UTAD+SUCESSO: An institutional approach to promote first-year students’ academic success
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56433/mk4skt57Keywords:
Academic Success; First-year Students; Higher Education; Student Development; University TransitionAbstract
Academic success, as well as dropout rates, is influenced by a diverse set of factors in higher education students' lives, ranging from social and academic to personal. In this regard, and in order to improve the processes of transition and adaptation to the new educational context, as well as the long-term achievement of students, higher education institutions have been developing a set of institutional initiatives and strategies.
Given this context, the UTAD+SUCESSO project aims to consolidate and broaden the work carried out by the Permanent Observatory on School Dropout and Promotion of Academic Success and the Tutoring and Mentoring Programme. It reinforces the commitment of the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD) to promoting inclusive, equitable and student-centred education. Its implementation contributes to deepening scientific knowledge about the factors that influence school dropout and academic success.
The project activities are directed at integrating and developing soft skills in first-year students, supporting teachers in adopting new methods of teaching and assessment, and developing tools that enable closer monitoring of the students’ academic progress. UTAD+SUCESSO initiatives seek to foster a more inclusive, engaging, and supportive learning environment — equipping first-year students with the tools and skills needed to succeed throughout their academic journey in higher education.
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