Havana, February 12 (RHC)-- Brazilian scholar Frei Betto addressed the role of higher education centers in today's society, as he addressed participants at the 9th International Congress University 2014, underway in Havana with the attendance of nearly 3000 guests from 43 nations.

During his lecture on Tuesday, Betto said that most universities are currently estranged from social practice and alerted the participants to an increasing involvement of universities in neo-liberal policies, instead of assuming humanistic ideals, like those of Cuban National Hero Jose Marti.

The Brazilian writer and journalist referred to the commercialization of university knowledge and described as bourgeoisie and deceitful the precept that those who have access to higher education are more learned that others.

The director of the Latin American Distance Education Program on Social Sciences, Argentinean Atilio Boron stressed the significance of including the legacy of Simon Bolivar, Francisco de Miranda and other Latin American independence leaders in the curricula of the universities.

Boron said that the legacy of those who made a rich contribution to social sciences are now beginning to be studied. He added that other figures in the economic, philosophic and geographical fields should also be included in the university schedules.