RETENTION OF STUDENTS IN FIRST YEAR OF ENGINEERING: COMPARATIVE STUDY

Retention in engineering programs is still a major issue in Chile, since it is much higher than all other university programs and has many variables that cause the problem. This paper is comparative study between experiences and cases in the United States and Chile that identify the variables used in models to improve retention and observe the results, so we can choose those variables that can gave are better results and can be incorporated into a model to be apply into Industrial Civil Engineering at University of Playa Ancha. The freshman students deficiencies in Industrial Engineering from the University of Playa Ancha are equivalent to those shown in papers of U. S. ethnic minorities, which allows to study the different cases and choose those variables that gave the best results. The designed model takes most of the investigated variables that match with existing resources to implement them, and compare the results obtained with historical one and thus able to work with a dynamic model that allows best practices have in the training of engineers. The designed model involves parents and guardians, the modification of curriculum to improve the knowledge base, time management creating daily study time on the freshman squedule, enhance the commitment to career and college through the involvement of students higher grades with sponsorships and personalized tutoring teachers, improving teaching through devices at achieving the learning concepts in engineering. The author's contribution is to design a model applicable to the reality of a state university, regional and bureaucratic administration, with its implementation is expected to improve retention of first year of Industrial Engineering at the University of Playa Ancha 10%.