Institutional Self-Evaluation Processes at UNAN-Managua: A Review of the CNEA and CECAI’s Research Work

Abstract

This documentary research adopts institutional evaluation as a strategy to improve the quality and relevance of higher education institutions (IES). This work aims to share the experiences lived at the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, Managua, on the implementation of institutional self-assessment processes the CNEA (National Council for Nicaraguan Evaluation and Accreditation) agencies conducted to achieve national accreditation and, in collaboration with the CECAI-UDUAL (Council for International Assessment and Accreditation of the Union of Universities of Latin America and the Caribbean), achieve international accreditation.
In this sense, we analyzed the process of institutional self-assessment that UNAN – Managua has been developing as part of its institutional policies. Being consistent with country laws and policies, UNAN began the process of institutional self-assessment with the CNEA in 2013 and submitted a voluntary request for self-assessment to obtain accreditation from CECAI - UDUAL in 2019. Currently, the university’s process status is in the stage of checking minimum quality.
The study implemented the content analysis method to review various national and international literature sources, as well as institutional documents such as the institutional strategic plan of UNAN-Managua 2015-2019, CNEA documents, UNAN institutional self-assessment reports – Managua, Law 704, 582, and 89. These documents aid in describing the methodological route applied by UNAN - Managua during its institutional evaluation process and the presentation of the research results.