Author: David Daniel Ramirez

Tourism Advertising and Promotion students strengthen their knowledge on the power of branding in the tourism industry

With the purpose of complementing academic training and bringing students closer to current trends in strategic communication, students of the Tourism Advertising and Promotion course participated in a lecture on branding, given by Rafael Chaer, designer, creative, and strategist, as well as a professor at the School of Art and Culture.

During the meeting, participants explored the fundamental principles of brand building and its role in generating value for products and services. Through practical examples and experiences linked to the creative world, Chaer shared tools and reflections on how brands influence public perception, contribute to differentiation, and strengthen positioning in increasingly competitive markets.

Likewise, the relevance of branding within the tourism industry was addressed, highlighting how a well-defined brand strategy can become a differentiating element capable of effectively connecting with audiences and boosting the promotion of destinations, experiences, and services.

This initiative allowed students to strengthen their competencies in strategic communication and understand the importance of integrating creativity and planning into the development of innovative proposals for the tourism sector.

Through this type of academic activities, the institution reaffirms its commitment to comprehensive education, promoting learning spaces that enrich the educational experience and prepare future professionals to respond to the challenges and opportunities of today’s work environment.

UNICDA celebrates 25 years of excellence and innovation, reaffirming its commitment to the development of Dominican talent

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, June 2, 2026. – The Universidad Domínico Americano (UNICDA) celebrated its 25th anniversary alongside government authorities, representatives from the academic sector, business leaders, alumni, faculty, staff, and institutional allies, reaffirming its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and the training of professionals prepared to meet the challenges of an increasingly global and interconnected world.

During the ceremony, Darys Estrella, President of the Board of Directors of the Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano (ICDA), highlighted that UNICDA embodies the educational vision driven by ICDA since 1947, rooted in the conviction that education and culture are fundamental tools for creating opportunities and transforming lives.

Furthermore, the institution presented a special recognition to Elizabeth de Windt, UNICDA’s first rector, for her leadership, vision, and contributions to the university’s development during a pivotal stage of its growth and consolidation. Her legacy represents the commitment and dedication to service of those who helped lay the foundation for the institution that today celebrates 25 years of history.

For his part, Enrique Fernández Malla, Rector and Executive Director of the Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano, emphasized UNICDA’s role as an educational and cultural bridge between the Dominican Republic and the United States, as well as its contribution to shaping global citizens through an educational ecosystem that impacts more than 30,000 people each year.

Fernández Malla noted that the university is currently experiencing a period of institutional strengthening, reaching the highest enrollment in its history in 2026. He reaffirmed the commitment to continue enhancing academic quality, innovation, research, and collaboration with productive sectors to meet the needs of the country and the labor market.

“In perspective, twenty-five years are just a beginning,” Fernández Malla expressed at the conclusion of the event, highlighting the forward-looking vision with which UNICDA aims to continue contributing to the development of Dominican talent.

About UNICDA
The Universidad Domínico Americano (UNICDA), founded in 2001, is part of the Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano (ICDA), a binational institution established in 1947 to strengthen the ties of friendship between the Dominican Republic and the United States. UNICDA promotes an education of excellence with a global vision, oriented toward the holistic development of professionals and the cultivation of citizens committed to the positive transformation of society.

UNICDA holds Internal Entrepreneurship Competition 2026

The Universidad Domínico Americano (UNICDA) held its Internal Entrepreneurship Competition UNICDA 2026 on May 13, an initiative aimed at strengthening the entrepreneurial culture among its students and selecting the representative who will participate in the National Entrepreneurship Competition of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCyT) 2026.

The event brought together students with innovative proposals and a vision for impact, who presented their projects demonstrating creativity, leadership, and commitment to developing solutions that add value to society and the business environment.

During the competition, Enmanuel Balcácer, a Data Science Engineering student, emerged as the winner thanks to the innovation and projection of his entrepreneurial proposal, becoming UNICDA’s official representative for the upcoming national competition organized by MESCyT.

The projects were evaluated by a distinguished jury composed of Awilda Florencio, 2nd VP of Non-Financial Solutions at Banco BHD; Nayensky Concepción, Director of Entrepreneurship at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs; and Juan José Mariñez, Academic Dean of UNICDA. The jury assessed aspects such as innovation, feasibility, impact, and presentation of the initiatives.

Through activities like this, UNICDA reaffirms its commitment to the comprehensive education of its students, promoting spaces that foster talent, creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit within the university community.

UNICDA hosts conference and book launch ‘Samurai in Business’

Santo Domingo. The Domínico Americano University (UNICDA) hosted the conference “Samurai in Business: Strategy and Mindset for Success”, an event designed to strengthen strategic vision, conscious leadership, and execution capacity in today’s business environment.

The activity brought together academic authorities, representatives from the business sector, students, and professionals interested in developing skills related to leadership, strategic planning, and decision-making.

The event also served as the stage for the official launch of the book “Samurai in Business”, authored by neuromarketer, business strategist, and speaker Leiko Ortiz Cruz. The book integrates Bushido principles—such as discipline, integrity, and honor—with contemporary tools for leadership, sales, and applied neuroscience.

The presentation of the author was led by UNICDA’s Academic Vice Chancellor, Dr. Josefina Pepin, who emphasized the importance of fostering educational spaces that connect academia with the real challenges of the business world.

During her intervention, Leiko Ortiz Cruz shared practical tools related to strategic planning, business development, commercial management, and team leadership, highlighting the need to align mindset, purpose, and action to achieve sustainable results.

“The essence of true leadership is not only about achieving results, but about how one thinks, decides, and acts with coherence and virtue at every stage of the business journey,” expressed the author when referring to the central focus of her work.

As part of the announcements made during the activity, UNICDA and Leiko Ortiz Cruz informed about the upcoming Diploma in Neurostrategies and Commercial Execution, scheduled to begin in July 2026. The program will be aimed at leaders, executives, and commercial teams interested in strengthening strategic skills, decision-making, and effective execution in competitive business scenarios.

Through initiatives like this, UNICDA reaffirms its commitment to academic excellence, educational innovation, and the training of leaders prepared to generate positive impact in organizational and business environments.

Hodelpa Hospitality and UNICDA sign agreement to promote academic training and professional development in the country

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – In line with its commitment to talent development and continuous learning, Hodelpa Hospitality and the Domínico Americano University (UNICDA) formalized a strategic alliance aimed at creating new growth opportunities for employees and students, strengthening the link between academia and the tourism industry.

Through this agreement, both institutions will jointly develop initiatives that integrate academic training with practical experience, including internship programs, specialized training, academic exchange opportunities, and social impact projects.

Hodelpa associates will be able to strengthen their skills through training programs designed in collaboration with academia, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth within the organization. These initiatives contribute not only to individual talent development but also to strengthening the country’s human capital, raising the standards of the tourism industry and positively impacting its long-term competitiveness.

“At Hodelpa Hospitality, we firmly believe that sustainable development goes hand in hand with the training of human talent. This agreement allows us to continue creating real opportunities for our associates while contributing to the preparation of young professionals who will be part of the future of our industry and our country,” said Ángel Hernández, President and CEO of Hodelpa Hospitality.

For UNICDA students, this collaboration represents the opportunity to access real-world hotel industry environments, develop key skills, and complement their education with experiences that enhance their entry into the job market.

Enrique Fernández Malla, Rector of the Domínico Americano University (UNICDA), stated: “This alliance with Hodelpa Hospitality represents a valuable opportunity to further strengthen the connection between skill development and the competencies required by the productive sector. At UNICDA, we are committed to an education that combines academic rigor with practical experiences that prepare our students for an increasingly dynamic professional environment. This agreement allows us to continue contributing to talent development in the tourism industry, a key sector for the national economy, and reaffirms our commitment to training professionals capable of generating impact and contributing to the country’s sustainable growth.”

With this agreement, Hodelpa Hospitality and UNICDA take a joint step toward building opportunities that transcend the classroom and operations, betting on knowledge as a driver of growth. This alliance reflects a shared vision of the future, where training, experience, and collaboration become pillars for the development of professionals capable of adding value to the industry and the nation.

About UNICDA
The Domínico Americano University (UNICDA) is a higher education institution approved by Executive Decree No. 389-01 in 2001. It is part of the Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano, founded in 1947, and offers undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs. UNICDA is recognized for its focus on academic quality, innovation, and the training of professionals with a global vision.