UNICDA and MESCyT promote scientific and technological research with the launch of the XI CEICYT Congress 2026
Under the motto “Young Science with Real Impact,” the Dominican American University (UNICDA) hosts the eleventh edition of this national scientific event, held annually to connect young talent with the country’s development.
The Dominican American University (UNICDA), together with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCyT), inaugurated the XI Student Congress of Scientific and Technological Research (CEICYT 2026), the most important scientific event for undergraduate students in the Dominican Republic.
The Congress, held on September 16 and 17 at the Patrick N. Hughson Auditorium of UNICDA, is an initiative that began in 2016 as a strategic alliance between the Vice Ministry of Science and Technology of MESCyT and the country’s higher education institutions, aiming to promote scientific culture, stimulate innovation, and link academic production with national productive sectors.
For this eleventh edition, CEICYT reiterates its motto “Young Science with Real Impact,” based on the premise that the projects presented by young people are not merely an academic endpoint but the beginning of concrete solutions for society. The event promotes the idea that student research has the transformative power to influence public policies, become sustainable enterprises, and give voice to communities.
The welcome address was given by UNICDA’s rector, Enrique A. Fernández Malla, who highlighted research as a tool to understand and transform Dominican reality, emphasizing curiosity, critical thinking, innovation, and scientific rigor. He also stressed the importance of integrity and verification of information in the face of advances in artificial intelligence, and the role of English as a tool to access global knowledge. Finally, he reaffirmed the university’s commitment to training professionals capable of generating knowledge and providing solutions from the Dominican Republic to the world.
The event featured prominent authorities from the educational and governmental sectors, including the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Rafael Santos Badía, who delivered the keynote speech, and the Vice Minister of Science and Technology, Genaro Rodríguez Martínez, who gave the opening remarks.
The keynote lecture was given by geological engineer and former Fulbright scholar Ashley Morales Cartagena, titled: “From Risk Knowledge to Resilience: Science and Research Facing the Seismic Risk of the Dominican Republic.” It analyzed the country’s particular seismic vulnerability, emphasizing the need to foster a prevention culture based on scientific evidence, highlighting the role of national geological and seismic research to generate precise data that allows updating construction regulations, designing community contingency plans, and supporting decision-making in public risk management policies.
This edition of the XI CEICYT is supported and actively participated in by the country’s main universities and academic institutions, including the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), the Pontifical Catholic University Mother and Teacher (PUCMM), Federico Henríquez y Carvajal University (UFHEC), the Technological Institute of Santo Domingo (INTEC), the University of the Caribbean (UNICARIBE), the Open University for Adults (UAPA), APEC University, Pedro Henríquez Ureña National University (UNPHU), and the ADRU Research Network (RIADRU).
About UNICDA
The Dominican American University (UNICDA), founded in 2001, is part of the Dominican American Cultural Institute (ICDA), a binational institution created in 1947 to strengthen ties between the Dominican Republic and the United States through education and culture. Over its 25 years of history, UNICDA has established itself as a higher education institution committed to academic excellence, innovation, and comprehensive training of professionals with a global vision, contributing to the sustainable development of the country.
UNICDA strengthens the dialogue with its future graduates
As part of its commitment to active listening and continuous improvement of the university experience, the Dominican American University (UNICDA) held a meeting with students who are about to complete their professional training in the fields of Education, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism and Hotel Business Administration.
The meeting was led by the Rector of UNICDA, Lic. Enrique Fernández Malla, accompanied by the Academic Vice-Rector, Dr. Josefina Pepín, and the Dean of Student Services, Eng. Edwin Salazar, who shared a close and enriching dialogue space with the future graduates.
During the session, the students had the opportunity to share their experiences throughout their academic journey at UNICDA, highlighting the main achievements reached, challenges faced, and lessons learned during their training process.
Likewise, the future professionals presented their perspectives and proposals aimed at continuing to strengthen academic quality, university services, and the student experience, contributing from their experiences to the construction of a university community increasingly close to the needs of its students.
This type of meeting constitutes a highly valuable space for UNICDA, as it allows its authorities to learn firsthand about the concerns, experiences, and expectations of those who are about to become graduates of the institution.
With initiatives like this, UNICDA reaffirms its commitment to a people-centered education, active listening, and continuous improvement, strengthening comprehensive training that prepares professionals capable of positively contributing to and transforming their environment.
UNICDA welcomes its students with an orientation day for the new semester September – December 2026
With enthusiasm and expectations for the challenges and opportunities of a new academic stage, the Dominican American University (UNICDA) welcomed its students during an event held at the Patrick N. Hughson Auditorium, marking the beginning of a new semester of training, learning, and university experiences.
The event featured the participation of Lic. Enrique A. Fernández Malla, rector of UNICDA; Dr. Josefina Pepín, vice-rector; Eng. Edwin Salazar, dean of Student Services; Eng. Paola Martínez, coordinator of Systems/Software Engineering; Dr. Ligia Henríquez, coordinator of the Education program; and Dr. Juan José Mariñez, Academic Dean, who accompanied the students during this important moment of integration into university life.
As part of the day, students took guided tours of various spaces and facilities at UNICDA, an experience designed to help them become familiar with the campus, learn about available resources, and recognize the different environments that will be part of their academic journey.
The welcome program also included specialized orientations by academic areas, allowing students to get closer to their respective fields of study, learn relevant aspects of their training, and better understand the spaces and dynamics related to their professional development. The orientations were organized into four main areas: Technology, Education, Business, and Tourism.
This event represents the students’ first approach to the spaces, services, and people who will be part of their university journey. It also serves as an opportunity to strengthen their sense of belonging and begin building connections within the academic community.
Through these initiatives, UNICDA reaffirms its commitment to comprehensive education, ensuring that each student receives the guidance and support necessary to make the most of their university experience.
Welcome to UNICDA! May this semester be the beginning of great learning, experiences, and achievements.
UNICDA promotes innovation and the protection of intellectual property during Young Innovators 2026
Within the framework of Young Innovators 2026, the Dominican American University (UNICDA) held the conference “Building Innovation That Competes & Best Practices for US IP,” a space aimed at strengthening the knowledge of young entrepreneurs and professionals about the strategic importance of intellectual property in the development and growth of innovative initiatives.
The conference was led by Malachi Hernandez, founder of Ipelint & EinsteinIP, who shared knowledge and best practices related to the protection of ideas and intangible assets that are part of technological ventures.
During the session, participants learned about the main mechanisms for protecting intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, as well as their importance in preserving the value of innovations and strengthening a company’s competitive position.
One of the highlights of the event was the need to continuously validate ideas with users as part of an innovation process focused on understanding the real needs of the market. Additionally, the importance of developing layered protection strategies and considering intellectual property as an asset capable of generating value, boosting competitiveness, and fostering business growth was addressed.
The activity also featured the participation of UNICDA’s rector, Lic. Enrique A. Fernández Malla, who addressed those present and emphasized the importance of continuing to promote a culture of innovation, creativity, and strategic vision among new generations of entrepreneurs and professionals.
The holding of this event reaffirms UNICDA’s commitment to academic training connected with the transformations of the professional and business environment, providing its students and participants with opportunities to expand their knowledge and get closer to the trends shaping the future of innovation.
Through initiatives like Young Innovators 2026, the Dominican American University continues to promote learning spaces that stimulate creativity, strategic thinking, and the ability to transform ideas into proposals with the potential to generate sustainable value.
Because innovating not only means creating but also recognizing the value of an idea, protecting it strategically, and turning it into an opportunity for growth.
Students of Tourism at UNICDA learn about new trends in the events industry during an academic visit to PYHEX Work
As part of their academic training process, students from the Tourism program at the Universidad Domínico Americano (UNICDA) conducted a field practice at the facilities of PYHEX Work, a center specialized in business and event spaces, as part of the course Business and Event Tourism.
The activity was accompanied by the professor Francesca Vásquez and allowed the students to experience firsthand an innovative proposal within the meetings, conferences, and corporate events sector.
During the tour, the students visited different coworking spaces, meeting rooms, and halls designated for corporate events, having the opportunity to observe how these environments respond to the new dynamics and needs of the business and meetings market.
The experience also allowed for the analysis of the integration of elements such as infrastructure, technology, innovation, and service quality in the design and development of competitive experiences for the MICE sector (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), one of the areas of growing importance within the tourism industry.
This type of practice constitutes a fundamental complement to classroom training, as it provides students the opportunity to transfer the knowledge acquired to real scenarios, learn about industry trends, and broaden their perspective on different fields of professional performance.
Likewise, the engagement with specialized companies and spaces helps strengthen skills related to observation, analysis, and understanding of the dynamics that characterize the events sector, contributing to preparation more aligned with the current demands of the market.
UNICDA thanks PYHEX Work for welcoming its students and contributing, through their experience, to strengthening the training of future tourism and event management professionals.
With initiatives like this, the Universidad Domínico Americano reaffirms its commitment to an education that goes beyond the classroom and connects academic knowledge with real industry experiences.
UNICDA students strengthen their training in hotel management through field practice in Punta Cana
As part of their academic training process and with the goal of connecting the knowledge acquired in the classroom with the real dynamics of the tourism sector, students from the Tourism and Hotel Management course at Universidad Domínico Americano (UNICDA) completed a field practice session from July 31 to August 2 at the facilities of Serenade Caribe Club Resort & Spa Punta Cana.
The activity was supervised by instructor Lic. Francesca Vásquez and allowed students to gain firsthand insight into the processes involved in managing and operating a hotel establishment through meetings with executives and managers from various areas of the complex.
During the program, participants had the opportunity to learn about the functions, challenges, and best practices of essential areas for hotel operations, including resident management, housekeeping, human resources, entertainment, security, kitchen, mixology, and marketing. These exchange sessions helped broaden their perspective on the comprehensive management of tourism enterprises and the importance of coordination among different departments.
The experience contributed to strengthening the students’ professional competencies by enabling them to compare classroom concepts with real-world situations and processes inherent to the hotel industry. Furthermore, it fostered a broader perspective on the challenges, opportunities, and trends that characterize the strategic and operational management of the sector.
Initiatives of this nature are part of UNICDA’s commitment to an education oriented toward the practical application of knowledge and a continuous bridge between academia and the productive sector. Interacting with active professionals provides students with real-world benchmarks to understand market demands and prepare to face the challenges of their future professional careers.
Universidad Domínico Americano expresses its gratitude to the team at Serenade Caribe Club Resort & Spa Punta Cana for their willingness to welcome the students and share their knowledge and experiences, thereby helping to strengthen the ties between academia and the tourism industry.
Through learning experiences like this one, UNICDA reaffirms its commitment to training professionals who are capable of understanding, managing, and contributing to the sustainable and competitive development of the national tourism sector.
Agreement between UNICDA and ONAPI strengthens their commitment to innovation and industrial property
The Universidad Domínico Americano (UNICDA) and the National Office of Industrial Property (ONAPI) formalized an inter-institutional agreement to establish a Peripheral Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) at UNICDA.
This initiative will provide our academic community with access to tools, technological information, and specialized assistance in industrial property, with guidance in areas such as patents, distinctive signs, and specialized database searches.
The new center will also promote training sessions, workshops, and activities aimed at students, faculty, researchers, and entrepreneurs, providing them with resources to identify the potential of their projects, strengthen their innovation processes, and explore mechanisms to protect their creations.
The agreement was signed by Salvador Ramos, Director General of ONAPI, and Enrique Fernández, Rector of UNICDA, who highlighted the importance of facilitating the university community’s access to specialized services that contribute to the development of new ideas and solutions.
With the inclusion of UNICDA, the National Network of Technology and Innovation Support Centers now totals seven Peripheral TISCs in educational institutions across the country, strengthening the innovation, research, and intellectual property ecosystem in the Dominican Republic.
At UNICDA, we continue to forge alliances that turn knowledge and ideas into opportunities to transform our environment.
Students of Tourism and Hospitality Management create memorable experiences as part of their final internships
As part of the final practical projects for the Event Planning course, taught by professor Wendy Queliz, students majoring in Tourism and Hospitality Management continue to put into practice the knowledge, skills, and competencies acquired throughout their academic training by planning and organizing deeply meaningful celebrations.
This experience allowed them to apply classroom learning to real-world scenarios, working alongside individuals preparing for very special moments and turning their stories and celebrations into opportunities to test their creativity, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
Among the events held were a marriage proposal, a baby shower, and a 15th birthday (quinceañera) celebration. These events presented future professionals with the challenge of conceptualizing, planning, decorating, and executing each proposal—taking care of every element to ensure these moments were truly memorable for both the hosts and their guests.
Through these hands-on projects, students strengthened essential skills for their future professional careers in the tourism and hospitality sector, facing real-life situations that required planning, creativity, coordination, teamwork, and attention to the specific needs of each event.
The experience also demonstrated that event management goes far beyond coordinating a celebration; it involves understanding people’s expectations and transforming important moments in their lives into meaningful and memorable experiences.
UNICDA congratulates its students for the creativity, dedication, professionalism, and excellent teamwork shown throughout these final projects, and thanks everyone who allowed them to be part of such important and special moments in their lives.
These experiences reflect the commitment of the Universidad Domínico Americano (UNICDA) to an academic education that provides students with opportunities to apply their knowledge in real-world settings and continue developing the skills necessary for their professional future.
Handover Ceremony for UNICDA Excellence Scholarships 2026 to Young Women Recognized for Academic Excellence
La Universidad Domínico Americano (UNICDA) celebró el acto formal de entrega de las Becas UNICDA Excellence 2026, un programa que reconoce el talento, la excelencia académica y el compromiso de jóvenes que hoy comienzan a construir su futuro profesional.
En esta edición, las beneficiarias son Jasmin Inoa Carrasco, quien iniciará la carrera de Ingeniería en Ciberseguridad, y Amaya Oded Ramírez Sánchez, quien cursará Ingeniería en Ciencia de Datos, ambas seleccionadas como beneficiarias de la Beca UNICDA Excellence 2026.
El acto de entrega estuvo encabezado por el Rector de UNICDA, Lic. Enrique Fernández Malla, y la Vicerrectora Académica, Dra. Josefina Pepín, quienes realizaron la entrega oficial de las becas y compartieron un mensaje de motivación para las nuevas estudiantes.
La ceremonia contó además con la presencia del Decano Académico, Dr. Juan José Mariñez; el Decano de Servicios Estudiantiles, Ing. Edwin Salazar; la Coordinadora del Área de Ingeniería, Ing. Paola Martínez; y la Encargada de Admisiones, Lcda. Kamairys Guzmán, quienes acompañaron este importante momento para las nuevas becarias.
Como parte del acto, también participó Paula Mabel Martínez Abreu, beneficiaria de la Beca UNICDA Excellence 2025 y estudiante de Ingeniería en Ciencia de Datos, quien compartió su experiencia como becaria e inspiró a las nuevas beneficiarias a través de su testimonio.
Con la entrega de estas becas, UNICDA reafirma su compromiso con la formación de profesionales que, a través del conocimiento, la innovación y la excelencia, contribuirán al desarrollo de la sociedad.
La institución felicita a Jasmin Inoa Carrasco y Amaya Oded Ramírez Sánchez por este importante logro y les desea éxitos en esta nueva etapa de su formación académica y profesional.