2025-cohort
18
edits
Changes
=='''STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE I&E ECOSYSTEM (2025)'''==
==='''Strategy #1 Implementation of a University Vaccination Hub (Vacunate UCU)'''===
Vaccination is one of the most effective public health strategies, reducing morbidity and mortality, while also promoting equity in access to healthcare. Bringing vaccination to the university environment has the potential to increase adherence among young adults, one of the age groups with the lowest vaccination coverage.
'''Our challenge:'''
Many students do not get vaccinated due to barriers such as lack of time, distance from vaccination centers, misinformation, or lack of awareness. Creating an accessible, student-driven vaccination hub on campus aims to eliminate these barriers and respond to the reality shown in our survey.
'''Survey findings (baseline evidence):'''
*Out of 200 students surveyed (100 women and 100 men, all under 26 years old):
**'''73% of women''' and '''46% of men''' reported being vaccinated.
**'''21% of women''' and '''42% of men''' said they were not vaccinated.
**'''6% of women''' and '''12% of men''' answered ''“I don’t know”''.
*Main barriers identified: '''lack of time''', '''distance to vaccination centers''', and '''limited information about certain vaccines'''.
*Motivation: most students expressed that they would be more likely to get vaccinated if the service was offered on campus, due to convenience, trust in the academic environment, and minimal disruption to daily activities.
'''Activities:'''
*Design and launch a '''pilot vaccination hub''' on campus, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health (MSP), RAP-ASSE, and UCU’s Student Wellbeing office.
*Train '''student ambassadors''' to promote vaccination among their peers, address doubts, and encourage participation.
*Develop and implement a '''communication campaign''' with posters, social media posts, and videos debunking myths and reinforcing vaccine benefits.
*Implement an '''integrated booking system''' with QR codes to simplify appointment scheduling and reduce waiting times.
*Provide '''incentives''' (discounts, food vouchers, free merchandise) to increase participation rates.
*Collect and analyze '''data from the pilot''', comparing actual participation with survey expectations and measuring impact on vaccination coverage.
*Prepare a '''final report''' with results, barriers identified, and recommendations for scale-up in future semesters.
'''How will it be financially sustained?'''
*By establishing partnerships with the MSP for vaccine provision and logistical support.
*Through university funding (Bienestar Universitario, Faculty of Health, Rector’s Office) to cover communication, materials, and logistics.
*By securing sponsorships from private companies (food, beverage, or health-related brands) that can provide incentives.
*By integrating the hub as a '''long-term health service''' within UCU, linked to the university health clinic.
==='''Strategy #2 Punta del Este "MultiCenter Space"'''===
This project aims to redesign the Punta del Este Campus to foster student participation and collaboration. The MultiCenter Space will bring together specialized academic centers, following the Montevideo model, in order to strengthen both academic and community bonds.
'''Our Challenge'''
The central challenge lies in enhancing the spatial and academic design of the Punta del Este Campus in order to foster student engagement, encourage collaborative initiatives, and strengthen bonds with the community. This approach seeks to create opportunities for students to contribute to their environment while also meeting valuable people in the process.
'''Identified Problem'''
Unlike the Montevideo campus, which is structured around specialized academic centers that provide tailored support for students’ professional training, the Punta del Este campus lacks a center-based Structure.
'''Proposed Solution'''
In coordination with the faculty administration, the establishment of a “MultiCenter Space” is currently being under evaluation. This initiative would extend the reach of existing centers: Including the Ithaka Center (Innovation), the Berit Center (Social Development), the Ágora Center (Library), and the Ignis Center (Communication) to the Punta del Este Campus.
'''Specific Relevance of the Ignis Center'''
The Montevideo campus benefits from a center-oriented structure, where each unit is designed to provide targeted academic and professional advantages aligned with specific career paths. By contrast, Punta del Este and Salto operate under more generalized frameworks.
For the field of Communication, this generalized model in Punta del Este derives in significant limitations, especially when compared to the resources and specialized training available at Ignis in Montevideo. A localized adaptation of the Ignis model would strengthen students’ professional practices by providing specialized spaces and new equipment.
'''Methodological Approach'''
The proposed strategy involves the gradual implementation of an Ignis-like Communication Center within the Punta del Este campus. This process would require the recruitment of trained personnel and the establishment of a designated workspace. Additionally other ideas that add up to the experience could:
*Developing a '''filming location guide for Punta del Este'''.
*Organizing '''audiovisual competitions''' (e.g., in the format of the “48 Hours Film Project”)
==='''Strategy #3 Implementation of the UMentors Peer Teaching Program'''===
Peer teaching is one of the most effective educational innovation strategies, enhancing academic performance while promoting equity in access to academic support. Bringing this initiative to the university environment has the potential to strengthen collaborative learning, reduce dropout, and empower scholarship students to fulfill their hours in a meaningful way.
'''Our challenge:'''
Many students struggle academically due to barriers such as lack of access to personalized support, high costs of private tutoring, or feelings of isolation when facing difficult subjects. At the same time, scholarship students often complete their required hours in activities not directly related to their studies, missing the chance to reinforce their own knowledge. UMentors was designed to eliminate these barriers by creating a student-driven support system based on solidarity, empathy, and shared academic growth.
'''Baseline evidence (survey findings and needs identified):'''
*A significant proportion of students report difficulties in key subjects such as mathematics, statistics, and introductory courses in health and business programs.
*Many expressed that accessible, peer-based academic support would increase their motivation, reduce stress, and improve their chances of passing courses.
*Scholarship students indicated that they would value an opportunity to complete their required hours in a way that strengthens their own academic skills, leadership, and communication.
*Pilot data suggest that peer teaching not only improves the performance of mentees but also enhances the tutors’ mastery and confidence.
'''Activities:'''
*Design and launch the UMentors peer teaching pilot, connecting students who need support with trained scholarship students who act as mentors.
*Train scholarship mentors in tutoring techniques, soft skills, and communication, ensuring both academic quality and a supportive environment.
*Develop and implement a communication campaign to raise awareness of the program through posters, social media, and classroom announcements.
*Create a simple online platform/database for matching mentors and mentees, keeping records of sessions, and evaluating impact.
*Provide incentives: during the pilot, each tutoring hour delivered counts as two scholarship hours (approved by the Scholarships Department).
*Collect and analyze data from the pilot, comparing actual participation and academic results with expectations, while identifying barriers and opportunities for improvement.
*Prepare a final report with results, lessons learned, and recommendations for long-term integration into university life.
'''How will it be financially sustained?'''
*By integrating UMentors into the university’s Scholarship Program, ensuring that tutoring hours are formally recognized and credited.
*Through institutional support from Bienestar Universitario, Faculties, and the Rector’s Office to cover materials, training, and communication.
*By leveraging volunteer spirit and peer solidarity, which minimize costs while maximizing impact.
*Through potential partnerships with external organizations or companies interested in supporting education initiatives and student well-being.
*By scaling the program gradually and embedding it as a permanent component of the University’s student support system.
=='''STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE I&E ECOSYSTEM (2024)'''==
'''Stakeholder meeting presentation link:'''
The benefit involves creating a new tradition for the university that sets it apart from others. In turn, it establishes a tradition for the coming years. Finally, the ultimate benefit is to create a more sustainable festivity.
=STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE I&E ECOSYSTEM (2023)=
Storytelling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1ExMJotZCY<br />