Haiti celebrates 20 years of the public departmental university network

On 30 July 2026, the University Public du Nord in Cap‑Haïtien hosted a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of Haiti’s Réseau des Universités Publiques Départementales (UPD). Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils‑Aimé addressed the gathering of rectors, deans, faculty, students and state representatives, praising two decades of the network’s contribution to democratising higher education and providing equitable access to knowledge across the country’s departments.

The prime minister highlighted the role of public departmental universities as hubs of stability, resilience and innovation, essential for training the next generation of professionals needed for Haiti’s economic and social reconstruction. He acknowledged persistent challenges such as insufficient financing, infrastructure deficits and operational difficulties, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to dialogue with university leaders to find sustainable solutions. The Council of Rectors, chaired by Dr Joram Vixamar, was also commended for its leadership over the past twenty years.