2025-cohort, 2025-cohort-mentor
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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.<br />
=='''STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE I&E ECOSYSTEM (2024)'''==