This experience addresses the case study of the II Institutional Self-Evaluation of the National University of Lanús (UNLa), conducted in 2011-2012. This participatory evaluation was driven by the university authorities in line with its conception as a committed urban university; as a public, social and collective resource and as a workshop to instil UNLa knowledge and values. From the evaluation perspective, it was conceived as a systematic practice of elaborating evaluative knowledge for decision-making, from which lessons from the experience can be taken and new directions set out for improving management.

The aims of the II Institutional Self-Evaluation were to:

• Put in place a deliberative and reflective process regarding UNLa performance,
• estimate progress achieved in relation to the recommendations that came from the previous self-evaluation,
• estimate the size of the gap between the 2003 strategic plan and the reality,
• generate recommendations for decision-making,
• establish a precedent and reflective framework for the second external evaluation of CONEAU (National Commission for University Evaluation and Accreditation).

The II Institutional Self-Evaluation, as reported in the document, was participatory since its conception. Workshops and related commissions were used as the main tools to gather information and elaborate evaluative judgments and validation. You can view their interactions by clicking on the image.

This experience was one of the ones chosen in the Call for Experiences to participate in the First  EvalParticipativa Gathering held in Quito, Ecuador, in November 2019.   Click on the image to download the case study presentation with details of the evaluative process and its results. The presentation also contains photographs which allow you to get to know the UNLa: its values, its people, its buildings and land.

This example has been documented in the book Leaving a Footprint.  Stories of Evaluations that Made a Difference .