ESPOL reflects on the key role of the Social Sciences and Humanities in university education

On July 8, 2025, the Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL) organized an academic reflection session within the framework of the EENTITLE – Ecuadorian ENgineering educaTors’ capacITy development and rEcognition project. The event featured María Isabel Doval, Vice Dean of Research, Development and Innovation at the Universidad de Vigo (Spain). The session brought together directors, deans, vice-deans, and program coordinators to reflect on the transformative role of Social Sciences and Humanities in higher education, particularly in institutions with a strong technical and engineering tradition such as ESPOL. During her presentation, Doval addressed the global decline in the perceived value of Social Sciences and Humanities, often associated with concerns about employability and economic return. However, she emphasized their strategic importance in an increasingly complex world shaped by artificial intelligence, climate change, and rapid technological transformation. “The 21st century is a multifaceted reality. To face its challenges, we need comprehensive solutions, accompanied by ethics, philosophy, and an understanding of human behavior and the eco-social environment,” she stated. She stressed that engineers must not only master technical knowledge, but also understand the social implications, ethical dimensions, and long-term consequences of their decisions. In this context, integrating Humanities and Social Sciences into STEM programs becomes essential for preparing responsible professionals capable of addressing global challenges. The session also explored practical approaches for incorporating humanities components into undergraduate and postgraduate curricula. Particular attention was given to the development of soft skills such as oral and written communication, leadership, empathy, and negotiation—competencies that are increasingly valued in today’s professional environments. Additionally, areas such as applied philosophy, sociology, gender studies, and geopolitical

analysis were highlighted as key tools for fostering ethical awareness and critical thinking. This activity was carried out under the EENTITLE project, co-financed by the European Union through the Erasmus+ program. The initiative promotes upskilling and reskilling of engineering educators through collaboration between Ecuadorian and European higher education institutions, including ESPOL, TalTech, Universidad Estatal de Milagro, Universidad Nacional de Loja, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE, CEDIA, ENTER, P.PORTO and Senescyt, among others. In the words of ESPOL’s Rector, Cecilia Paredes, the project seeks to “create spaces for continuous improvement for our professors and redefine pedagogical approaches, ensuring that university education responds to real societal challenges and the ethical practice of the profession.” This meeting reinforces ESPOL’s commitment to interdisciplinary education, combining technical excellence with a deep understanding of human contexts, and reaffirming its mission as a public higher education institution dedicated to forming critical, responsible, and socially aware professionals.