Curricular Changes in Accredited Undergraduate Programmes in Argentina

Abstract

This paper assesses the impact on the curricula of undergraduate programmes in Argentina of the quality assurance mechanism implemented by the National Commission for University Evaluation and Accreditation (CONEAU). The paper examines curricula changes in pharmacy, biochemistry and agriculture undergraduate programmes to show the major observations made during the accreditation process and the possible tensions generated within institutions throughout the implementation of change. The analysis is based on peers' opinions about accredited programmes and enquiries made to academics. The evidence shows that universities faced problems when they attempted to implement changes to adjust curricula to quality criteria due to individual and organisational resistance to change. The sources of resistance identified are structural inertia, resistance to resource allocation between teaching departments, lack of consensus and threats to expertise and teaching habits. However, as the accreditation process was mandatory and institutions responded to peer review, the accreditation process had a significant impact on programmes because it enabled universities to implement curricula changes.

Keywords:

• accreditation impact
• curriculum changes
• implementation
• undergraduate programme

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Regina Wikinski (University of Buenos Aires), Gustavo Jaurena (University of Buenos Aires), Hugo Álvarez (National University of Rosario), Elsa Camadro (National University of Mar del Plata) and all respondents for their valuable opinions. Comments on this paper are welcomed by email to the authors.

Notes

[1] In Argentina, national universities are institutions created by a National Congress Act. They are publicly funded and they offer a wide range of university degrees. One of the main features of these institutions is that no fee is charged to students who attend undergraduate programmes. There is another type of universities, which are named private. They are non‐profit institutions and they charge a fee to students. These institutions need authorisation of the National Ministry of Education to offer degrees. Higher education institutes offer programmes in the same field (for example, medicine, arts).