UNL inaugurates Capacity Development Center for engineering teachers

As a leader in the southern region and with an investment of more than €100,000 in funding from the European Union’s Erasmus program over four years, the National University of Loja (UNL), as part of the implementation of the project “Capacity Building and Recognition of Ecuadorian Engineering Educators” (EENTITLE), inaugurated the Capacity Development Center to promote educational excellence.

This innovation at UNL seeks to develop the capacities and recognition of Ecuadorian engineering educators; expand methodological, didactic, and research perspectives to improve teaching and evaluation mechanisms for educators; promote and reward excellence in teaching and in the development of teachers’ skills; ensure equity and inclusion; and seek international recognition.

At the UNL, the center was designed as a modern videoconferencing room equipped with interactive touch screens with integrated cameras, HD audio and video equipment, high-speed internet, workstations, furniture, and state-of-the-art technology for the development of study guides and professional development workshops to improve skills in the face of current challenges. It will also prepare teachers for professional registration.

Nikolay Aguirre, rector of the UNL, highlighted the importance of participating in international projects, as this raises the profile of the contribution made by the Loja academy to the improvement of higher education. “Training professionals in engineering subjects is vital for the development of communities. The UNL is becoming the regional center that will coordinate cooperation between universities and institutes in the south to improve skills and teaching practices,” he noted.

José Quadrado, president of the Network of Professional Development Educators (ENTER Network), emphasized that the goal is to reward excellence in teaching, guarantee equity and inclusion, and seek professional recognition. For her part, Yolanda Vaqueiro, representative of the University of Vigo, indicated that the center demonstrates a commitment to regional development through the improvement of educational quality and solidarity among institutions.

To access the center, teachers must register as international professional educators, which requires an assessment of their skills. At the UNL, Miriam Capa, Julio Cuenca, Paulina Fernández, and Nohemí Jumbo, engineering teachers, after completing the qualification and evaluation process, received the ENTER Network international accreditation certificate that will allow them to work in Ecuador and around the world.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

UNL-EENTITLE Center

• 100,000 euros in non-reimbursable investment.
• 100 teachers benefit at the UNL alone.
• Open to universities and institutes in the region.