Collaboration between the European Union and local universities to strengthen quality higher education

On November 28 and 29, 2024, the Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL) hosted the Engineering Education Conference, held במסגרת the EENTITLE project – Ecuadorian ENgineering educaTors’ capacITy development and rEcognition, an initiative co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ program.

The project, launched in 2023, brings together national and international institutions such as ESPOL, TalTech, the University of Vigo, the State University of Milagro, CEDIA, the National University of Loja, ENTER, P.PORTO, Senescyt, and the Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo. Its objective is to transform Higher Education Institutions through an innovative model for the evaluation and recognition of engineering educators, based on the transfer of European best practices.

During the opening session, Rector Cecilia Paredes highlighted that EENTITLE is inspired by successful European experiences and emphasized that faculty evaluation and recognition are key to positively impacting the quality of engineering education in the country. She also underscored the value of collaborative work between national and European universities.

The keynote lecture, titled Enhancing Engineering Education in Ecuador, was delivered by José Carlos Quadrado, representative of ENTER and President of ENAEE. In his presentation, he contextualized global challenges, noting that a high percentage of emerging technologies has evolved over the past year and that, by 2027, a significant portion of current jobs will undergo profound transformations. This scenario demands strengthening cognitive, ethical, and social competencies in future professionals.

For her part, María Isabel Doval, Associate Professor at the University of Vigo, presented the talk Higher Education Without Limits: Innovation and Support for Students with Special Needs, focusing on diversity as a strategic axis for 21st-century universities. She highlighted the importance of building inclusive, equitable, and accessible institutions—physically, cognitively, and psychologically—designed with the active participation of all groups, especially those in vulnerable situations.

As part of the program, the panel Transforming Engineering Education: Key Incentives to Promote Excellence and Innovation was held, featuring national authorities and European representatives. Additionally, the International Professional Engineering Educator Registered (IPEER) recognition was awarded to Professor Manuel Álvarez Alvarado from the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering (FIEC), further strengthening the international projection of the academic staff.

The conference provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress achieved during the first year of the project and to carry out technical activities aimed at strengthening work packages, consolidating institutional commitment to quality, innovation, and the internationalization of engineering education in Ecuador.