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→‎Strategy #2 Punta del Este "MultiCenter Space"

== '''Launch an STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE I&E ~~Fair~~ECOSYSTEM (2025)''' ==

~~<span style~~=~~"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb~~='''Strategy #1 Implementation of a University Vaccination Hub (~~0, 0, 0~~Vacunate UCU)~~; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One~~ '''===Vaccination is one of the ~~opportunities we found at our campus was the lack of I&E culture among students~~ most effective public health strategies, reducing morbidity and ~~staff~~mortality, ~~regarding what it is and what~~ while also promoting equity in access to healthcare. Bringing vaccination to the university environment has~~. In response~~ the potential to ~~this~~increase adherence among young adults, ~~we worked on developing a 3 days long I&E Fair~~one of the age groups with the lowest vaccination coverage. ~~The fair itself counts on three big sectors:~~

Starting with who has no clue of this and what is going on at the university, at “Discover and Learn” will be shown all the courses and activities regarding I&E that the university has to offer. Each one with their own stand, and someone to assist who approaches. (“Look all the cool things you can do and learn!”)'''

~~<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0~~Many students do not get vaccinated due to barriers such as lack of time, distance from vaccination centers, 0misinformation, ~~0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For those who already have~~ or lack of awareness. Creating an ~~idea~~accessible, ~~but are a little scared~~ student-driven vaccination hub on ~~working on it, “Inspiration” stands will show different projects, at different stages, that are being carried out by students, graduates or staff. Some of them giving the possibility for people~~ campus aims to eliminate these barriers and respond to ~~join~~ the ~~team if it’s needed~~reality shown in our survey. ~~(“We are doing it, so you can do it too!”)~~

And having in mind the ones who already are thinking of starting with their project, “Support” will have different incubators and support funding stands to bring them closer to a support system, and show them where they can develop their ideas. (“Now if you have a project, we can help you.”)'''

~~<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb~~*Out of 200 students surveyed (0100 women and 100 men, ~~0, 0~~all under 26 years old)~~; background-color~~: ~~transparent; vertical-align~~**'''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: ~~baseline; white-space~~'''lack of time''', '''distance to vaccination centers''', and '''limited information about certain vaccines'''.*Motivation: ~~pre-wrap;">Every stand must have a playful and interactive side to~~ most students expressed that they would be more ~~attractive for those whose interest is yet~~ likely to ~~be awaken. As well as a diversity of disciplines among projects’~~get vaccinated if the service was offered on campus, due to convenience, trust in the academic environment, and ~~curses’ stands, so everyone can find something interesting for them~~minimal disruption to daily activities.~~~~

The fair will also have a Collaborative Project Stand, where people can do something (like a drawing for example) that the project needs in order to help them. An Ideas! Wall will also be found, where a problem is proposed (regarding the university) and whoever wants can come up with a solution and add it on a post it note. Likewise, Canti and feedback walls will be held.'''

~~<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb~~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''' (0discounts, 0food vouchers, 0free merchandise)~~; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At~~ to increase participation rates.*Collect and analyze '''data from the ~~same time~~pilot''', ~~a cycle of talks will be held~~ comparing actual participation with survey expectations and measuring impact on ~~some particular moments~~vaccination coverage. ~~It will count~~ *Prepare a '''final report''' with ~~an inspirational keynote speaker~~results, barriers identified, and ~~some smaller talks that give attendants tools and skills regarding I&E~~recommendations for scale-up in future semesters.~~~~

The fair itself, along with the talks, '''How will ~~catch people attention by it’s infrastructure (a big tent, music, colour lights…) and the place where they are made. That way, students and staff getting the info about the fair won’t~~ it be ~~a major problem.  ~~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"'''===

~~<span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(47~~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, 47following the Montevideo model, ~~47); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tactics/Milestones:~~in order to strengthen both academic and community bonds.

~~#Select the best date.~~#Define the curses and activities most relevant for the fair’s Discover and Learn stands.#Define the projects that will be shown.#Define the speakers and talks.#Identify the collaborative project.#Find a sponsor cowork (or more than one).#Talk with all of them.'''Our Challenge'''

~~<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0~~The central challenge lies in enhancing the spatial and academic design of the Punta del Este Campus in order to foster student engagement, 0encourage collaborative initiatives, ~~0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~~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.

= Project-based service learning =Three of the five problems we found on our university that could be identified were the lack of I & E mindset, the university don't teach how to be entrepreneurs but to be employees, and the lack of work between faculties. So, when coming up with ideas and prototyping we get one project that involves a mix of these three problems.This prototype involves service learning courses where students from all careers create projects to provide better life quality to neighborhoods or villages in vulnerable contexts.To do this they must learn theory and apply the knowledge from a work of solidarity in a real context, depending on the needs of the community. Its purpose is that the learned contribute to an effective solidarity service. To explain this idea, I base myself on a book called “Manual para docentes y estudiantes solidarios ("Manual for solidarity teachers and students"). Which gave me tools to understand what this type of learning is all about and give my prototype a name. With this project it is intended that students have a theoretical basis but also apply it to reality in a project that has continuity, that is not deserted and that gives a contribution and real impact for the community. Therefore, to carry it out, we also need the support of companies that act as sponsors, thereby, it will be possible to obtain resources that without them we would not be able to obtain and therefore the initiation would be deserted since it would not be possible to carry it out in the proper way and have the desired impact. In addition, the university should provide a physical space for students develop and work on their ideas, for example a co-work. And, provide the theoretical framework and in turn provide tutors to guide the students in the idea, as well as technical assistance from experts such as lawyers, accountants, engineers, etc. This must necessarily be interdisciplinary, so students of all careers connect and contribute each from their knowledge and discipline. This allows, therefore, that the problem we identified that the university does not work together with all the faculties can be solved as the frame of all this must be from the university and not a specific subject or faculty so that all the university will work together to carry this out, on the other hand, the assistance that is provided to students in their projects comes from different disciplines. The benefits from the student side is that their academic ability will improve because they will be able to apply what has been learned and become involved with reality, having to think about solutions that improve the quality of people’s life, which also contributes to social awareness and sensitivity.On the other hand, in terms of E&I, students will be able to be innovative in their solutions and also to create projects that contribute to the purpose of the project, to be creative, to interact with different profiles and the educational community.From the point of view of companies, being sponsors, will benefit from a marketing strategy, and have contributed to a social project for the benefit of the community improve their position and the image society have about them. Also, to link with the educational community.And for the benefits from the University, it creates a link with companies, improve the training and capacity of their students, interaction between different faculties, and generates and promotes the I & E culture throughout the university.Milestones/ Tactics#Define in which institutional framework this course will be developed (If it depends on a vice rectory, department, etc.)#Have a bag of companies with which a link is generated and with which they will work as sponsors for the projects.#Define the duration time of the course.#Define Who dictates the course.#Convincing the authorities (vice-rectory, departments, teachers, depending on what frame is made)#Define how to find and define the social problems to attend.#It defines who will be intermediary between the university and companies, and university-community.#Designate a physical space to develop students' ~~ideas.~~#Designate tutors.#Define in which academic year it will take place.'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.

~~= <span id="docs-internal~~'''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:''' https://www.canva.com/design/DAGRw-sM6LU/8FrAcTGu2fyDsfWDxUNDew/edit?utm_content=DAGRw-sM6LU&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2

Marco Montelatici

2025-cohort

18

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