Modeling and implementation of the argentine SACAU academic credit system by proficiency level, with focus on engineering degree

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64876/radi.v28.1

Keywords:

Student Word load, Académica credits, Credits, SACAU, CRE, Engineering, Engineering degree, Académica credit weighting index,, Internationalization, Currículum design, Acreditation, Academic Credit System, Argentina, Standarts

Abstract

The adoption of an academic credit system centered on student workload represents a structural transformation of the Argentine university curriculum. This study proposes and applies an operational model for allocating credits in program study of engineering degree that starts from teacher-led interaction hours and estimates autonomous work through a weighting index linked to the mastery level expected in each course, according to its complexity, intensity and required autonomy. A documentary analysis of current national regulations and a quantitative modeling exercise were carried out and applied to the Information Systems Engineering curriculum by means of an allocation spreadsheet. The results reveal a coherent progression of formative demand across the program study, a total workload of three hundred credits and full international comparability. The model is found to provide transparency, consistency and support for curriculum management and the recognition of learning trajectories.

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Author Biographies

Marcelo Edgardo De Vincenzi Zemborain, Universidad Abierta Interamericana

Researcher, Full time Professor. Vice President for Management and Evaluation, and Dean of Information Technology, at Universidad Abierta Interamericana UAI, since 1995. President of Fundación Iberoamericana de Estudios Superiores owner of Universidad Abierta Interamericana: President of CONFEDI, Federal Council of Engineering Deans in Argentina.           

                                  

Educational Degrees

  • Ph.D. Management Information Systems. Pacific Western University USA 2006
  • Master of Business Administration in Information Systems – UC Berkeley – Golden Gate University, San Francisco, California USA 1989.
  • Specialization in Data Processing and Specialization in Informatics Engineering. Golden Gate University, California, Berkeley – USA.
  • University Professor Information Systems Degree, Universidad Abierta Interamericana, Buenos Aires Argentina 1999.
  • Public Accounting, Information Systems Orientation, Universidad de Belgrano – Buenos Aires. - Argentina 1986

 

In the area of grade and postgraduate educational activity, he has developed Information Technology’s Doctorate, Master's and Specialization Programs and Information Systems Engineering Program, at the Universidad Abierta Interamericana, as well as other teaching at the Doctoral Program at Universidad Nacional La Plata and at University of California, Berkeley.

 

He has participated at different board of examiners and evaluating in Argentina and Latin America. He serves as President of CONFEDI, Federal Council of Engineering Deans in Argentina. From 2024 to 2025 he was the General Secretary of CONFEDI. From 2018 he was a President of the Postgraduate Commission, CONFEDI, and he is the founder of RADoI, National Network of Engineering Doctorates. In addition, he is Evaluator of LACCEI, Latin American and Caribbean Consortium of Engineering Institutions, 2023 and 2025.

 

He is President and Founder of Congreso Internacional en Innovación Tecnológica Informática, CIITI, Argentina, since 2003. Also member of IEEE, Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers, Piscataway, USA, 2005 and Expert Member of Evaluating and Accrediting National University Commission– CONEAU, since 1999.

 

Director of UAITECH Programs since 2006 which has been developed by the Universidad Abierta Interamericana, UAI, and financed by the Faculty of Information Technology – CAETI – Buenos Aires, City Government and the Buenos Aires, CIC – Scientific Investigation Commission.

 

Furthermore, he directs the following projects: “UAI Online”. Development and Research of the effects Application of the kindergarten, primary school y college education. “Online Library” and is principal investigator of "Multiplatform Collaborative Tools in the Teaching of Software Engineering".

 

He received Sadosky Awards on Quality and Educational Innovation in 2012 and 2014, and previous years. He was also awarded the “Catalyst Award” in the Teaching & Learning category, during the Anthology Together 2024 event for his production “Rubric-Driven Competency Development A Case Study Applying AI”.

Augusto Roggiero, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo

Food Engineer. Doctor of Education. Full Professor with exclusive dedication, category II of the Research Incentive Program, National University of Cuyo. Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences to Industry (FCAI-UNCuyo), re-elected for the period 2025–2029. President of the Federal Council of Deans of Engineering of Argentina (CONFEDI) 2025. Undergraduate and graduate teacher in food technology, process engineering and engineering education. Director of doctoral thesis in higher education and university teacher training.

His career is developed in the social and educational sciences, with extensive experience in university management, external evaluation and quality accreditation, curriculum design by competencies, institutional quality assurance and international cooperation in higher education. Director and coordinator of research, academic and extension projects. His scientific production covers the modeling and simulation of food technological processes, and lines linked to epistemology, pedagogical authority, pedagogical links in higher education, problems of university entrance and training of university teachers.

Daniel Morano, National University of San Luis

Ingeniero Electromecánico. Expresidente de CONFEDI, Excoordinador del Plan Estratégico de Formación en Ingeniería del Ministerio de Educación. 

Actual Miembro del Instituto de Educación (IdEI) de la Academia Nacional de Ingeniería (ANI), comisiones de CONFEDI y Par Evaluador del Sistema de Acreditación ARCUSUR.

Autor del Libro “La Formación en Ingeniería en Argentina 1865-2023” de la ANI.

Medalla al Mérito Académico otorgada por LACCEI.

Carlos Neil, Universidad Abierta Interamericana

Doctor in Computer Science from the National University of La Plata. He currently serves as Vice Dean of the Faculty of Computer Technology of the Inter-American Open University (UAI), an institution in which he has developed an extensive academic and management career for more than twenty years.

Throughout his career he has held various academic leadership positions, including Director of Computer Systems Engineering, Director of the Specialization in Software Engineering, Co-director of the Doctorate in Computer Sciences, Academic Secretary of the Master's Degree in Computer Technology and Coordinator of postgraduate programs. His experience also includes curriculum design, strategic planning, quality management and educational innovation.

As a researcher at the Center for Advanced Studies in Computer Technology (CAETI-UAI), he has directed and participated in projects related to software engineering, educational technologies, artificial intelligence, collaborative learning and competency-based education. His most recent lines of work focus on the definition, development and evaluation of skills, learning outcomes and analytical rubrics applied to higher education.

He is the author and co-author of books, chapters, scientific articles and works presented at national and international congresses. He has also directed doctoral, master's and specialization theses, and regularly participates as a lecturer, trainer, evaluator and member of scientific committees. His career reflects a firm commitment to academic excellence, research, educational innovation and the strengthening of higher education models oriented to the development of skills.

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Published

2026-08-12

How to Cite

De Vincenzi Zemborain, M. E., Roggiero, A., Morano, D., & Neil, C. (2026). Modeling and implementation of the argentine SACAU academic credit system by proficiency level, with focus on engineering degree. Revista Argentina De Ingeniería, 28, 1. https://doi.org/10.64876/radi.v28.1

Issue

Vol. 28 (14)

Section

ARTÍCULOS

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