Abstract:

We report the results of an innovative educational project for tutorial actions developed by tutors and volunteer students from ETSI Montes/UPM during the academic periods 2011/2012 and 2012/2013. The results consisted of a comparison to a survey of 60 questions that were answered by foreign students of previous years and the current course in relation to academic achievement and their satisfaction.

In the course of the execution of the protocol of the tutorial plan, that it was created previously by the group, we analyzed the deficiencies observed in the questionnaires that were completed by foreign students (Erasmus, Athens and Magalhães/Smile scholarships) in previous surveys. This questionnaire tried to analyze the integration of the international students during their stay at the Faculty. The new suggestions were implemented according to the amended protocol during regular meetings to learn about the development of foreign students in the faculty and the tasks distributed among participants during the current academic year. Additional recommendations proposed by experts in educational innovation after virtual presentations at international conferences were included.

The results of the questionnaires suggested the increase of satisfaction of new students after the implementation of the plan of tutoring and mentoring mentioned. This work is part of the dissemination of the results of the project: “Tutorial program for foreign students at ETSI Montes/UPM” that has been funded by the innovative educational program of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM).

Keywords:

Higher Education, foreign students, surveys, forest engineering, environmental science, academic advising.