in poverty, and enhancing their academic talent. This type of support is especially critical in areas historically affected by violence and drug trafficking, as it contributes to the comprehensive and sustainable development of the region.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Huanta