Students as the focus of learning, the joys and challenges of teaching, and the link between teaching and research. These were some of the topics discussed at the Faculty of Administration and Social Sciences’ Teaching Excellence Awards Ceremony, which took place on Friday, December 13, 2019, at the Pocitos Campus.
Before presenting the awards, the dean of the faculty, Dr. Gaston J. Labadie, highlighted the launch of the sustainable development monitor in 2019, as well as the planned creation of new chairs in 2020 and the July 2020 launch of the EMBA—a blended-learning Executive MBA—the first blended-learning MBA in the country.
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.
“All the winners of the undergraduate and short-course competitions are graduates of the school. They weren’t selected based on that criterion, so it’s an added source of satisfaction,” Labadie said.
Thinking about the student
Andrés Riva, a professor in the Bachelor of Arts in International Studies program and a contributing member of the Committee on International Security and Defense at the Uruguayan Council for International Relations (CURI), received the Award for Teaching Excellence.
“Working here has been a tremendous learning experience. The core of a teacher’s role is to always put the student first, to build a close relationship with them, and to place their concerns, their challenges, and their learning at the center, ”the teacher said.
The Rewards of Education
Dr. Teresa Cometto—a professor of marketing at the school and Unilever’s manager of marketing, market research, and media—received the Award for Excellence in Teaching in Graduate and Executive Programs.
Cometto noted that the university “is a place that brings me great satisfaction every day, both in terms of working with my team and all the faculty members in the department, as well as with all the other faculty and professors.”
Dedication and empathy
Pablo Ferrer, M.A.—a tax professor, member of the Advisory Committee, and team leader in the Audit Division of the General Tax Directorate (DGI)—received the Award for Excellence in University Teaching.
Ferrer noted: “The role of teachers is very important; it is a pillar of society.” He also emphasized the importance of“giving your best, being dedicated, and putting yourself in the student’s shoes.”
Memories of college
The Award for Teaching Excellence in Short-Term Programs was presented to Antonella Groposo, CPA, a partner at the accounting firm G&S Consultores and an accounting professor.
The professor fondly recalled the moment she was asked to join the ORT faculty and the experiences she has had at the college, both as a student and in her current role. Finally, she noted that she greatly enjoys teaching and, in particular, the challenge of sparking an interest in accounting among students in short-term programs.
Becoming a Better Teacher
Research is an activity that allows one to channel curiosity, bridge the gap between theory and real-world outcomes, and “helps you become a better teacher” by sharing that knowledge with students. “At any level, research always contributes a great deal,” said Dr. Nicolás Gambetta—academic coordinator of the graduate programs in Accounting and Taxation—who received the Academic Research Award.
Operations and Logistics: a discipline that is not commonly found in business administration
The Outstanding Department Award went to the Department of Operations and Logistics. Labadie described it as “a department that played a key role in the founding of the school and that today offers an outstanding education in its academic programs.”
Professor Oscar Giordano said, “It is both a surprise and a thrill for me to receive this award. It is deeply satisfying, after so many years of working to establish a discipline that is not commonly found in public administration.”
The Journey So Far
Jaime Damiani, the founding academic secretary of the School of Management and Social Sciences, who decided to retire this year, received the Award for Lifetime Achievement and Contribution to the School.
“I never thought about what’s been accomplished. I always thought about what still needs to be done. However, upon reflection, there is indeed something that’s been accomplished,” he said, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and the growth the department has seen since he began working there 28 years ago.
“There’s been a lot of progress, especially in the college’s culture. We’re leaving behind a very strong team. You’re in the best position to assess what’s been accomplished. This is a work in progress.”
“In a world where people are often judged by what they have or do, you wonder what happens next. What I have is love and appreciation. As for the rest, I don’t worry about it because I know who I am.”
Full ceremony:
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