Academic Vice-Rectors of the CRUCH address debate on the duration of degrees and timely graduation

19/07/2012
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The Council of Rectors committee reviewed other topics such as the progress of the Transferable Credit System (TCS), the qualifications framework, financing and the lack of regulation of the current Chilean university system.

Yesterday, the academic vice-rectors of the universities belonging to the Council of Rectors (CRUCH) met in the auditorium of CITECAMP at the University of Santiago to delve into the progress of the Transferable Credit System (SCT), the duration of degree programs, and timely graduation. These topics led to a more in-depth discussion about the current state of Chilean higher education, without overlooking the need for a qualifications framework, financing, and the lack of regulation of the current Chilean university system.

Fernanda Kri, Academic Vice-Rector of USACH, presented the progress and tasks to be carried out in 2013 within the framework of the SCT project. During the event, several academics shared their experiences regarding timely graduation at their respective universities. At the Pontifical Catholic University (PUC), for example, the issue has been addressed through transformations in the management and administration of degree programs via Curriculum Committees that advise the various faculties on the matter, as explained by PUC Academic Vice-Rector Roberto González.
At the same time, the issue of dropout prevention was addressed. Tito Larrondo, Academic Vice-Rector of the University of Playa Ancha, presented statistics showing how retention rates increased using a curricular innovation based on students demonstrating their competencies.
For his part, Aldo Ballerini, Academic Vice-Rector of the University of Bío-Bío, addressed one of the major challenges that has arisen when discussing what has been termed "shortening of degree programs," namely, the leveling of competencies, an issue directly related to timely graduation. At the institution in the 8th region, a network was established—the result of a MECESUP project—to strengthen strategies for improving the academic performance of disadvantaged first-year students.
“Everything we have developed has been precisely focused on the student. Scholarships so that no student leaves due to financial problems and a strong educational offering to address the general deficiencies that students bring, significantly improving the level of learning, reducing repetition rates in some subjects and, of course, decreasing first-year dropout rates, which results in timely graduation,” Ballerini pointed out.
Another example of retention strategies was implemented at the University of Talca, where a curriculum redesign was carried out across three competency areas: transversal skills, basic sciences, and disciplinary skills. As María Inés Icaza, Academic Vice-Rector of the University, stated: “We developed an efficient, concrete, and well-defined program that doesn't pose significant challenges for faculty. It uses a math leveling model with a computer platform that allows students to practice and reach a common level of knowledge. The ultimate goal is to instill in these students the understanding that they are in university, not in a high school senior year.”.

Lack of regulation

In the debate on the length of degree programs, major issues in higher education, such as the current lack of regulation of the university system and student financing, were not avoided. Roxana Pey, an academic at the University of Chile and the expert who prepared the Report on the Length of Undergraduate Degree Programs commissioned by the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) to the Council of Rectors, warned about the complexity of the issue and, at the same time, the oversimplification with which it has been handled.
“All the analysis shows that this is not a technical issue but a political one. The root of the problem is funding. The State must protect young people from being scammed and robbed, not just focus on reducing the length of degree programs.”.
Patricio Aceituno, Academic Vice-Rector of the University of Chile, contributed to the debate by expressing his concern about the chaos in which the current university system finds itself and pointing out the fundamental priorities on which vice-rectors should focus.
“I can’t imagine a Ministry of Education with a completely unregulated university system. What’s more important: reaching an agreement on the Ministry of Education or addressing the fundamental problem of how we organize a university system? We don’t just want to shorten degree programs; we want to reform the system,” he stated.