Teachers create app that helps artisans

As they say, without administration, no business can survive. That's why the University of Cundinamarca and the Lázaro Cárdenas Institute (Mexico), aware of the need to respond to the needs of their communities, as outlined in their educational models, undertook the task of structuring this technological aid. “The project is called Design and Implementation of an Accounting Application for Artisans in the Department of Cundinamarca and the State of Michoacán in Mexico. In our case, we focused on Ubaté and Soacha,” explains Miryam Rocío Páez, a professor in the Public Accounting program at the Ubaté campus.

Thus, through meetings with the beneficiaries, they began working diligently to understand their needs. “In Colombia, we started with those who make wool and reed crafts, and in the province of Soacha, we focused on food. In Mexico, food is also a key issue. Essentially, we want to make accounting more user-friendly, especially regarding the legal and tax aspects they need to understand.”.

The work is already well underway and promises to be a significant help. “Our greatest progress has been with the wool artisans; we have already documented their process. We also conducted a pilot study on cost calculations, results, and inventory management. Now we will pilot this study, which will then be replicated for other crafts. Likewise, we are characterizing products made from jute and esparto grass—types of plants used for processing—and in Soacha, we are on par with the work on traditional baked goods.”.

This project, which corresponds to the university's fourth call for proposals, began in February 2023 and will conclude this year. "We are already in the design phase. The logo is ready and we will unveil it soon."“

Regarding the rollout of the app, teacher Myriam Rocío is clear. “We will do it through the Economic Development offices of the two municipalities involved. Likewise, here in Ubaté there is a fair called Expolana where we will conduct a pilot program so that people can learn about the app and use it.”.

This initiative is a joint effort with the Faculty of Systems and Computer Engineering in Ubaté, through Cristian Cano, and in Soacha, Ana Karina López, an industrial engineer, is involved. “Two engineers and one accountant are working on this project in each country, Colombia and Mexico.”.

For this knowledge manager, the words of Rector Adriano Muñoz Barrera resonate more than ever when he speaks of the university's need to focus its dialogue of knowledge primarily on Latin America. “The idea of sharing knowledge with other countries is key to enriching our understanding. That's why the idea is to rescue all these traditions through this application, which guarantees their financial survival. This is important in a society where young people no longer pay attention to this type of cultural heritage.”.

For Norma, a ninth-semester Public Accounting student in Ubaté and part of the project, this experience provided valuable lessons. “It taught me how, from academia, we can contribute to improving the value chain of these artisans who depend on this product for their livelihood. They keep their accounts in a simplified way, which is detrimental because it can lead to bankruptcy.”.

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