The Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities (ACEEU) has awarded the University of Magdalena, in Colombia, accreditation as an Engaged University. The University is the first university in Colombia and Latin America to achieve ACEEU accreditation on engagement, showing the institution's impressive commitment to having a greater impact in the social and economic context of their region.
“This accreditation means telling the world that, from the province, the territory, amidst the needs, we can make the effort to provide education that positively transforms lives and assume a commitment that goes beyond. We are always looking for ways to move forward and we always overcome adversity” - said Prof. Pablo Very, rector of the university.
The University of Magdalena has shown in numerous ways its commitment to society, starting from its motto and value proposition to 'transform lives and territories', which pivot element is to be an influential stakeholder on a regional level. The contributions of the university are particularly important for the development of the different surrounding communities, which is embedded in the shared spirit and goals of the students, alumni, professors, staff members and external stakeholders. This accreditation now puts the university in the top world universities for the development of engagement, showcasing the excellence of the university also in its third mission efforts.
The six evaluators that contributed to the accreditation of the University of Magdalena were impressed by the clearly defined commitment to their community and the creation of development opportunities. The University has understood the role and impact of being the only public university in the region and had derived the most relevant approach to be a game-changer actor in the region through the commitment to their communities and surroundings. This ambitious goal is evident in the relations with different board members, as well as students, alumni, professors, and external stakeholders. These individuals, recognize the university's symbiotic relationship with the environment and acknowledge its significant contributions to the region's growth. One of the most striking findings of the assessment was the university's commendable ability to thrive despite financial constraints. Rather than being inhibited by limited resources, the institution takes an "in spite of" approach to overcome challenges and be able to generate substantial societal impact.
“Having visited the University of Magdalena, it is clear that the university is putting a stronger emphasis on the so-called third, next to education and research, to make the institution an engine for societal and economic development and a key actor in the region” - says Thorsten Kliewe, Chair of the Peer Review Team.
To receive this accreditation, the University of Magdalena achieved the highest "excellent" rating in eight of the 15 standards of ACEEU accreditation for engagement. The university undertook a four-phase process, including a self-evaluation and peer review visit, before the Accreditation Council awarded the Entrepreneurial University status. The university was reviewed by Prof Dr Thorsten Kliewe, Prof. Dr Sabina Ratajczak and Dr Joanne Zhang during the Peer Review Visit, and the accreditation was conducted by Dr Lina Landinez, Dr Cameron McCoy and Dr Rene Garrido, who took part as the Accreditation Committee.
To explore the comprehensive details of this achievement in the official press release available on the University of Magdalena website:
https://www.unimagdalena.edu.co/presentacionPublicacion/VerNoticia/272368
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