The Bachelor of Arts in Economics program at Universidad ORT Uruguay accreditation from ARCU SUR, the Mercosur Regional Accreditation System for University Programs.
ORT’s Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and the University of the Republic’s Bachelor’s Degree in Economics received this accreditation on November 28 at the Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC), becoming the first economics programs in the country to do so.
ARCU SUR accreditation is an international seal of quality for university degree programs. This accreditation sets ORT’s Bachelor’s Degree in Economics apart on the international stage.
“University accreditation has become a success story of cooperation among the academic communities of the bloc’s member countries,” said Minister of Education and Culture Pablo da Silveira.
"We are on a path where we are not only maintaining the momentum of accreditation but also seeing its effects grow stronger," added da Silveira.
A guarantee of quality
ARCU SUR is the only regional accreditation system in the field of economics. This accreditation system is the result of an agreement between the ministries of education of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, and Chile, and was approved by the MERCOSUR Council through Decision CMS No. 17/08. Currently, ARCU SUR also includes Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
Obtaining this accreditation signifies compliance with the curriculum, program duration, graduate profiles, employment outcomes, and professional skills training, among other relevant factors.
“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 applying the lessons learned from this evaluation, in pursuit of excellence in the program across all relevant dimensions,” explained Dr. Nestor Gandelman, the program’s academic coordinator.
“Accreditation examines 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, ”added Gandelman.
To grant this accreditation, the evaluation considers, among other factors, whether graduates and students are satisfied with the program, their instructors, and the knowledge they have gained; whether they are able to continue their education through graduate programs; and whether they are able to enter the job market in positions related to their field of study. In addition to the perspectives of students, graduates, and instructors, the evaluation also takes into account the views of employers.
A source of pride
At the ceremony to present the accreditation plaque, held in the Alba Roballo Hall at the MEC, Dr. Gaston J. Labadie, dean of ORT’s School of Business and Social Sciences, expressed his gratitude and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to this accreditation.
" Universidad ORT Uruguay has been committed to this process Universidad ORT Uruguay the very beginning. It is an honor to receive this accreditation, and we are also very proud," said Labadie.