O processo de monitoramento e avaliação da extensão universitária: um estudo de caso na Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF)

Abstract

The present study focused on the Extension Monitoring and Evaluation (MAAE) process, aiming to help improve this step on the implementation of extension in a university environment. The Federal University of Juiz de Fora’s (UFJF) Pro-rectory of Extension (PROEX) has developed plans to improve extension registration since 2016 and, after implementing curricularization of extension from 2023 onwards, monitoring and evaluation became central elements of this process, though it is not yet wellestablished within the university. Adding to this context, PROEX must also meet the demands for results from internal audits, which have highlighted weaknesses in the MAAE area. As such, this study sought to answer the following guiding question: “How to improve UFJF’s monitoring actions and evaluations of extension actions?” For that purpose, the overall objective is to identify potential improvements for the MAAE process within UFJF. The specific objectives are to: i) describe the existing MAAE process; ii) analyze the current monitoring and evaluation process for each area and extension project, in comparison to the guiding principles and legal provisions regarding extension in Brazil, which includes recording any issues identified during the project; and iii) propose new actions for the monitoring and evaluation process for all the institution’s areas and extension projects, aiming to meet the regulations and solve any difficulties and/or gaps as identified. The methodology included a review of the literature, as well as interviews and questionnaires with individuals involved in university extension, both within the UFJF, in PROEX and the Internal Audit sector, and externally, along with other Federal Institutions of Higher Education (IFES). The results of this research show that, in general, other IFES implemented MAAEs similar to UFJF, although different strategies were adopted for curating and utilizing the results. Furthermore, some IFES stood out with their MAAE procedures. At the end of this study, an Education Plan of Action was proposed, including nine actions to be implemented by the university’s PROEX, aiming to improve the MAAE’s process, based on the presented theoretical and methodological trajectory. This study showed the potential for further studies on monitoring and evaluation of university extension, including comparative investigations between IFES, therefore contributing to the national debates regarding the consolidation of policies and evaluation systems for university extension.