La Paz, May 4 (teleSUR-RHC)-- Bolivian President Evo Morales encouraged faculty and students from the Cochabamba- based Indigenous University of Bolivia (UNIBOL) to embrace Bolivian national identity on Sunday. In efforts to achieve this, Morales emphasized the importance of “deep ideological reflection” with respect to national identity.

"I hope that all students graduate as qualified socially conscious professionals, possessing intellectual capacity but also a deep commitment to their country,” Morales said during an event at UNIBOL.

The Cochabamba-based university, which was founded in 2008 along with two other Indigenous schools, is part of Morales administration’s national education program, a cornerstone of the ruling government’s political agenda.

An education reform law passed in 2010; called Avelino Siñani-Elizardo Perez, after the names of two teachers who launched early education programs for indigenous communities, incorporated teachings about the particular cultural practices of local regions as well as vocational training programs. As part of the law, every child must learn an indigenous language and culture alongside Spanish and more traditional subjects.

During his speech on Sunday, Morales called on students to solidify their commitment to restoring traditional Bolivian identities as well as learning through practice. “The task for the student must be to become qualified professionals and this is achieved through investigating but also through practice and humility.”

The school offers various programs so that students can apply their knowledge for the development of their country, including courses in agronomy, food and textile industry studies, veterinary medicine and hydrocarbons.