Higher education and the social impact of the postgraduate studies in a Mexican university

The third phase of the Research Project about Professional Ethics that is being developed in the National Autonomous University of Mexico consisted in the design and application of an open interview guide for the forty program coordinators of the postgraduate studies (Master and PHD). Two of the eight questions are directly related to the social impact of this level of studies: the social functions of scientific research and the challenges that the Mexican society presents to the university in its role of preparing professionals from all the knowledge areas. The empirical categories constructed from the multiple responses, obtained in relation to the question about the social impact of research are: Create new knowledge, Form human resources of the highest level, Finding useful solutions for society, Spread knowledge – contribute in the interrelation between university and society and interact with other disciplines; Contribute to a scientific culture in the country and the Preservation of culture. In relation to the question about the challenges of society, the program coordinators expressed specific problems and some possible solutions. The problems were: Limited preparation in the previous learning levels in terms of knowledge and study habits, Problems for the university graduates in terms of finding and maintaining good jobs, Lack of recognition in the Mexican society about the necessity of experts and the fact that the postgraduate studies are already attending several problems that constitute real challenges. The proposals were: To promote a bigger interaction between the diverse knowledge fields, Promote flexibility and a better adaptation to change in relation to the students, Locate development areas, Obtain results that benefit science and society, Maintain a high level, Respond to the social necessities and Achieve effectively a better articulation between university and society.