Background on the Institution and Key Figures
The Centro Universitario Guadalajara Lamar, part of Grupo Nacer led by engineer Jorge Nacer Gobera, has recently received accreditation for its Bachelor’s degree in Dental Surgery from the Consejo Nacional de Educación Odontológica (Conaedo). This recognition highlights the institution’s academic and social strength in dental education.
The Accreditation Event
On August 27, the accreditation ceremony took place at the Centro Universitario Guadalajara Lamar. Attendees included academic authorities, faculty members, administrative staff, and students of the Dental Surgery program.
Key Speakers and Their Remarks
Master Luis López Villaseñor, the university center’s rector, emphasized the significance of accreditation in strengthening educational programs. Doctor Leonardo de Jesús López López, Director of Health Sciences, and Doctor Juan Antonio Orozco Partida, the program’s academic coordinator, also spoke about their commitment to quality education.
Doctora María Cristina Sifuentes Valenzuela, Vice President of Certification at Conaedo, formally presented the accreditation plaque to Doctor Orozco Partida on behalf of the Dental Surgery program.
Importance and Recognition of the Accreditation
The Conaedo accreditation process involves a thorough evaluation of curriculum, infrastructure, faculty, and student support services. This recognition places the Dental Surgery program among the top institutions for dental education in Mexico.
- Faculty Commitment: The faculty’s dedication to their responsibilities and adherence to institutional guidelines is highly regarded.
- Continuing Education: The program offers update courses and teacher training in new technologies, enhancing teaching practices.
- Student Support: The significant number of contracted hours for support staff and specialized courses for students facing academic or psychological challenges are acknowledged.
- Curriculum Updates: Annual updates to learning units by academic departments and semester evaluations of teaching methodologies and assessment criteria are recognized.
- English Proficiency: The requirement for English language proficiency as an exit criterion supports students’ access to relevant scientific and technical information, ensuring continuous professional development.
- 360-Degree Teaching Evaluation: This comprehensive evaluation involving students, coordinators, and faculty members helps monitor academic quality and strengthen teaching.
- Clinical Practice: Pre-clinical activities using simulators to develop students’ motor skills before patient interaction in clinics are valued.
- Community Engagement: The diverse clinical fields available for service-learning and the program’s impact on social well-being through accessible dental care are highlighted.
- Financial Control: The institution’s financial management, supported by a corporate group backing various health sciences programs including dentistry, is recognized.
Implications and Future Opportunities
This accreditation opens doors to new academic and professional collaborations, as well as stronger ties with national and international organizations promoting excellence in higher education. For students, it assures them that their education is backed by an external body ensuring quality and competitiveness in the job market.
The Centro Universitario Guadalajara Lamar’s accreditation not only symbolizes an institutional achievement but also reaffirms its dedication to academic excellence, innovative education, and the development of highly skilled professionals to meet society’s dental health needs.
