In December 2021, the Economics programme at Universidad ORT Uruguay received ARCU SUR accreditation, the Regional Accreditation System for University Programmes. It is the first Economics programme in the country to achieve this distinction.
ARCU SUR accreditation is an international seal of quality for university degree programs.
It is the only regional accreditation system in this field. This accreditation system is the result of an agreement between the ministries of education of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, and Chile, approved by the MERCOSUR Council through Decision CMS No. 17/08. Currently, ARCU SUR also includes Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
The accreditation certifies the quality of ORT’s Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. This entails compliance with the curriculum, the duration of the program, graduate profiles, employment outcomes, and professional skills training, among other relevant aspects.
Accreditation evaluates the characteristics of the curriculum, compares it to quality criteria established by regional experts, and verifies that these criteria are effectively met in practice. In other words, it certifies that the program’s design is aligned with international standards and is successfully implemented.
Dr. Néstor Gandelman, academic coordinator of the Bachelor's Degree in Economics.
Among other factors, the accreditation process assesses whether graduates and students are satisfied with the program, their instructors, and the knowledge they have acquired, as well as whether they are able to continue their education through graduate programs and secure employment in fields related to their degree. Accreditation encompasses all stakeholders involved in university life. In addition to the perspectives of students, graduates, and faculty, it takes into account the views of employers.
International quality standards
The accreditation processes for Economics programs began in 2018, with experts from various universities and countries in the region establishing international quality criteria covering the following four dimensions:
- The institutional context: the program’s institutional integration, organization and management, assessment systems, student well-being, and self-assessment mechanisms.
- Academic program: objectives, graduate profile, curriculum, teaching and learning process, research and innovation, outreach, and community engagement.
- University community: students, alumni, faculty, and staff.
- Infrastructure: physical facilities and logistics, library, computer labs.
The next step was a rigorous self-assessment in which students, faculty, alumni, and employers systematically evaluated the strengths and challenges of the Bachelor’s Degree in Economics.
“The accreditation process is another—and particularly significant—step toward continuous improvement. At ORT, we view it as a tremendous opportunity for reflection and for subsequently putting the lessons learned from this evaluation into practice, in pursuit of excellence in the program across all relevant dimensions,” said the professor.
“During this period, among other things, the department increased the number of faculty researchers, appointed new full professors in core areas, expanded the number of research assistants, successfully launched the Data Science Specialization program, and is just weeks away from moving its offices to the Department of Economics’ own building.”
The results of this self-assessment were examined in detail by a Peer Review Committee, which on this occasion was composed of distinguished academics from Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, specially appointed by the ad hoc commission operating under the auspices of Uruguay’s Ministry of Education and Culture.
During its visit to ORT, the Committee met with employers, the graduate affairs office, department heads, university officials, and representatives from the extension centers, as well as graduates, students, faculty members, and researchers.
Based on the results of the self-evaluation and the reports submitted by the Peer Review Committee, it was decided to accredit ORT’s Bachelor’s Degree in Economics.
“We would like to thank the entire academic community for the care and perseverance with which this journey toward accreditation was undertaken,” said Gandelman.
We are proud and delighted to share the news of the successful outcome of this process, which marks a historic milestone for us: becoming the first Bachelor’s degree program in Economics accredited by ARCU SUR.
Holding this accreditation is not only a source of pride but also an excellent opportunity that ensures the program’s excellence in all relevant areas and sets it apart on the international stage.