The event included recognition of the academic achievements of faculty members nearing retirement, a tribute to staff members with 20 or more years of service at the institution, and the presentation of teaching awards in various categories, based on student evaluations.
The event was attended by the Vice Rector for Institutional Management and Development, Eduardo Hipogrosso, and included staff and faculty members from the School of Design.
The ceremony was presided over by Oscar Aguirre, Dean of the School of Design, along with Industrial Designer Daniel Domínguez, Academic Secretary of the same institution.
Remarks by Oscar Aguirre, Esq.
In his speech, the dean reviewed the faculty’s consolidation process one and a half years after its creation as an independent unit, drawing on its historical trajectory and referring to the challenges of fully assuming its institutional role:
We are a mature academic institution with 30 years of steady progress behind us, but we are now moving forward with a fresh start.
Aguirre highlighted the work carried out in 2024 toraise awareness of the faculty’s identity, particularly in the digital sphere, as well as the academic team’s commitment.
He also highlighted the consistent recognition of the faculty by students, noting thatevaluationsare a key tool for continuous improvement.
Among the year's main achievements, he highlighted the international reach of the International Animation Festival (FIA) and emphasized the teaching staff's ability to educate:
“The Oscarfor Best Animated Short Film came through here,” he said, referring to the animated short film In the Shadow of the Cypress, which won an award at the 97th Academy Awards and at the 2024 FIA in the categories of Grand Jury Prize and Best Animated Short Film.
Looking ahead, the dean noted that 2026 will be a year of reflection and transformation, marked bytechnological changesand therise of artificial intelligence.
In this context, he reaffirmed the importance of in-person learning and the teacher-student relationship, and announced the development ofthe newCreative Hub, a space spanning more than 3,000 square meters designed to enhance the learning experience.
- You might be interested in:Hub Creativo: a new space for innovation
The Legacy of a Calling
The ceremony began with a tribute to the academic careers of professorsCecilia Ortiz de TarancoandGabriel Pasarisa, who, after more than 25 years working at the School of Design, are retiring from their professional duties.
In discussing Cecilia’s career, Oscar Aguirre highlighted her 30 years of service at the school and her decision to retire fully, noting that her career reflects the early days and the consolidation of a school with an international reputation.
He highlighted the role of design as one of the university’s most distinctive areas and noted that Cecilia embodied that process not only through her role as a professor —and, previously, as an associate professor of Art and Aesthetics—but also through the human and professional values she instilled in the classroom.
As he explained, through their work, the students not only gained knowledge but also received a well-rounded professional education, which is part of their academic legacy.
In her farewell message, Cecilia spoke of how moved she was to bring to a close a chapter marked by the discovery of a calling that, over time, became both her profession and her passion.
She expressed her pride in having been part of the School of Design’s history and in the legacy built over the years, as well as her deep gratitude for the journey she has taken, the shared values, and the colleagues who have accompanied her.
I am very proud to be part of this design school's history and of everything it represents in terms of career choices.
He also highlighted the demanding nature and richness of teaching, and was particularly pleased that many of his former students had chosen to become teachers themselves and had become his colleagues.
The second award was presented to ProfessorCarlos Devincenzi, who previously served as academic coordinator of the Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design. He accepted the plaque on behalf of Gabriel, who was absent due to a previously scheduled trip.
The award was presented in recognition of "an exemplary 28-year academic career, marked by teaching excellence and a sustained contribution to the training of generations of graphic designers, combining technique and design," as stated on the plaque dedicated to Gabriel and read aloud at the ceremony.
Recognition of 20 Years of Dedication to Teaching
During the ceremony, attention was drawn to the expansion of what was then the School of Design beginning in 2004, when the traditional Graphic Design program was expanded with the addition of bachelor’s degree programs in Industrial Design and Fashion Design.
That growth, supported by an experienced faculty and the addition of key founding members, made it possible to gradually build the foundation of what is now the School of Design, which has expanded to include new degree programs and academic initiatives.
In this context, the faculty recognized the contributions of teachers with 20 years of service, honoring not only their academic and professional contributions but also their generosity, commitment to in-person teaching, support for students, and the transmission of human values, practical experience, and a passion for design—elements that continue to define the faculty’s identity.
Among the faculty members honored for their 20 years of service, Pablo D'Angelo stood out for his contributions to education in industrial design, expressive representation, and design methodology. His teaching was characterized by his generous support of students and his ability to impart the fundamental skills needed to communicate products and processes.
Maximiliano Izzi, an industrial designer, was also recognized for his academic career, which has focused on ergonomics, emotional design, and human factors in design. Throughout his career, he has promoted a holistic approach that takes into account both the functional and emotional aspects of the design process.
Fashion designer Laura Cossio was recognized for her contribution to the development of the Fashion Design program and for her ability to integrate classroom instruction with practical lab work. Her comprehensive approach, which spans from analysis to execution, was reinforced through her approachable, rigorous, and encouraging teaching style.
Gabriela Cambón was recognized for her extensive work in industrial patternmaking and for instilling in students the importance of planning, materials, and identity in fashion design. Her professional experience was reflected in a curriculum that emphasizes every stage of the production process.
Finally, Hugo Millán was recognized for his contributions to set design and the production of events and fashion shows, as well as for his high educational standards and his commitment to providing students with a well-rounded education. His approach emphasized the importance of the dialogue between theory, practice, and staging.
Taken together, their careers reflect the faculty’s commitment to academic excellence, teaching grounded in professional experience, and the central role of in-person instruction as a defining feature of the faculty.
Rising Star in Teaching and Teaching Excellence 2025
During the closing segment of the event, theRising Star Teacher Award was presented, based on student surveys that highlighted the award-winning teacher’s approachability, accessibility, and practical approach.
The award was presented to programmerVíctor Manuel Correa, who was particularly recognized for his ability to connect programming with real-world work situations and for his ongoing support of students.
Following that, the2025 Teaching Excellence Award was presented, which was also based on student evaluations showing a 100% satisfaction rate.
The award was presented toDiego Fernández, a professor in the Bachelor’s degree programs in Design, Art, and Technology and Multimedia Design, who was recognized for his dynamic classes, his approach grounded in professional experience, and his career as a director and audiovisual producer.
To conclude the event, acommemorative plaquewas unveiled for the first time, featuring all the faculty members recognized for Teaching Excellence from 1996 to the present, marking a milestone for the School of Design.
Finally, the event concluded with an invitation to join in a toast on the patio of the Downtown Campus.
Learn more about past editions of the Teaching Excellence Awards