The Polytechnic Institute of Leiria (IPLeiria) launched the "Observatory for Academic Success" (OPSA 2.0) in 2024, aiming to promote academic success and mitigate dropout rates among first-year students. This paper presents a one-year evaluation of OPSA 2.0, detailing the initiatives implemented across its strategic axes, challenges encountered, and future actions and directions.

OPSA 2.0 encompasses several key programs, including: a “Mentoring Program” aimed at facilitating peer-to-peer support to assist new students in their academic and social inclusion; a “Tutoring Program” providing personalized guidance from faculty to first-year students, considering academic and personal development needs; a “Pedagogical Training and Development Program” to foster the implementation of innovative, active, and diverse teaching practices; a “Special Learning Support Program” offering students diverse training initiatives aimed at developing technical and personal skills to prevent and mitigate academic failure and dropout.

These programs are supported by an “Academic Success Platform” that leverages artificial intelligence and data science to predict and monitor students at risk of academic failure or dropout, considering personal, academic, sociodemographic, and social factors.

As part of IPLeiria's commitment to the region, the “Together with the Community Program” was developed to establish collaborations with social, cultural, and sports entities to enhance student engagement and well-being. Additionally, the “Coordination, Communication, Interaction, and Dissemination Program” ensures effective project management, internal communication, and dissemination of activities and results within the academic and scientific community.

Over the past year, OPSA 2.0 has achieved significant milestones, including the implementation of the Mentoring and Tutoring Programs, the launch of extensive teacher training initiatives designed to enhance professional, interpersonal, and transversal skills, and a series of workshops focused on academic, personal, and motivational development for students.

One of the main challenges faced throughout the year was engaging stakeholders, particularly first-year students. To address this, a decentralized initiative called "OPSA vai à Escola" was introduced at the beginning of the second semester. This initiative allowed OPSA to reach, mainly those targeted first year students in each of the five superior school from IPLeiria, introducing them to OPSA’s strategic axes and available support mechanisms.

This comprehensive approach positions OPSA 2.0 as a replicable model for higher education institutions aiming to enhance student success and reduce dropout rates.

Keywords: Academic Success, Dropout Prevention, Higher Education, Mentoring, Tutoring, Pedagogical Innovation, Student Engagement.