Intervention in the Academic and Business Community to Determine the Perception of Holistic Competency Development in the Educational Process

This three-year research project addresses the issue of low placement of university graduates in strategic positions, evidenced by a survey showing nearly 90% occupy operational roles. The research is justified by the discrepancy between the skills offered by Latin American educational systems and the holistic competencies (such as Communication, Leadership, Problem Solving, and Teamwork) demanded by the business sector for decision-making roles. The main objective is to design innovative methodological strategies for teaching and evaluating these holistic competencies in university settings, specifically at the Salesian Polytechnic University (UPS), Cuenca campus, and their impact on Planning Zone 6. The methodology employed will be action research, supplemented by inductive, deductive, synthetic, and analytical methods. Diagnostics will be conducted within the academic community (students and faculty) and the business sector to identify specific demands. Expected outcomes include the delivery of a validated methodological strategy, indexed scientific articles (Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO), and the optimization of professional training, promoting employability and building inclusive and sustainable communities. The project has external co-financing from the Jungle Dave’s Science Foundation and aligns with SDG 4: Quality Education.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>To design Methodological Strategies related to holistic competencies in university settings through the use of action research.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Soft skills urban and rural contexts