In an event marked by anticipation and institutional commitment, the Council Chamber of the Rector’s Office at the Industrial University of Santander (UIS) hosted this morning the official launch of the work agenda of the academic peer reviewers appointed by the National Accreditation Council (CNA). The session, led by Rector Hernán Porras Díaz, marks the beginning of the external evaluation process for the renewal of High-Quality Accreditation of the Social Work and Bachelor’s Degree in Music programs—two benchmarks of excellence in training professionals with social and cultural impact in Colombia and around the world.
This process, which will extend over three intense days, represents much more than an evaluation: it is an opportunity to showcase to external peers the rigor, innovation, and commitment that have consolidated these programs as drivers of regional and national transformation. “For us, this type of academic peer visit is very important,” stated Luis Fernando Arévalo Viveros, Dean of the Faculty of Human Sciences. “These processes are essential because in education, evaluation is not limited to self-assessment; it also includes co-evaluation and hetero-evaluation. Having external peers, with extensive experience at other universities, observe and assess what we have been doing allows us to continuously improve the educational quality at UIS.”
The visit got off to a strong start: the screening of the institutional video and the remarks by Rector Hernán Porras Díaz laid the foundation for a fluid and constructive dialogue. “UIS has a very rigorous evaluation model that has been refined year after year,” added the dean. “We maintain constant contact with the peers because that is the essence of the process: a fruitful exchange that begins today and will undoubtedly lead to a highly productive experience for the institution.”
The director of the School of Social Work, Andrea Hernández Quirama, expressed pride in the progress achieved. “This visit is almost the final phase of the renewal process. We currently hold a six-year High-Quality Accreditation and have prepared with a solid improvement plan. The entire academic community—students, graduates, professors, and employers—is ready and enthusiastic to welcome the peer reviewers,” she emphasized.
The figures support this optimism: internal evaluations of the Social Work program have shown steady growth, rising from 3.90 to 4.30 and now reaching 4.76. “We have improved tremendously,” Hernández Quirama highlighted. “We now have a stronger school, with a cohesive academic community deeply committed to quality. We aspire, with full optimism, to achieve the highest rating that reflects the level of our program.”
The three-day agenda is both demanding and strategic. It includes exclusive meetings with undergraduate students, research groups, and assistants; sessions with professors; a detailed review of the curriculum, evaluation processes, and institutional support in student welfare, human resources, research, and outreach; tours of the facilities; and, of course, dialogues with employers. “Our graduates are present in various regions of the country and around the world—Spain and the United States, among others—and this will be reflected in the videos we will present,” the director added. “It is rewarding to confirm that the high quality of our training translates into successful professionals committed to society.”
By the end of Friday’s session, the academic peers will have gained a comprehensive view of the achievements, social impact, and future projection of both programs. For UIS, this process not only reaffirms its academic leadership but also strengthens its mission of training outstanding professionals in service of the country.
