Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a University-Society Engagement Project in the Field of Mechanics

Abstract

The evaluation of university-society engagement projects remains an unresolved challenge in Latin American higher education, and Ecuador is no exception. This research set out to do just that: go beyond the numbers to understand the true impact of the “Strengthening Technical Skills for Community Development” project, implemented by the Mechanical Engineering program at the School of Engineering of the Luis Vargas Torres Technical University of Esmeraldas (UTLVTE) during the first semester of 2025. The initiative consisted of a technical training program in arc welding, in which 52 young people from Esmeraldas—from vulnerable communities (the Codesa sector)—participated. In working with them, the university not only shared knowledge but also demonstrated a willingness to listen, trust, and commitment. Using a mixed-methods approach, quantitative tools were combined with an in-depth qualitative analysis of the participants’ perceptions. The results were compelling: 100% of the beneficiaries reported being fully satisfied with the technical content they received, the facilitators’ performance during the learning process, and the practical applicability of what they learned in their daily lives. Likewise, 80.76% rated the materials provided positively , and the project achieved an overall efficiency of 90.47%, reflecting committed and well-directed management. During the process, a profound transformation was observed in the participants’ self-esteem and outlook on life. These findings were compared with international methodological frameworks and the faculty’s prior experiences, which allowed for the validation of the process’s coherence and paved the way for future replications. The project demonstrated high effectiveness in its technical, social, and educational dimensions, establishing itself as a replicable model for new community engagement initiatives in the field of engineering.