This edition was held to mark the 30th anniversary of the founding of the School of Communication and Design at Universidad ORT Uruguay in Universidad ORT Uruguay.
Awards were presented to outstanding teachers, recognizing both their professional growth and their most recent academic achievements. Awards were also given to staff members who have served at the institution for 20 years
Oscar Aguirre, dean of the School of Design, opened the ceremony by highlighting the impact the former School of Communication and Design has had over the years:
It has been a place where passions have turned into careers; where individuals have become agents of change, capable of adding value to society and placing design or communication at the heart of the strategies of companies, institutions, and projects.
For his part, Dr. Esteban Zunino, dean of the School of Communication, reviewed the school’s achievements in 2024 and its ongoing progress.
When selecting the winners in each category, student evaluations conducted through the first semester of this year were taken into account.
Faculty of Design's Rising Star 2024
The 2024 Rising Star Award was presented byDaniel Domínguez, academic secretary and industrial designer,to Claudia Havranek, M.A., a professor of Editorial Design, in recognition of her dedication and attention to her students and their work:
I'm thrilled about the award, and I want to see how far I can go—what else I can offer them so they can keep improving, and so we can have more professionals in the world of design.
2024 Teaching Excellence Award from the School of Design
The Academic Secretary presented the 2024 Teaching Excellence Award toMicaela Domínguez Prost, M.A., who teachescourses such as Cinematic Narrative and Screenwriting, among others, in recognition of her extensive theoretical and cultural knowledge, as well as her ability to convey passion in her classes through relevant topics and examples that motivate and captivate all students.
The teacher accepted the award via Zoom from abroad and said that it was a tribute to her students, who are grateful to her for helping them discover their true calling through her classes.
Being a teacher is a huge responsibility because it makes me realize that a single sentence said at just the right moment can make a difference and shape a student’s life.
School of Communication’s 2024 Award for Educational Innovation
Virginia Silva, MSc— academic coordinator of the bachelor’s degree programs in Global Communication and Business Communication, and professor of Corporate Communication and Public Relations—presented the School of Communication’s awards.
Academic coordinator of the bachelor's degree programs in Global Communication and Business Communication, and professor
The Award for Educational Innovation was presented to Hecsil Coello, M.A., who teaches Oral and Written Expression as well as Rhetoric and Persuasion, for her ongoing pursuit of innovative educational approaches and methodologies designed to inspire and engage students in the study of written and spoken language.
The teacher expressed her gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the importance of innovation in teaching:
I deeply value working on something that reflects my beliefs: innovation. This environment fosters creative freedom within the programs, inspiring students to innovate. Being able to instill in them the confidence to do so, even when they feel afraid, is something I consider essential.
School of Communication's 2024 Teacher of the Year
Dr. Héctor Bajac, academic secretary of the School of Communication, presented the 2024 Rising Star Award to Sergio Dorrego, who teaches the course " Mathematics and Statistics for Analysis."
Among the reasons cited for the recognition are his dynamic teaching style, as well as his ability to explain difficult concepts and help students understand the material in his classes.
In his acceptance speech, the graduate emphasized the importance of education:
I try to improve myself every day. I believe this means we have a responsibility to keep learning and growing. Teaching should be a joy for everyone, and it certainly is for me.
“I’d also like to thank the students who have graduated and those I currently teach; they are a major source of motivation for me to keep going. We simply support them in pursuing their dreams and help spark their curiosity.”
School of Communication 2024 Award for Teaching Excellence
Finally, the academic secretary presented the award in this category to Victoria Bardanca, M.A., who teaches the courses *Fundamentals of Public Relations* and *Planning andManagement of Public Relations*.
Throughout his teaching career, Bajac has been recognized for the clarity of his materials and academic approaches, his personalized feedback to each student, and his warm teaching style.
The teacher was unable to attend due to her maternity leave, but in a letter read by Silva, she explained the symbolic significance the award holds for her:
In a world where women’s roles continue to evolve, this recognition is creating an opportunity to shine and demonstrate that we can lead, that we can have children and still successfully pursue our careers.
2024 Award for Educational Innovation from the School of Graduate and Continuing Education
Sabrina Bianchi, academic secretary of the School of Graduate and Continuing Education, presented the 2024 Award for Educational Innovation to Fabián Barros, instructor of the course “Technology Applied to Creativity.”
Bianchi highlighted the teacher's dedication to the classroom, his ability to teach up-to-date material, and his capacity to inspire his students.
Fabián thanked everyone present for the recognition:
Thanks to Eduardo (Hipogrosso), Oscar (Aguirre), and Alejandro (Erramún) for inviting me to join this high-speed train that keeps growing and adding new stops.
2024 Award for Teaching Excellence from the School of Graduate and Continuing Education
The 2024 Award for Teaching Excellence was presented to Joanna Peluffo, M.A., instructor of the course “Innovation for the Creative Economy,” who was recognized for her passion, commitment, and extensive knowledge of the subject matter.
There's one thing I really love, and that's the opportunity to teach courses that can be improved.
Medal ceremony for those who have worked for 20 years
These awards were presented by Eduardo Hipogrosso.
Alejandro Erramún, MFA
Recognized for his excellence as academic coordinator of the Bachelor’s Degree in Animation and Video Games. His personal and professional background has been instrumental in the development of the program, enriched by his experience at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts, United States). These 20 years reflect his impact and vision for the future.
María José Lois, Master's Degree in Integrated Marketing Communications
She is recognized for her key role in integrating advertising into communication programs where the field is not a central focus. Her quick integration into the faculty was also noted. Her professional career has been distinguished in both advertising and other areas of communication.
TDS Guillermo Marchese
He began his career at the college as a student. He later served as assistant coordinator of the Sound Department and academic coordinator for the Music Production and Sound Design Technician programs. His passion and dedication to music have been instrumental in the department’s development over the past 20 years.
Ramiro Ozer Ami, Esq.
Over the course of his 20 years at the university, he has demonstrated his professional growth and development in various roles.
Magdalena Vilaró, Esq.
She has been recognized for her versatility and wide-ranging talents. Throughout her career, she has played a key role in developing the Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design, which today enjoys significant influence and visibility.
DI TyM Mariana Muzi
She is recognized as a pioneer in the creation of the Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design, which many consider one of the most challenging programs. The fashion shows she organizes highlight the excellence she has built with her faculty team.
Monica Mato
She is recognized for her work as secretary to Eduardo Hipogrosso and for being a key figure in the professional lives of those around her. Her constant presence, both during critical moments and in day-to-day work, has made her a reliable and dedicated colleague.
Presentation of an award to Eduardo Hipogrosso
At the conclusion of the awards ceremony, Eduardo Hipogrosso was honored for his outstanding work as the founder and dean of the School of Communication and Design over the past 30 years.
The engineer, who currently serves as Vice President for Institutional Management and Development at Universidad ORT Uruguay in Universidad ORT Uruguay, emphasized the importance of building strong teams and supporting employees to achieve their goals.
At the same time, he highlighted the transformative role of teachers, who not only impart knowledge but also help shape individuals with values and dreams.
The award was crafted in the Industrial Design laboratories and symbolizes the faculty’s growth, achieved through its leadership and the support provided to every member of the institution—like interlocking pieces that come together to form a larger whole, centered on each student.
The piece was created by Lucía Méndez, a student in the Industrial Design program.