Building Sovereignity or Dendency? Two Decades of Swedish Research Capacity Building (RCB) for Developmental Universities in Bolivia

Abstract

Despite its relevance for developmental universities operating in resource-constrained settings, the role of international collaboration in shaping their practices remains underexplored. This study examines how two Bolivian public universities – Universidad Mayor de San Andrés and Universidad Mayor de San Simón – position themselves within international research cooperation, specifically in the realm of research capacity building financed by Sweden’s Development Aid Cooperation Agency (Sida). It investigates how these universities navigate the dual imperatives of engaging in international scientific networks while conducting research that addresses local challenges. The study explores agenda-setting processes across the Sida-supported pillars: research governance, infrastructure support, PhD education, innovation programs, and collaboration with Swedish universities. Our findings highlight a gradual shift from dependency toward more interdependent sovereignty over more than two decades of cooperation.