Effectiveness of the Psychosocial Orientation Centre (COPSI) as a university retention and permanence strategy

Desertion in higher education in Latin America represents a problem of social interest that affects several countries in the region, such as Colombia, Bolivia and Puerto Rico, with worrying percentages. In this context, the National Open and Distance University (UNAD) has developed the Psychosocial Orientation Centre (COPSI) as a support strategy that seeks to improve student retention and permanence.

The aim of this study was to validate and characterise the impact of this initiative with a differential approach. The research methodology was mixed with an exploratory sequential design, with a sample of 380 students from the South Zone. The results show an effectiveness of 84 % in retaining students at risk of dropping out. The sociodemographic characterisation of the participants determined that women had a higher attendance at the meetings, and strata 1 and 2 had a higher risk of dropping out. Virtual and face-to-face orientation were identified as protective elements against abandonment,
and the focus groups contributed to improve the strategies. In conclusion, the  Psychosocial  Orientation Centre is an effective and differentiating strategy to improve student retention and permanence at the university, from a distance education model.