In 2018, the School of Business and Social Sciences at Universidad ORT Uruguay the curricula for the Bachelor’s Degree in Management and Administration, the Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, and the Bachelor’s Degree in Public Accounting. The school also launched the Specialization Diploma in Business Analytics and the Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Business Analytics.
These were some of the highlights of the year that the dean of the faculty, Dr. Gaston J. Labadie, highlighted during the Teaching Excellence Awards Ceremony, which took place on December 14, 2018, at the Pocitos Campus.
Labadie also noted that the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program achieved its highest-ever ranking in *América Economía* magazine’s rankings. In addition, the school hosted more than 25 conferences and held its first two graduation ceremonies at the Sodre National Auditorium.
During the ceremony, awards were presented for Excellence in Teaching in Graduate and Executive Programs, as well as in Undergraduate and Short-Term Programs; the Award for Teaching Performance; the Award for Lifetime Achievement and Contribution to the Faculty; and the Award for Outstanding Professorship.
Stimulate students' curiosity
The Award for Excellence in Teaching in Graduate and Executive Programs was presented to Yamandú Bermúdez, who teaches seminars on negotiation, decision-making, teamwork, high-performance team management, leadership, skills for middle managers, communication, and organization.
Bermúdez said that when he first started teaching, he was “really bad,” but that he improved once he realized that “the important thing is to foster students’ curiosity.” He also recalled a conversation from years ago in which the dean told him, “We have to help people learn how to learn—that is, to cultivate the curiosity to keep moving forward.”
The Pursuit of Happiness
Professor Cecilia Jorge explained that she left the corporate world to pursue an academic career, a decision she reaffirms every day: “We’re all searching for happiness, and during those two hours in class, I’m happy.”
He emphasized that “ORT students are wonderful; they ask something really nice of you: that you be creative.” He said that the experience of starting to work at the university was very rewarding: “Every day I have to think about how I’m going to challenge the students through my teaching.”
Continuing education
In her quest to become a better teacher, Guillermina Frick completed the six courses offered by the Center for Continuing Education in Higher Education (CAES).
The tourism marketing professor thanked the university and especially the CAES: “Whenever I can, I sign up for another course because that’s what I feel I need and have to do to push myself a little further.”
The Joy of Teaching
The Teaching Excellence Award was presented to Federico Lambach, who began his teaching career at ORT a year and a half ago.
“One of the things I’ve always valued, especially since graduating, has been the opportunity to train other professionals, and the fact that ORT has given me the chance to join as a faculty member brings me great fulfillment and I truly enjoy it,” said Lambach.
A wide range of research publications
“This year, a faculty member has published three JCR articles in the first quartile, which means he has published in the world’s top journals,” Labadie said.
“The recipient of the Academic Research Award has made outstanding contributions to the institution. He is a member of ORT’s Center for Australian Studies, a professor of statistics and econometrics at the university, and is currently attending COP24 in Poland,” Labadie said, referring to Francisco Rosas.
Speaking at COP24, Rosas thanked the university and the faculty and described 2018 as “a busy year in terms of publishing articles.”
Loyalty to the university
Ambassador Agustín Espinosa—a professor of International Relations and Integration—expressed his gratitude for the award and noted that “the university is incredibly loyal to its faculty, and that compels us to be loyal to the university.”
Make a difference in people's lives
The Marketing Department received the Outstanding Department Award. Dr. Teresa Cometto stated: “The department is made up of a large group of faculty members who, day in and day out, contribute to our programs, our classes, and our relationships with students. The most important thing for all of us is our commitment to making a difference in the lives of the people who are the future of our country.”
Full ceremony:
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