The National Accreditation Commission (CNA) officially informed the University of La Serena that it has resolved to accredit the Pedagogy degree in History and Geography for a period of five years, from April 29, 2020 to April 29, 2025. .

The Pedagogy program in History and Geography has been in existence for 50 years, and it is within the context of its fiftieth anniversary that the process for the renewal of accreditation was carried out, which was finally granted for a period of five years.

This new accreditation exalts the values ​​and pedagogical efforts carried out by the University of La Serena and its commitment to the training of professionals of excellence. In this regard, the Rector of the university, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés Pizarro, valued the result of this accreditation process and thanked the joint effort of the entire community that makes up the degree. “Every accreditation process involves an enormous effort of organization, collaboration and willingness to join forces for the common goal. I am very proud of the work done and with great gratification for the recognition made by the National Accreditation Commission in visualizing all the growth and capturing it in these five years of certification, which is undoubtedly the result of an important advance that the institution has been demonstrating. ", he claimed.

It is worth remembering that the race began its activities in 1969, in the so-called University Center of the University of Chile, La Serena headquarters. It was in 1981, when the University of La Serena was created, that the Study Plan for the Bachelor's Degree in Education in History and Geography, belonging to the Faculty of Humanities, was approved. Then, in 1987, the title of "State Professor in History and Geography" and the degree of "Bachelor of Education, specialty History" were defined.

It was around the year 2000 that the program became part of the Faculty of Social, Business and Legal Sciences, with which the title of “State Professor in History and Geography” and the “Bachelor of Education” were established, currently current. This process had significant effects on the program, especially due to the creation of the School of Pedagogy in History and Geography, which implied a stage with greater independence and possibilities of strengthening the identity of the program. Added to this was a physical location specific to the program. School.

The Dean of the Faculty of Social, Business and Legal Sciences, Dr. Luperfina Rojas Escobar, valued the joint work to obtain this result. Likewise, he pointed out that "it has been immensely satisfying to receive this result since, in the midst of the complex situation that we are going through as a country, region and why not also say it as a university, news of the magnitude of this, fills us with joy, joy. and urges us to continue with new energies. This result is also an example of the work we have developed as a Faculty where planned work with specific objectives brings fruits that make us feel very proud of what we have achieved with everyone's support."

In addition, he recognized the hard work of each person involved in the process. “I deeply appreciate the effort, commitment and professionalism of the entire team that makes up the program, managers, academics, officials, students and especially those who led the work and those who joined along the way to carry out the task, the result achieved fully confirms once again the professional and human quality of all those who are part of this academic community,” he stated.

In accordance, the Director of the Department of Social Sciences, Mg. Hernán Cortés Olivares stressed that this accreditation is the result of organized and collaborative work. “The accreditation of the Pedagogy degree in History and Geography for five years supports the Leadership of our Dean Dr. Luperfina Rojas Escobar and the commitment of the higher authorities so that the Department of Social Sciences has a responsible academic and administrative body. and committed to personal and institutional improvement.”

Likewise, the Director of the Department of Social Sciences thanked the entities involved. “I would like to make a special mention to the Accreditation Office, who knew how to advise and guide our work and of course to all the students, graduates and employers who expressed their critical opinion of the performance and result of our Pedagogy Degree in History and Geography. I always had the faith and certainty that the joint work of the teachers, for five years, would be recognized by the peer evaluators. Happy to be part of a team with solvency, to ensure the consolidation of pedagogy, research, publications at the regional, national and international level,” he emphasized.

Likewise, the Director of the History and Geography Pedagogy program, Dr. Fabián Araya Palacios, recalled that this achievement is due to each of the administrations and coordinations that have supported the program. “I dedicate this achievement of accreditation to all the students, academics, authorities, graduates and employees who were deeply committed to the accreditation process developed in very complex circumstances due to the student stoppage, the social outbreak and the recent pandemic that, currently, It affects us. Despite all the adverse situations, we have been able to demonstrate that the degree has quality and that it can be transformed into a reference, as a pedagogical model, for the training of History and Geography teachers at the regional and national level,” he expressed.

The five-year accreditation of the History and Geography Pedagogy degree allows us to value the multiple efforts and constant commitment of each of the units and macro units that make up the University of La Serena. Each action allows us to accentuate the main commitment to quality education in favor of the training of professionals of excellence to face the challenges of today's world.

Written by Paula Godoy, ULS journalist