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.
This is how UniXperience 2026 was experienced at UNICDA
The Universidad Domínico Americano (UNICDA) successfully celebrated UniXperience 2026, an innovative academic event designed for young students to experience university life firsthand and explore the different areas of study offered by the institution, connecting their interests and vocations with their future professional careers.
In this edition, UNICDA opted for a dynamic single-day format, where dozens of students toured the university facilities through interactive experiences, guided activities, and themed spaces inspired by a fresh and creative concept full of emojis, colors, and innovation.
During the tour, participants were able to get an up-close look at the areas of Technology , Business , and Education , interacting with professors, students, and academic coordinators who shared information about the degree programs, professional opportunities, and educational experiences within the university.
Each space was designed so that visitors could discover their interests, skills, and vocational affinities, living an experience that combined guidance, creativity, and learning in a close and participatory environment.
The Technology area presented proposals focused on digital innovation, programming, cybersecurity, and data analysis, while Business showed opportunities linked to leadership, entrepreneurship, and tourism. For its part, Education highlighted the transformative impact of teaching and purpose-driven training.
With this initiative, UNICDA reaffirms its commitment to accompanying young people in one of the most important moments of their academic life: choosing a university career aligned with their vocation, talents, and professional goals.
UniXperience 2026 established itself as a space for inspiration and discovery, where attendees could visualize their future and connect with new opportunities for academic and personal growth.
Because the future begins when you dare to explore it.
UNICDA Education students present final project of Supervised Teaching Practice
The Universidad Domínico Americano (UNICDA) held the final presentation of graduating students from the Bachelor’s Degree in English Teaching, who successfully showcased the results of their project for the course Supervised Teaching Practice VI, demonstrating the competencies and knowledge acquired throughout their academic training.
The event, held in the university’s Exhibition Hall, brought together faculty, students, and special guests, who accompanied the future educators in this important milestone marking the conclusion of a key stage in their professional preparation.
During the session, students shared a comprehensive summary of their teaching practice experiences, along with the presentation of final projects and research developed during their studies. In addition, several workshops were conducted, focusing on essential aspects of the teaching–learning process, further strengthening their pedagogical skills and readiness for professional practice.
The event was supported by Ligia Henríquez, Coordinator of the Education Program, who endorsed this formative process and highlighted the commitment, dedication, and vocation demonstrated by the students throughout their academic journey.
This experience represents not only the culmination of an important academic process but also the beginning of a new professional stage for future teachers, who now take on the challenge of contributing to the education of new generations with dedication and commitment to teaching.
With initiatives like this, UNICDA reaffirms its commitment to training well-rounded professionals, prepared to meet current educational needs and generate a positive impact on society.
UNICDA Hospitality and Tourism students presented ‘Mexclao Restaurant,’ an innovative gastronomic experience
The Domínico Americano University (UNICDA) once again turned learning into a practical and innovative experience through MEXCLAO RESTAURANT, a gastronomic concept created and executed by students of the Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism and Hospitality Business Administration.
The proposal, developed under the guidance of Yuderka Monción, consisted of a Dominican-Mexican fusion culinary experience, fully designed by the students, who took charge of every stage of the project: conceptualization, ambiance, operations, service, and culinary execution, replicating the standards of a professional restaurant.
The activity was attended by Dr. Josefina Pepin, UNICDA’s Academic Vice-Rector; Eng. Edwin Salazar, Dean of Student Life; Lic. Rubi Bretón, Director of Research; and Lic. Alejandra Brunet, Tourism Program Coordinator, who witnessed firsthand the talent, creativity, and level of preparation of the future hospitality professionals.
Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed an eight-course menu combining traditional flavors from the Dominican Republic and Mexico, featuring dishes such as La Sopa La Mestiza, Mexclafongo, and the dessert El Maizal. The experience also included a signature cocktail bar, where ingredients like tequila, mamajuana, mango, and rum fused into original creations that complemented the restaurant’s theme.
The thematic ambiance, live music, and service provided by the students contributed to an immersive and professional experience, demonstrating the importance of practical training within higher education.
Beyond an academic evaluation, this initiative represented a showcase of UNICDA’s commitment to dynamic teaching, focused on developing real-world competencies and enhancing students’ talent in settings close to the tourism and hospitality industry.
The university congratulated the participating students for their dedication, creativity, and excellence, reaffirming that talent, when driven by passion and preparation, knows no limits.
UNICDA holds meeting among representatives of educational centers
The Domínico Americano University (UNICDA) held a special gathering with coordinators, counselors, and teachers from various educational centers, with the purpose of creating a space for reflection and exchange on the current challenges of vocational guidance in an environment shaped by technological transformation.
As part of the activity, the talk ‘Guiding in Uncertainty: Vocational Guidance in the Age of Artificial Intelligence’ was delivered by Ofelia Berrido, a professional with extensive experience in educational transformation, faculty development, and university leadership.
During her presentation, the specialist shared perspectives, experiences, and key tools to support new generations in making academic and professional decisions within an increasingly dynamic, digital, and changing context. She also emphasized the importance of strengthening human competencies, critical thinking, and strategic guidance in light of the impact of artificial intelligence on the future of work and education.
The gathering also helped strengthen the bond between the university and educational centers, fostering dialogue on the role of vocational guidance in the comprehensive education of students and in building life projects aligned with the demands of today’s world.
With initiatives like this, UNICDA reaffirms its commitment to education, innovation, and the development of future professionals prepared to face the challenges of a constantly evolving society.
UNICDA strengthens sustainability education with the workshop “Leading Change for Sustainability”
The Universidad Domínico Americano (UNICDA) held the workshop “Leading Change for Sustainability,” an initiative aimed at strengthening students’ leadership and sustainability skills while promoting an innovative and responsible vision in the face of today’s global challenges.
The session was led by José Luis Ferreras Méndez and Ana Sevilla Pavón, facilitators from the University of Valencia, who shared their knowledge and experiences through a practical and immersive methodology focused on leadership for sustainable transformation.
During the workshop, participants took on the role of change agents, confronting real-world scenarios related to implementing sustainable initiatives within organizational environments. This dynamic allowed students to develop key skills to diagnose resistance, design impactful strategies, and promote the adoption of green innovations across diverse professional contexts.
The activity reaffirms UNICDA’s commitment to comprehensive education that fosters critical thinking, innovation, and the creation of sustainable solutions, preparing future professionals to lead positive changes in their organizations and communities.
Through initiatives like this, the university continues to champion an education that inspires change and encourages a responsible, sustainable vision for the future.