European researchers visit ESPOL within the framework of the EENTITLE project co-funded by the European Union

On January 27, 2025, the Gustavo Galindo Velasco campus of the Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL) welcomed four European researchers as part of the EENTITLE project – Ecuadorian ENgineering educaTors’ capacITy development and rEcognition, an initiative co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ program.

The EENTITLE project aims to transform Higher Education Institutions in Ecuador by strengthening the capacities of engineering educators, promoting the transfer of European best practices, pedagogical competencies, and international teaching quality standards.

The European delegation was composed of José Carlos Quadrado, representative of ENTER; Cristina Pinto da Silva from P.PORTO; and María Isabel Doval and Antonio Pino from the University of Vigo. During the visit, meetings were held with ESPOL authorities, directors, and faculty members through focus groups, with the aim of gathering information, analyzing institutional strengths, and identifying opportunities for improvement in professional teaching development.

ESPOL’s rector, Cecilia Paredes, highlighted the importance of this dialogue space in promoting improvements in faculty competencies, emphasizing that strengthening teaching directly impacts student education and their future professional performance. She also expressed her appreciation for the active participation of the polytechnic community in this process.

For his part, José Carlos Quadrado emphasized the strategic role of public education in the country’s development and underlined the importance of implementing certification and recognition models for educators that ensure quality and inclusion. In the same vein, María Isabel Doval noted that the visit confirmed ESPOL’s institutional commitment to academic excellence and continuous improvement, also highlighting the bidirectional nature of the project, which fosters mutual learning between Ecuador and Europe.

As part of the agenda, a results presentation and validation panel was held, with the participation of Professor Ricardo Cajo from the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering (FIEC). During the event, he received public recognition for his inclusion in ENTER’s International Professional Register of Engineering Educators, strengthening his international visibility and projection.

The EENTITLE project, launched in 2023, reaffirms ESPOL’s commitment to educational innovation, internationalization, and the systematic strengthening of engineering education in Ecuador.