The Cost Accounting Fundamentals course at the School of Economics and Business (FEN) of Universidad de Chile has reached a milestone this semester. Through its long-standing community-engaged learning methodology — which the School has been developing for more than 17 years — the course has incorporated an international collaboration with Universidad Austral of Argentina, bringing together students of various nationalities to advise Chilean women entrepreneurs.
The origins of the partnership: cooperation and teaching innovation
The initiative grew out of an exchange grant from the MetaRed X (Universia) network. FEN’s Student Entrepreneurship Coordinator and the Head of its International Office traveled to Universidad Austral’s Rosario campus to share best practices. There they identified an opportunity to run a COIL project (Collaborative Online International Learning).
At the same time, Professor Verónica Pizarro was looking for ways to innovate in her Cost Accounting Fundamentals course. After months of joint design work between faculty in Chile and Argentina, the two methodologies were brought together: COIL and service-learning. The aim was twofold — to strengthen students’ intercultural skills and to deliver more comprehensive solutions to the businesses being advised.
Internationalization with social impact
Professor Verónica Pizarro said it is a source of pride for the University to lead projects of this kind: “We are starting out as pioneers both nationally and across Latin America in the business field. For us it is wonderful to have this connection with the community, along with the enrichment that comes from learning about different cultures.”
That view is shared on the other side of the Andes. María Eugenia González Recalde, a faculty member at Universidad Austral’s School of Business Sciences, highlighted the mutual value of the project: “It is very rewarding for us. We have been doing this in Argentina for several years as well: putting the learning we have inside the university at the service of the community, in a way that enriches both sides.” She added that this semester the project includes five exchange students from Spain and Sweden, further enhancing the multicultural makeup of the classroom.
This semester, the advisory work will focus entirely on women-led businesses. The multicultural teams will act as advisors to women entrepreneurs, with the goal of costing their products and giving them tools to improve profitability.
An exchange of knowledge: academia meets the real world
For the entrepreneurs, the advisory support represents a significant opportunity to formalize and grow their businesses. Viviana Romero, owner of Masas La Patrona, sums up the synergy at the heart of the project: “I hope they give me the tools and show me where I need to be looking in order to grow the business. They bring me the academic experience, and I bring them the lived experience of what running a business really involves.”
Along the same lines, Paula, founder of the K-pop stationery shop Velvet Moon, values the chance to “keep growing as a company and bring order to the production processes behind it,” noting that the first meeting with the students was key to mapping out the work ahead.
Well-rounded professional training
Tackling real-world challenges and working in international teams has a direct impact on FEN students’ learning. Amanda Macías, a student in the Accounting and Auditing program, underscores the value of the connection: “I think it’s excellent to have links with students from Universidad Austral; it will help us broaden our perspective and complement our learning with their experiences.”
David Saez, a third-year student in the same program, points to the development of key competencies: “I expect to develop my skills in a more professional setting and to sharpen my communication skills, so I can deliver the best possible information.”
Launch and structure of the project
The recent kick-off meeting formally launched the experience. The teaching team welcomed participants, emphasizing the importance of connecting theory with real-world practice.
The project is organized into mixed teams that will provide direct advisory support to the entrepreneurs. The initial stage has focused on establishing communication channels and gaining a thorough understanding of each business. During the launch session, logistical matters were settled, an academic agreement was signed, and an interview with María Eugenia was recorded to document this institutional milestone.
By the end of the semester, the collaboration will not only have delivered real costing work to local businesses, but will also have built an academic and human bridge between Chile, Argentina and the wider world.