Avaliação da extensão universitária: uma proposta para as ações de extensão da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria

Abstract

Higher education institutions are founded on three fields: Teaching, Research and Extension. On the development of universities, Teaching and Research developed in such a way that, currently, they have greater recognition if compared to Extension. Raising university Extension to the levels of Teaching and Research stems from the need of clear valuation of its actions and products. The qualification process of Extension demands establishment of an evaluation process that contemplates all stakeholders of extension practices. Within this perspective, this study’s objective proposes evaluation instruments for the actions of Extension within UFSM. For such, a theoretical framework was used on the theme, semi- structured interviews with extension participants, and research in 63 institutional websites of public federal universities associated to RENEX. Gathered data was content-analyzed, allowing for the elaboration of an adequate proposal for UFSM, also considering aspects related to management processes for the actions of Extension in other public federal universities. From the data analysis indicators’ models could not be identified in consolidated fashion in the evaluation of University Extension actions in Brazil. However, criteria and forms used on the processes that involve extension actions were found, covering from conception to close-out at national level. Furthermore, the perception of different stakeholders was analyzed with regards to the means of evaluation of Extension actions. This information enabled proposing an evaluation model for the actions of University Extension as well as detailing the implementation methodology of the evaluation model to allow for indicators specific to Extension at UFSM. As conclusion, besides the need for evaluation instruments to be under constant enhancement, extension stakeholders and their actions should be prized, searching for process improvements that facilitate administrative routines linked to the lifecycle of the actions, fomenting dissemination of extension among scholars, public servants, and communities in general. The instruments proposed here should contribute to strengthening University Extension within UFSM.