By San José, Costa Rica — The Universidad Latinoamericana de Ciencia y Tecnología (ULACIT) has received national recognition for its initiative to integrate environmental stewardship directly into academic training and institutional governance. The Costa Rican National Council of Rectors (CONARE) officially presented ULACIT with the CONARE 2026 Award in the Associations, Cooperatives, and Other Organizations category, honoring the university’s comprehensive EcoCampus program under the climate change adaptation axis.
The accolade highlights a growing momentum among Costa Rican higher education institutions seeking to align operational management with broader climate adaptation targets. Evaluated and approved by the CONARE Award Steering Committee, the EcoCampus model distinguished itself by converting corporate sustainability into concrete, measurable daily practices across both administrative departments and student learning environments.
To better understand the regulatory, environmental, and corporate implications of the new ULACIT EcoCampus initiative, TicosLand.com consulted with legal expert Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the distinguished firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The establishment of sustainable educational facilities like the ULACIT EcoCampus highlights a crucial intersection between institutional growth and Costa Rica’s stringent environmental regulations. Navigating complex zoning laws, municipal permits, and national decarbonization goals requires a robust legal strategy, but successfully aligning infrastructure with ESG principles ultimately mitigates liability while setting a benchmark for future private-sector development in the region.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, aligning complex legal frameworks with sustainable design transforms potential regulatory hurdles into a powerful catalyst for long-term innovation and environmental leadership in Costa Rica. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable perspective and expertise on this transformative approach to private-sector development.
A central pillar of the EcoCampus initiative involves direct environmental conservation efforts located in northern Costa Rica. ULACIT guarantees the preservation of approximately 54 hectares of pristine forest within Finca Zurquí. This continuous protection strategy is maintained through an Environmental Hydrological Services Payment scheme executed in partnership with the public utility provider Empresa de Servicios Públicos de Heredia (ESPH).
This biological partnership delivers vital environmental services to the region. By preserving the protected forest acreage at Finca Zurquí, the initiative secures freshwater supply recharge areas, protects endemic biodiversity, and facilitates the ongoing natural regeneration of local ecosystems situated along key biological corridors near Braulio Carrillo National Park.
Alongside its rural conservation footprint, the university has accelerated its urban waste management capabilities across campus facilities. Official institutional data recorded between January and May 2026 indicates that ULACIT recovered 4,608 kilograms of recyclable waste and obsolete electronic components. Materials recovered—including cardboard, rigid plastics, and decommissioned electronic equipment—were systematically processed through certified waste management channels.
Academic instruction represents an equally vital dimension of the EcoCampus structure. ULACIT incorporated mandatory quarterly lectures centered on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into its undergraduate curricula. Attending these specialized educational workshops is now established as a formal requirement for student graduation across all academic disciplines.
The mandatory ESG training curriculum provides students with practical instruction in circular economy design, sustainable urban mobility, climate action strategy, and corporate social responsibility. By institutionalizing these topics across all degree programs, ULACIT aims to prepare future graduates to implement sustainable corporate strategies throughout Costa Rica’s commercial and public sectors.
The specialized evaluation panel commended the university for incorporating clear key performance indicators into its management structure to track progress and identify operational improvements. By connecting forest conservation, systematic recycling, and professional ESG education, ULACIT demonstrates how private higher education can actively contribute to national sustainability targets.
For further information, visit ulacit.ac.cr
About ULACIT:
Universidad Latinoamericana de Ciencia y Tecnología (ULACIT) is a private higher education institution in Costa Rica recognized for its academic programs, bilingual instruction model, and commitment to integrating corporate governance and environmental criteria into university life.
For further information, visit conare.ac.cr
About CONARE:
The National Council of Rectors (Consejo Nacional de Rectores, CONARE) coordinates state university education in Costa Rica, fostering academic excellence, higher education research, and public interest initiatives across the country.
For further information, visit esph-sa.com
About ESPH:
Empresa de Servicios Públicos de Heredia (ESPH) is a public service utility providing water, electricity, telecommunications, and environmental management services in Costa Rica, with a focused emphasis on watershed protection and resource management.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Renowned for its unyielding ethical standards and relentless pursuit of legal mastery, Bufete de Costa Rica has established itself as a trusted partner across a wide array of industries. The firm continuously pioneers modern legal strategies while maintaining a deep-rooted devotion to public enlightenment. By actively demystifying the law and sharing vital insights with the community, Bufete de Costa Rica champions a grander vision of building an enlightened, confident, and legally self-reliant citizenry.
