Assessment of graduate satisfaction regarding the quality and relevance of the academic program at a private university in Paraguay

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53732/rccsociales/e70119

Keywords:

Higher education, educational quality, educational innovations, evaluation, social skills, university students

Abstract

This research aims to assess the satisfaction of graduates regarding the quality and relevance of the academic program at a private university in Paraguay. A quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional study design was employed. The population consisted of undergraduate graduates from the Universidad Iberoamericana (2019–2023). A structured survey was administered to an intentional sample of 123 graduates, covering five variables: quality, relevance, innovation, cognitive and interpersonal skills, and institutional support. The instrument was validated through expert judgment and a pilot test, yielding a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.828. The analysis was descriptive, using absolute and percentage frequencies. A high level of satisfaction was observed regarding the quality of the program (81.3%), curricular relevance (81.3%), and the development of cognitive and interpersonal skills (over 75%). However, only 39.1% felt that the content aligns with market demands, and less than 50% expressed satisfaction with training in digital tools. Although graduates perceive their education as solid and well-supported, challenges remain in terms of curriculum updates, integration of technological competencies, and equitable access to infrastructure. These findings are key to strengthening the relevance and quality of the institution's educational offerings.

References

Babbie, E. R. (2016). The practice of social research. (14th ed.). Cengage Learning.

Cabrera Lanzo, N., López López, M., y Portillo Vidiella, M. (2016). Las competencias de los graduados y su evaluación desde la perspectiva de los empleadores. Estudios pedagógicos, 42(3), 69-87. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-07052016000400004

Cherres Castro, A. M., Henckell Sime, E. C. L., Sandoval Peña, J. M. (2025). Habilidades blandas en estudiantes universitarios. Revista InveCom, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13984800

Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Dioses Lescano, N., Morales Huamán, H. I., Díaz de Angulo, D. M., y Vásquez Muñoz, A. (2021). Nivel de satisfacción en la formación de calidad a nivel universitario. Telos: Revista de Estudios Interdisciplinarios en Ciencias Sociales, 23(2), 247–266. https://doi.org/10.36390/telos232.04

Ferreira Ribeiro, M., Ribeiro, C., y Pereira, P. (2019). O ensino superior em Portugal: Uma abordagem holística. Revista de Psicología, Educação e Cultura, 23(2), 64–82. https://comum.rcaap.pt/handle/10400.26/31233

García Ancira, C., Treviño Cubero, A., y Banda Muñoz, F. (2019). Caracterización del seguimiento de egresados universitarios. Revista Estudios del Desarrollo Social: Cuba y América Latina, 7(1), 23-38. http://scielo.sld.cu/scielo.php?script=sci_abstract&pid=S2308-01322019000100023&lng=es&nrm=iso&tlng=es

Hernández-Sampieri, R., Fernández-Collado, C., & Baptista-Lucio, M. del P. (2014). Metodología de la investigación (6.ª ed.). McGraw-Hill.

Hernández Rodríguez, R. (2008). El vínculo universidad-empresa y su relación con la competitividad de los países [Tesis Doctoral]. Universität Flensburg. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/380932845_EL_VINCULO_UNIVERSIDAD-EMPRESA_Y_SU_RELACION_CON_LA_COMPETITIVIDAD_DE_LOS_PAISES

López Obando, F. M., y Villamil Bolívar, J. F. (2019). Modelo de seguimiento a egresados con énfasis en empleabilidad para universidades latinoamericanas. Revista Iberoamericana de Educación Superior, 10(28), 85–105. https://www.redalyc.org/journal/4778/477865641003/html/

Obando, P. L., & Bolívar, H. H. V. (2019). Modelo de seguimiento a egresados con énfasis en empleabilidad. Revista Electrónica Gestión de las Personas y Tecnología, 12(35), 17-30. https://www.redalyc.org/journal/4778/477865641003/html/

Pereverzeva, M. V., Anufrieva, N. I., Kruglova, M. G., Mikhaylov, S. N., y Mamontova, Y. (2021). University graduate satisfaction profile as an education quality criterion. SHS Web of Conferences, 122, 04006. https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/202112204006

Pérez Cruz, O. A., y Pinto Pérez, R. (2020). Determinantes de la inserción laboral en egresados universitarios en México. RIDE Revista iberoamericana para la investigación y el desarrollo educativo, 11(21). https://doi.org/10.23913/ride.v11i21.732

Sarabia-Altamirano, G. (2016). La vinculación universidad-empresa y sus canales de interacción desde la perspectiva de la academia, de la empresa y de las políticas públicas. CienciaUAT, 10(2), 13–22. http://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2007-78582016000100013

Stufflebeam, D. L., & Shinkfield, A. J. (1995). Evaluation theory, models, and applications. Jossey-Bass.

Toledo Quiñones, R. E., Peláez Díaz, G. N., Blácido Alva, L., y Norabuena Mendoza, C. H. (2024). Índices de satisfacción en la universidad: Un enfoque en la gestión educativa. Revista InveCom, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10622226

Vázquez, M. G. M., y García, J. A. G. (2022). Satisfacción estudiantil en universitarios: Una revisión sistemática de la literatura. Revista Educación, 46(2), 1-26. https://www.redalyc.org/journal/440/44070055025/html/

Published

2025-08-12

How to Cite

Sosa Aquino, O., Ruoti Cosp, M., Elias, R., & Velázquez Romero, E. (2025). Assessment of graduate satisfaction regarding the quality and relevance of the academic program at a private university in Paraguay . Revista científica En Ciencias Sociales, 7, 01–11. https://doi.org/10.53732/rccsociales/e70119