The visit of Dr. David Julien, Executive Director of the Inter-American Organization for Higher Education (IOHE), strengthened ties with higher education institutions in the Caribbean region and mobilized Dominican HEIs toward CAEI 2025, which will take place from October 15 to 17 in San José, Costa Rica.
The visit of the Executive Secretary General of the IAU to the Dominican Republic began with his participation in the 2025 Summer Courses organized by the Cooperativa Nacional de Servicios Múltiples de los Maestros (COOPNAMA). At this event, he gave a keynote speech on “Education, Cooperativism, and Sustainable Development Goals,” which marks the strengthening of the relationship between both institutions initiated by the OUI Presidency from the Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia (UCC).
This continuing education program, which began in June, was attended by approximately 2,000 leaders from the 322 cooperative districts of the Dominican Republic, who received training on topics related to the development of the education sector and national and international cooperativism.
Dr. Julien also participated in the Assembly of the Red de Internacionalización de Universidades Dominicanas de la Asociación Dominicana de Rectores de Universidades (RIUD-ADRU), which took place in the Multipurpose Hall of the Universidad del Caribe (UNICARIBE) and served as a key space for dialogue, connection, and the promotion of Dominican higher education. Fundamental issues were addressed, such as student exchanges, partnerships with international institutions, and the opportunities offered by the Congress of the Americas on International Education (CAEI 2025). During the meeting, the new Board of Directors of RIUD-ADRU was elected, marking the beginning of a new phase with renewed commitments and challenges ahead.
On the other hand, the rector of the Instituto de Educación Superior en Formación Diplomática y Consular (INESDYC), Ambassador José Rafael Espaillat, took office as Regional Vice President for the Caribbean of the OUI.
The event took place in the “Eduardo Latorre Rodríguez” Auditorium at INESDYC and was attended by presidents and representatives of Dominican universities that are members of the OUI, as well as prominent national and international authorities from the academic, diplomatic, and governmental spheres.
During the inauguration event, Dr. David Julien, Executive Secretary General of the OUI, presented the organization’s strategic priorities for 2025, as well as key information about the Congress of the Americas on International Education (CAEI 2025).
For his part, Ambassador-Rector Espaillat, in his capacity as the new Regional Vice President, presented the Strategic Development Plan for the Caribbean 2025–2027, highlighting the importance of strengthening institutional capacities, fostering strategic alliances, and raising the visibility of Caribbean academic leadership in the inter-American space.
Also present on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX) was Ambassador José Tomás Ares Germán, Director of Relations with the Caribbean, representing the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (MESCyT), Deputy Minister Juan Francisco Viloria, who offered words of motivation on behalf of Minister Franklin García Fermín; Deputy Minister Evarista Matías; and Deputy Minister Genaro Rodríguez.
The mission of the OUI Executive director also included a visit to the Instituto Técnico Superior Comunitario (ITSC) and a working session with its rector, Dr. José Ramón Holguín Brito, and the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCyT), Carmen Evarista, in which they discussed the strengthening of technical and higher education in the country. The day concluded with a tour of the institute’s facilities.
Dr. David Julien’s visit to the Dominican Republic concluded with a visit to Minister Franklin García Fermin of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCyT), accompanied by Dr. Odile Camilo, Rector of the Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE) and President of ADRU, and Dr. José Rafael Espaillat, Rector of the Instituto de Educación Superior en Formación Diplomática y Consular and OUI Vice President for the Caribbean region.
During the meeting, they extended a strategic invitation to MESCyT to participate in CAEI 2025, to be held in San José, Costa Rica, from October 15 to 17, 2025.
