Case Studies to Strengthen Academic Mobility for Students in the Advanced Diploma Program

This document presents a pedagogical initiative aimed at strengthening academic mobility for students enrolled in the Advanced Diploma Program in Safety and Environmental Management Systems for the Food Sector at Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia (UNAD). The program integrates academic training with international certification programs developed in partnership with SGS Academy, enabling students to obtain certifications as internal auditors in GMP, HACCP, ISO 22000:2018, and ISO 14001:2015.

The pedagogical strategy is grounded in the use of case studies as a methodology for promoting autonomous, collaborative, and meaningful learning. Through the analysis of real-world situations related to food engineering, students develop competencies in interpretation, reasoning, and decision-making aimed at solving problems associated with quality, safety, and environmental management within food production processes.

The methodological approach includes stages of individual theoretical preparation, case analysis, collaborative discussion, solution design, and the development of final reports in virtual learning environments. Within this framework, the instructor assumes a continuous support role through conceptual guidance, the formulation of reflective questions, and ongoing monitoring of collaborative dynamics developed in academic forums.

The results demonstrate high levels of academic performance and effectiveness in international certification processes, with pass rates exceeding 97% in both the certificate program and the internal auditor certification. Furthermore, the experience contributed to strengthening professional competencies, analytical skills, and the capacity to perform in national and international contexts related to quality management and food safety systems.