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Below is the voice of a woman of conviction, owner of her own style to lead the education of future foreign trade professionals.
What do you think are the main challenges facing international trade?
The biggest global challenge is the speed at which foreign trade can adapt to the incorporation of new technologies. The other challenge is to have uniform regulations. At the regional level, I would like to mention the Common Code of Mercosur. There is no uniform regional regulation despite the growing volume of operations. Likewise, there are no integrated customs offices.
Regarding foreign trade in Argentina, the challenge is the training of professionals. Exporting companies based their human capital on experience and not so much on training in the area, for this reason, I consider it important. It is important to have the necessary tools to be able to operate. When students ask me if it is convenient to study international trade at this time, I always tell them yes, that it is a duty to know the operation of foreign trade for the benefit of the client and the country in order to contribute to development.
In relation to this, how is the international trade degree structured?
The course is structured in three years of training, we have a purely practical orientation that favors the ability of students to adapt to different situations in the labor market and supports our mission of training highly qualified human resources. It is not an easy course. A new business language is taught that includes aspects of logistics, operations, law, etc. In addition to having a significant burden on mathematics and logic. This is because the entire international trade chain is quantifiable, without forgetting that everything must be framed within the current regulatory framework. Relevance is also given to the humanistic burden.
This course offers an intermediate qualification of Customs Clearance Technician and has direct linkage with the University of Business and Social Sciences (UCES), an advantage that allows graduates to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Foreign Trade in a year and a half.
By the way, today I will be handing out graduation certificates to 83 students in the evening shift. We currently have 600 students in both shifts.
What are the axes or priorities of your mandate in the Coordination of the International Trade career?
Every semester is a challenge. I work with the pedagogical department together. I take a macro view before starting a period to find out what the curriculum, the subjects, and, in short, the course are like. I also work with the teaching staff in a transversal and vertical way.
At the same time, we are committed to improving the curriculum in line with constant updating.
On the other hand, pedagogical monitoring of each group of students and teachers is carried out. Classes, the presence of students, the development of the program units, the quality and the evaluation criteria of the teachers are evaluated.
This is in order to train a professional who constantly applies the knowledge learned in action and can generate important changes that contribute to the company and the community.
In relation to the dynamics of change in these times, do you think that any aspect of your management needs to be improved?
I think that change should happen every day to learn something new. In addition, every four-month period, students with a different profile and expectations join. By the way, I remember a group when I took over the direction of the course. They were worried about the change in direction because they had to take the customs broker exam before the AFIP, and from then on the modality changed. This was a difficult situation, but we managed to support them and generate confidence in them to go through the change. The gratitude received was emotional.
How do you prepare young people for the performances and challenges they will face in 5 years that we cannot even imagine?
I have thought about this question and I believe that we provide students with the most important things for growth: solid knowledge and the essential tools to face any future challenge.
It is said that education is the treasure of a society. How do you encourage the click generation (connected 24 x 7 to social networks) to have an entrepreneurial instinct, to leave their comfort zone to immerse themselves in the initiative and effort inherent to work?
The answer is speaking to them in the same language. Teachers are in contact with new technologies every day. They are provided with the tools. Our institution has a laboratory with the Maria system to access Customs, computer labs and work is done in the classroom with current and real cases, in addition to a body of recognized professionals. Regarding cell phones, their use is not allowed in class because they are considered a distraction. Students need attention to understand the topics presented.
In relation to the above, what are the professionals who collaborate with the training of the future leader in international trade like?
They are experienced professionals in foreign trade, customs and customs law, committed and, above all, people who have a great love for teaching. This can be seen in the time they dedicate to the task of teaching, in the way they teach classes, in their openness to change and in teamwork. In relation to this and as an example, work was done to incorporate the subject of corporate social responsibility and the environment in the subject of Economics, and in customs law the tax aspect will be included. The teaching team is working on determining the content by subject for each area.
Karina, who are you? I am a woman of conviction.
a talent I have the talent to be flexible. I adapt to change with joy.
A word that you like I like the word trust
Why?
Because trust is the basis of everything. For me, it is a capitalized word. We build on it.
Women are dreamers. Do you have a dream?
I dream of playing golf or something that is still pending. Meanwhile I enjoy my family and traveling.
In a few hours you will preside over a graduation ceremony. What message will you give to the young graduates?
My message will be based on these certainties: trust in yourself; trust in the knowledge you have acquired; question; learn from your mistakes and always move forward. These certainties are not just a conviction, a phrase. They are also a testimony, a coherence between what you think, what you feel and what you do. Because in life, it is essential to exercise the language of the head, the heart and the hands.
With the conviction that characterizes her, this is how Karina Villagra ends, a peculiar woman who, through education, helps students grow, goes out to meet them and considers them in all their aspects. These values are some that ADUANANEWS is pleased to spread.
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
