As part of the Ecuadorian Tertiary Educators Transformation and Learning Enhancement – ETALENT project, an online meeting was held on April 13, 2026, at the Yankay Capacity Development Center (CDC) of Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH). The purpose of the meeting was to present the contributions and progress achieved across the different work packages of the project.
The event included the participation of international project representatives, including Dr. Joao Rocha and Dr. José Carlos Cuadrado, as well as representatives from the various higher education institutions involved in the different work packages. The presence of Eng. Jenny Basantes, PhD, Academic Vice-Rector of ESPOCH; Eng. Fressia Pazmiño, Director of International Relations; Eng. Danilo Pastor, PhD, Dean of Tele-Education; Eng. Wilian Pilco, PhD, Dean of Academic Development; Eng. Adrián Riera, Director of Planning; Eng. Adriana Fray; and Eng. Hermes Sánchez was also highlighted, as they accompanied this space for joint academic and institutional work.
The presentation of progress was led by Eng. Danilo Pastor, PhD, Dean of Tele-Education, who shared the main results obtained as of April 13, 2026. The total number of recognitions awarded to faculty members who obtained international IPEER/IPER certifications was highlighted, reaching a total of 137 certified professors across different areas of knowledge: Engineering Educator – 133; Business, Administration and Law – 3; and Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics – 1.
A proposal for the implementation of technological infrastructure for the Capacity Development Center (CDC), located in the Faculty of Computer Science and Electronics (FIE), was also presented. This proposal is aimed at modernizing and strengthening learning environments. It includes the incorporation of specialized equipment to improve audio, video, and connectivity quality in training processes, serving as an initial planning framework for the resources expected to be implemented to optimize the center’s technological capacities.
Meanwhile, within the framework of WP7.1, focused on transparency and good governance in Ecuadorian higher education institutions, the results of an evaluation conducted among different HEIs were presented. This evaluation was based on criteria established for the construction of a dataset. As a result, it was shown that the average level of compliance in the transparency dimension, calculated based on institutional self-assessment and external verification of the items, is below 75% among the seven participating HEIs, whose data were presented anonymously.
Finally, within WP9, the dissemination and impact actions of the project were highlighted through the registration of academic events such as conferences, seminars, and meetings in which relevant information about the ETALENT project has been shared.
Additionally, Eng. Jenny Basantes, PhD, Academic Vice-Rector, presented the progress of the EENTITLE project in its second stage, with the development of Deep Participatory Research focused on Inclusive Social Recognition. This process includes the implementation of a mixed methodological approach, consultations with the university community, engagement with external stakeholders, analysis of European good practices, and the development of a system of indicators focused on equity, accessibility, diversity, participation, and faculty recognition.
This meeting made it possible to showcase the progress achieved and strengthen coordination among the projects’ stakeholders, reaffirming ESPOCH’s commitment to continuous improvement, institutional transparency, and the internationalization of higher education.
