Between December 2025 and January 2026, Professor Verónica Pizarro, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEN) of the University of Chile and a leading expert in active learning methodologies, conducted an extensive academic mission across Spain. The primary objective was to strengthen the internationalization of Service-Learning (S+L) and consolidate strategic networks within the fields of Accounting, Auditing, and socially conscious education.
The academic journey began with a high-impact milestone: participation in the XVIII State Meeting of Service-Learning in Ciudad Real. During this event, Professor Pizarro shared FEN’s robust experience in this methodology with Spanish academics and public officials, highlighting how community engagement can be organically integrated into the teaching of technical subjects, such as Cost Accounting.
A Bridge Between Leading Universities
The agenda included strategic visits to top-tier institutions. At the University of Barcelona, the professor was invited by the Interuniversity Doctorate in Educational Psychology (DIPE), led by Marta Gracia García, to present on the contribution of S+L to the training of business students. Additionally, she held key meetings with Xus Martín and Anna Escofet, editor of the Ibero-American Journal of Service-Learning (RIDAS), to plan future editorial and academic collaborations.
The tour continued at the University of Lleida, where she was received by Dean Eduard Cristóbal. The visit focused on models for integrating S+L into undergraduate theses and final projects, effectively linking research with social relevance.
Accounting and Psychology: An Interdisciplinary Approach
The mission extended beyond pedagogy to include disciplinary strengthening. Professor Pizarro held a high-level meeting with Leandro Cañibano, president of the Spanish Association of Accounting and Business Administration (AECA), reinforcing the ties between FEN and international professional standards.
Furthermore, the itinerary included working sessions at the Complutense University of Madrid (Faculty of Psychology), Rey Juan Carlos University, the University of Castilla-La Mancha, and the Comillas Pontifical University. In the latter, she met with the S+L coordination team to explore the development of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) courses.
Outcomes and Future Projections
As a direct result of this mission, new channels have been opened for international collaborative online projects, allowing FEN students to interact with Spanish peers to solve real-world problems. Moreover, the visit reaffirmed our Faculty’s leadership in S+L methodology across the Ibero-American region.
In the words of Professor Verónica Pizarro:
“Participating in these types of academic residencies is essential for our institution’s growth. It is not just about showcasing FEN’s excellence, but about learning from other realities and sharing visions that drive innovation. These missions allow us to return with new collaborations, agreements, and methodologies that directly enrich our students’ education and keep us at the forefront of global higher education”.
Through these initiatives, FEN continues to deepen its policy of responsible internationalization, building ties that transform technical education into a global engine for social impact.
