UC Careers perform self-assessment of inclusion standards in their academic management

The initiative led by the Directorate of Inclusion of the Catholic University, allowed the 11 academic units that are part of the project to know the status of aspects such as management and student support, their curriculum and teaching, promotion of universal accessibility, among others.

In the framework of the project of the “Program of accompaniment for successful academic trajectories of students with gratuity in coherence with an inclusive and diverse institutional project” (PUC1801), an inclusive academic management model was developed at UC. This initiative is part of the Academic Leveling Scholarship (BNA) of the Ministry of Education and is promoted by the Directorate of Inclusion , with the support of various directorates of the Academic Vice-rector ( Directorate of Student Affairs , Center for Teaching Development and the Academic Directorate of Teaching ) and of the 11 careers that are part of the initiative.

The model consists of an interactive tutorial (“Guidelines for inclusive academic management”), which deepens and provides the necessary tools to understand it, and respond to an inclusive academic management guideline, which allows the self-evaluation of the Academic Units, and the possibility of generate projects and actions that aim to promote equity and value diversity.

This program was developed in order to promote academic management with a focus on inclusion. It also seeks for each career to know its inclusion situation in the different aspects of its units, as well as to provide orientations and guidelines to move towards greater equity and appreciation of diversity.

“The design of this model was a long process that involved reviewing and discussing the practices, concepts and objectives around equity and the valuation of diversity. Based on this, a way was proposed to support the Academic Units with guidelines to act in an increasingly inclusive way, which was the ultimate goal of this work, ”said Catalina García, director of Inclusión UC.

In the first instance, there will be 11 races that will be able to apply this guideline in their units. The participating careers are Biology, Marine Biology, Biochemistry, Speech Therapy, Kinesiology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Civil Construction, Agronomy, Forest Engineering, Chemistry, and Chemistry and Pharmacy.

Under the auspices of the BNA project, the inclusive academic management model is one of several actions that seek to provide academic, socio-affective and accompanying support for graduation to UC students.

Academic Leveling Scholarship
In October 2018, the UC Inclusion Directorate was awarded funds for the BNA project, “Program of accompaniment for successful academic trajectories of students with gratuity in coherence with an inclusive and diverse institutional project” (PUC1801).

Although the project focuses on those who study with the benefit of gratuity, the initiatives carried out in the project impact more students with needs for academic leveling and support in their curricular trajectory.

In addition to the inclusive academic management model, since the second semester of 2020 a series of initiatives have been carried out in relation to other lines that the project addresses, which includes the development of academic supports, a Program to Strengthen Socio-Affective Training (PFFS) , and a Labor Mentoring Program and networking spaces.

Currently, the period of application of the inclusive academic management guideline is ending in the collaborating careers. Likewise, the team in charge of the project is making progress in evaluating the design and implementation of the management model in which said instrument is framed.

“I think that one of the most valuable aspects of this guideline is that it offers a guide to look at one’s own action, constructively and voluntarily, and allows opening paths to advance in inclusion. Get to know the UC units that can help in the areas of their interest and thereby continue to build a better University with everyone, “said Catalina García.

On Thursday, January 21, the presentation of this model to the UC community will be held online, a resource that will be available from the Inclusion Department.