Like several other communities, the municipality of Les Côteaux welcomed with satisfaction, on September 28, 2026, the opening of a Technical Higher Education Center (CEST)—the seventh in the country, which falls under the academic and administrative jurisdiction of the Public University of the South in Les Cayes (UPSAC).

The ceremony brought together the highest political authority of the South Department, the rectors of several Departmental Public Universities, municipal officials from Les Côteaux, and a host of local civil society figures. It was presided over by Professor Jean-Robert Dossaint, head of the delegation from the Ministry of National Education (MENFP) and strategic advisor to Minister Vijonet Déméro, who stated:

"[...] A technical higher education institution should not be conceived solely in terms of its physical address. It must be conceived in terms of its territorial mission. The Les Côteaux CEST must therefore look beyond its own walls [...] It must look toward other coastal municipalities. It must look toward the communal sections, agricultural operations, fishing activities, small businesses, enterprises, associations, and all the initiatives that sustain this region [...] training must originate in the territory, address its needs, and return to the territory in the form of skills and solutions.'

Dr. Magdala Jean-Baptiste, Vice-President of the Council of Rectors of Departmental Public Universities (UPD) and Rector of the Public University of the Southeast in Jacmel (UPSEJ), noted that the Center’s mission is to train young people while taking into account the economic reality and the diverse potential of Les Côteaux and neighboring municipalities. For his part, Professor Edouard Jules, Rector of UPSAC, gave a brief account of the institutional evolution of the UPDs. He highlighted the role of these universities as regional hubs of expertise: "[...] a university established in a region does not merely train students; it helps create an intellectual, scientific, and professional environment capable of transforming that region."

"[...] Higher education holds a special promise. It unites the acquisition of knowledge with its practical application; it links reflection with action, and the mastery of knowledge with the ability to receive, organize, execute, and solve the problems facing societies," emphasized Etienne Louisseul France, Departmental Director of Education for the West.

See also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-48543-opening-of-the-technical-higher-education-centers-cest-of-thiotte-and-dame-marie.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-48236-haiti-petit-goave-launch-of-the-higher-technical-education-center.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-48157-back-to-school-6-new-high-schools-and-9-technical-higher-education-centers.html

IH/ iciHaiti