Author: David Daniel Ramirez

UNICDA inaugurates cybersecurity laboratories and launches the agenda for its 25th anniversary

The university strengthens its academic offering in technology with new practical learning spaces and opens its commemorative agenda with the keynote lecture of Dr. Guido Gómez Mazara

Santo Domingo, D.N. – March 18, 2026.
The Domínico Americano University (UNICDA) formally inaugurated its Cybersecurity Laboratories in a ceremony that also marked the beginning of the calendar of activities commemorating its 25th anniversary.

The event began with the ribbon-cutting of the new laboratories, located in Building A of the campus, designed as practical learning environments that allow students to develop skills in digital defense, vulnerability analysis, data protection, and cyber risk management, using infrastructures similar to those found in professional settings.

As part of the program, the keynote lecture “Cybersecurity: Challenges and Risks in the Digital Era” was delivered by Dr. Guido Gómez Mazara, President of the Board of Directors of the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (INDOTEL). He addressed the main challenges facing digital security today and emphasized the importance of strengthening institutional capacities in the face of technological transformation.

At the conclusion of his presentation, UNICDA declared Dr. Guido Gómez Mazara a Distinguished Visitor, in recognition of his outstanding professional career, his valuable contributions to national development, and the significant impact of his lecture on the academic community.

During the opening remarks, UNICDA’s Rector, Eng. Ramón Sosa, highlighted that cybersecurity has become an essential element for the development of modern societies, noting that “information protection, network security, and the resilience of digital infrastructures are indispensable conditions to ensure trust and sustainable development in nations.”

He also emphasized that the inauguration of these laboratories represents a strategic step in consolidating the university’s academic offering in technological areas, aligned with the priorities of the Dominican State and the growing demand for professionals in STEAM disciplines.

The new Cybersecurity Laboratories will allow students to train in dynamic environments that simulate real-world scenarios, strengthening their preparation to face the challenges of the digital world and contributing to the development of highly skilled talent for the country.

The event was attended by academic authorities, representatives of the public and private sectors, special guests, and students, who praised the initiative as a significant contribution to strengthening technological education in the Dominican Republic.

With this event, the Domínico Americano University formally begins the commemoration of its 25th anniversary, reaffirming its commitment to innovation, educational quality, and the training of professionals capable of leading in a global and constantly evolving environment.

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, distinguished by its focus on academic quality, innovation, and the training of professionals with a global vision.

Choral Concert Tribute to the Homeland celebrates Dominican musical identity and tradition

In an emotional evening dedicated to national culture, the choral concert “Tribute to the Homeland” was held—a musical gathering that brought together distinguished choral groups to exalt the identity and traditions of the Dominican Republic. 🇩🇴

The concert featured the participation of the Julio Alberto Hernández Male Choir of the Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano, directed by Henry Cordero; the National Lyric Company of the General Directorate of Fine Arts, under the direction of Antonia Chabebe; and the Mixed Choir of the Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano, directed by Professor Viterbo Peña.

As hosts of the evening, the choirs of the Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano shared the stage with the prestigious national ensemble in a program that highlighted the richness of Dominican choral music, performing pieces that evoke the country’s history, culture, and patriotic spirit.

The event brought together music and culture enthusiasts in a memorable night where voices united to pay tribute to Dominican roots and celebrate the power of choral singing as an artistic and cultural expression.

The organizers thanked the audience for joining this special celebration, which reaffirms the commitment to promote and preserve Dominican culture through music.

The Dominican-American Cultural Institute (ICDA) and the Dominican Confederation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (CODOPYME) formalized a cooperation agreement, aimed at promoting training, innovation, and competitiveness in the MSME sector.

The agreement was signed by engineer Ramón Sosa, Executive Director of ICDA and Rector of UNICDA, and Mr. Fernando Pinales, President of CODOPYME, reaffirming the commitment of both institutions to the academic and business development of the country.

Through this alliance, the Dominican-American University (UNICDA) will play an essential role in the design and execution of academic programs, diplomas, joint certifications, research projects, professional internships, and university-business linkage actions.

The agreement includes initiatives in applied research, specialized training, academic mobility, internationalization of MSMEs, digital transformation, youth entrepreneurship, and cultural activities, in addition to academic benefits for employees and members of CODOPYME and their dependents.

With this collaboration, we reaffirm our commitment to quality education, innovation, and the strengthening of business development in the Dominican Republic.

The United States Embassy and the Domínico Americano University host the 2025 Annual English Teachers Conference

The United States Embassy and the Domínico Americano University (UNICDA), through its Teacher Development Center (TDC), inaugurated the 2025 Annual English Teachers Conference, an academic gathering that fosters innovation, reflection, and the exchange of best practices in English language teaching.

With the theme “SMART Teaching in ELT: Strategies for Effective Teaching Practices”, the conference seeks to strengthen teachers’ pedagogical competencies through an approach that integrates five essential dimensions: Strategic teaching, Measurable learning assessment, Adaptive methodologies, Contextual relevance, and the use of Educational technology.

The opening ceremony was led by Chelsia Hetrick, Public Affairs Counselor of the United States Embassy in Santo Domingo, and Darys Estrella, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano, together with distinguished authorities from the Ministry of Education (MINERD), the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCYT), and the National Institute for Teacher Training and Development (INAFOCAM).

In her welcoming remarks, Ms. Estrella emphasized that “learning English has been, since the origins of our institution, a tool for connecting cultures, a path to professional growth, and a bridge to a world of greater opportunities. This conference celebrates the vocation of those who make this transformative process possible: the teachers.” For her part, Chelsia Hetrick affirmed that the United States Embassy continues to support the community of English teachers in the Dominican Republic with training, resources, and professional networks such as this one. She also highlighted that turning pedagogical intent into processes and results is key to advancing toward teaching that is more strategic, measurable, adaptive, relevant, and technological.

The opening plenary session was delivered by Dr. Marvin Cardoza, an economist with expertise in macroeconomics, taxation, and labor, who addressed the impact of the English Immersion Program on the competitiveness of the Dominican Republic. Other plenary speakers include Dr. Joan Kang Shin and Brenda Pineda, experts in pedagogical innovation and technology applied to language learning.

The three-day program —from November 13 to 15— combines virtual and in-person sessions, including workshops, lectures, presentations, and spaces for exchange among educators from across the country. The Saturday, November 15 program featured more than 20 simultaneous sessions at the Catalonia Hotel Convention Center.

Through this conference, the Domínico Americano University reaffirms its commitment to contributing to teacher professionalization and the continuous improvement of English language teaching in the Dominican Republic, strengthening the institutional mission of the Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano as a binational benchmark of educational excellence and cultural cooperation.