The National Accreditation Commission awarded a five-year accreditation to the Doctorate in Engineering Sciences of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, recognizing the sustained strengthening of the program, the quality of its doctoral training, and the impact of its research.
The program currently has 28 students, of whom 15 are doctoral candidates already working on their theses and 13 are in the stage preceding the qualification exam.
To date, six students have successfully completed their training and graduated with a Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences.
For program director, César Huiliñir, these figures reflect a consolidated and growing process, aligned with the quality standards required at the national level.
"The Doctorate in Engineering Sciences focuses on training specialists with the solid capabilities to research, innovate on a scientific-technological basis, and lead high-level research," he said.
"Furthermore, our research is based on an interdisciplinary approach that maximizes impact on both science and the technological foundation of our country. A personalized collaboration model between students and faculty has made it possible to sustain high-quality research and close mentorship throughout the training process," says Huiliñir.
The accreditation process began with a self-evaluation of the program and was carried out in a coordinated manner by an Executive Committee specially formed for this purpose.
The Academic Committee of the doctoral program, the Quality Assurance Office, and the Doctoral Sub-Directorate also contributed to this process, along with students and alumni, enabling a comprehensive review of the program.
Subsequently, the National Accreditation Commission (CNA) received the supporting documentation, conducted a peer review visit to Universidad de los Andes, and evaluated compliance with the established criteria.
The outcome was an accreditation for five years, a particularly notable achievement considering that the program had previously received a three-year accreditation.
"Thanks to the commitment of students, alumni, and faculty, as well as the central authorities of our University, a five-year accreditation was achieved, which is a remarkable accomplishment,"Huiliñir notes, highlighting the collaborative work that made it possible to consolidate this important milestone for the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.