Distance Education in Higher Education in Latin America: Realities, opportunities, and challenges

This special issue explores the rapid expansion and evolving realities of distance education in higher education across Latin America and the Caribbean. Over the past two decades, enrollment has surged, driven by both public initiatives and private sector growth. The COVID-19 pandemic, meanwhile, accelerated digital adoption and exposed systemic inequities. The six featured articles highlight diverse national trajectories—Brazil’s large-scale but unevenly regulated expansion, Argentina’s robust graduate program oversight, Uruguay’s restrictive policies, and Paraguay’s post-pandemic reforms—demonstrating the varied regulatory and institutional contexts shaping the field. Contributions also showcase innovations in pedagogy and technology, including the integration of AI in teacher training and emergency digital strategies. Recurring themes include tensions between access and quality, persistent digital divides, and the urgent need for inclusive, long-term policies. Collectively, this issue highlights the importance of coherent regulation, faculty development, infrastructure investment, and equity-driven innovation in building resilient, learner-centered distance education systems in the region.