The University of the Caribbean (UNICARIBE), together with QS Quacquarelli Symonds and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCyT), held the QS Dominican Republic Forum: “Higher Education in the Global Scenario”, a space for reflection and academic integration aimed at strengthening the international projection of the Dominican university system.

Under the strategic concept “Dominican Republic: Academic Destination,” the meeting brought together 178 participants, including rectors, vice-rectors, directors and representatives of 31 higher education institutions in the country, as well as government authorities and international experts, at UNICARIBE’s facilities.

The event featured presentations by Leigh Kamolins, vice president of Evaluation and Insights at QS, and Nilly Castaño, senior consultant, who addressed issues related to institutional performance, academic reputation, talent attraction and opportunities for improvement in Dominican higher education. The panel “Dominican Republic: Academic Destination” was also held, moderated by Nicolás Elton, regional director for South America and the Caribbean of QS.

The rector of UNICARIBE, Ph.D. Ricardo A. Ramírez-Mendoza, participated in this panel, together with leaders of the sector, in a dialogue focused on the role of universities in turning the country into a regional educational hub, capable of attracting students, researchers and international alliances.

The activity was also attended by Rafael Santos Badía, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, and Dr. Franklin García Fermín, former head of that institution and current member of the Board of Directors of UNICARIBE. During the forum, attendees agreed on the need to strengthen inter-university collaboration, promote research, raise institutional quality and build a coherent national narrative that positions the Dominican Republic as an academic reference in the Caribbean.

The meeting also emphasized that the presence in international rankings should be understood as the result of a comprehensive institutional strategy, articulated with teaching, research, internationalization, innovation, quality, employability, data management and institutional communication.

With this initiative, UNICARIBE reaffirms its commitment to strengthening higher education, academic cooperation and the international projection of the Dominican Republic. It also aligns its efforts with SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 17: Partnerships to achieve the goals.

Author:
M. Julián C. Peña-Bermúdez – Vice Rector of Research