Socio-economic profile of Industrial Engineering students at Universidad Libre Seccional Barranquilla

Abstract

This article presents the results of a socio-economic study conducted on students of the Program of Industrial Engineering at Universidad Libre Seccional Barranquilla during the academic period 2012-2, as part of the selfassessment process of the Program in order to obtain the renewal of its Qualifi ed Registry to the National Education Ministry (MEN, acronym in Spanish). Descriptive applied research and a deductive method were used in this study. Desk research through internal secondary data collection from Unilibrista Information System (SIUL, acronym in Spanish), and external secondary data collection from important sources such as the National System of Higher Education (SNIES, acronym in Spanish), the System for Dropout Prevention in Higher Education Institutions (SPADIES, acronym in Spanish) and some public-private entities which provide information about national, regional and local socio-economic issues and demographics. Additionally, depth interviews to the Faculty Board of Directors were performed, as well as self-conducted surveys with structured questionnaires to the Industrial Engineering students enrolled in 2012- 2. The survey covered 90,8 % of the target population. Thus, the data analysis, interpretation of the results and discussion is presented. Finally, fi ndings and recommendations are delivered in order to provide the updated student profi le, which may help the Program to formulate strategies in the Institutional Improvement Comprenhensive Plan (PIDI, acronym in Spanish) and therefore in its Annual Action Plan, which may foster the welfare of their students, their remaining academic excellence and future positive impact on society.