Impact of quality accreditation processes in engineering programs at argentinean universities. A case study.

This paper analyzes the impact of quality accreditation policies on engineering programs, implemented by the National Commission for University Evaluation and Accreditation (CONEAU) in relation to the roles of teaching and research at four Argentine universities that are different in size, age and nature. This issue is addressed from the theoretical perspective of new sociological institutionalism and internalist approach. By analyzing official documents and in-depth interviews, it can be affirmed that this policy produced a continuous improvement. These changes differ from each other in significance and scope according to the institutional profile and the relationship between accreditation and public financing mechanisms.