PuentesUC is a program of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. Launched in 2002 to set up a link between the university and local municipalities, it is a model of collaboration to maximize mutual capacities to further learning and local development. Its general objective is to contribute to student learning and community development, generating a permanent link between the university and local municipalities. Participants are students, professors, town officers and authorities in continuous learning and development. The program's name refers to a bridge that links academia with city authorities and workers. Since its creation, the program has developed over 1.000 projects in 14 municipalities with the participation of 6.500 students and 200 professors of all faculties. These projects entail coursework, professional practices, thesis or dissertations, volunteerism, extension and research.
PuentesUC creates a formal link between the university and the local community by assigning program managers to work directly with members of municipalities to address local issues by means of academic disciplines. The municipalities themselves state their requirements based on their daily experience and permanent contact with the communities they serve. These requirements are then translated into academically approachable resources by the University and each institution's program manager. This direct link allows students to engage in highly effective service programs in the local communities. Once service projects are completed, participants from both the university and the municipality share their experiences and knowledge gained. By involving both the university and community members in all aspects of establishing and fulfilling program goals, PuentesUC fosters a strong network of civic engagement amongst its students and faculty.
This program was designed and developed with the help of the Rector of the university, who views it as an opportunity to contribute to the economy's development in addition to complying with the so-called ‘third-mission’ of the universities, construed as the link with society.
The basic operation consists in an agreement entered between the highest university authorities and a municipality, represented by its mayor, to execute an array of academic activities, such as coursework, professional practices, undergraduate and graduate thesis and research work, etc, intended to solve issues that have been identified by the respective municipal officers or authorities. For this model to be successful requires that a professional be contracted who has the technical and social management capabilities (PuentesUC professional), whose prime task is to connect the municipal challenges with the different faculties, professors, and students, who will execute each project. Once both the supply and demand sides have been connected, the PuenteUC professional supervises the process as regards the technical quality of the project and the academic formation of the students. This model has enabled the working with 14 municipalities and all faculties of the university, engaging up to now over 6.000 students in concrete local development projects.
PuentesUC is part of the Center for Public Policies, being a platform for linking the different faculties with public issues, including local policies. The PuenteUC under the aegis of a recognized entity of the university, empowers its direct interaction with the authorities and professors of the university, summoning everybody to join the initiative in their teaching, research, and extension activities.
In Chile, as in several other places, the majority of government services are provided via municipal government. PuentesUC was conceived in 2002 as a beginning initiative of the Public Policies Program to set up a link between university and the municipalities. The latter are in charge of the execution of the majority of the country´s social policies. It is set up as a program that connects the university´s different faculties with concrete municipalities by means of executing academic projects tailored to the specific problems of local governments.
The Program's ultimate objective is to further learning and local development while generating a permanent link between university and municipalities, thus simultaneously pervading the communities, and the students and teachers of this university. One goal is the capacity building of city officers as regards to analysis, management and municipal innovation to improve their answer to local issues by means of academic disciplines. The municipalities themselves state their requirements based on their daily experience and permanent contact with the communities they serve. These requirements then are translated into academically approachable resources by the University and each institution's program manager.
Another objective of the Program is that the municipalities share their knowledge and their experiences, promoting a network for the exchange of successful experiences.
Since its inception, PuentesUC has been marked by certain values that guide its actions. The humility necessary to approach a different reality than that of the university and learn from it, the excellence required for all work, and efficiency in achieving results appropriate to the university and local times.
Confidence is key to smoothly connecting the municipal world with the university, the participation of all actors needed to build the bridge to address innovation, complex challenges and to respond creatively.
All this directs the focus of efforts towards community development.
PuentesUC engages in a lot of campus outreach programs and now students and others can participate online via networks such as twitter, etc.
Since its creation in 2002 until this date, the program has developed 1.069 projects in 14 municipalities that have entered the respective agreements, with participation of 6.500 students and 200 professors of all faculties. These projects entail coursework, professional practices, thesis or dissertations, volunteerism, extension and research.
This work experience entails major issues and is a unique learning opportunity for the student, which not only puts his/her knowledge to the test, but also furthers his/her social and civil capabilities and commitment, while offering a concrete approach to the operation of public service at the local level, and the prospective municipalities as future sites of professional development at the service of communities.
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