Strategies for university retention: a comparative study of cuban universities

Abstract

University retention is today a vital issue in the quality of higher education, And for that reason it is the subject of attention in many parts of the world and particularly in Cuba, however, studies of this phenomenon are carried out from different positions and conceptualizations that include permanence, abandonment, desertion, academic success and failure; and others, who place the phenomenon more in the individual responsibility of the students than in the institutional one. This article presents the results of a comparative study conducted by the Sectoral Program on "University Retention Strategies in Engineering Programs." The objective is to present the results of successful experiences in retention in engineering careers in Cuba and its link with educational guidance, in order to strengthen the analysis of this phenomenon, and share actions that contribute to its improvement. It explores studies of university retention in six Cuban universities; and a set of ways and actions for university retention work are recognized, taking into account the interdisciplinary nature necessary to work on retention and the central role of educational guidance in the individual-community-institution relationship. It isconcluded that the dimensions and indicators identified, along with the strategies and actions to improve the quality of retention efforts at Cuban universities, are a useful and generalizable approach.