The Supervisory and Institutional Strengthening Commission (CIFI) for Yachay Tech University undertook its role pursuant to Resolution RPC-SO-36-No.808-2021 issued by the Higher Education Council (CES).

Upon a further verification and evaluation of merits carried out by the Higher Education Council, Diego Pérez D. Ed.D., was appointed President of the CIFI by majority vote. In turn, he undertook the Rectorship of Yachay Tech.

Pérez is an Industrial Engineering graduate from Texas A & M University, with studies in Business Administration at the IESE Business School of Barcelona in Spain, an MBA from the IDE Business School of Ecuador, and a PhD in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Miami, United States.

He has a vast experience in the private sector, where he worked for more than 15 years in the automotive industry for recognized brands such as Hyundai, Land Rover and Kia. Later he held senior management positions in the academy as Dean, Director of Public Relations and International Relations, Administrative-Financial Vice-Rector, Academic Vice-Rector and Rector at the International University of Ecuador UIDE.

His extensive knowledge and experience in research and innovation have allowed him to hold decision-making positions in important national and international universities.

In this context, the Rector stated that: “It is a pleasure to join a university focused on research topics with high quality standards. I also ratify my commitment to work together with the university community to guarantee the election of the authorities (faculty representative, rector and vice-rector) and have permanent faculty on the way to institutionalization”.

His work will be aimed at strengthening the link with the community and focused on improving education processes according to the current situation of the COVID 19 pandemic, in order to contribute from the academia to social development by creating a collaborative synergy through projects and the creation of research networks at a national and international level. This will enhance Yachay Tech’s position as a scientific, technological and innovation benchmark, to solve the country’s problems.

In addition, the CIFI is joined by new members who underwent the same process for the verification and evaluation of merits carried out by the Higher Education Council CES. They are:

María José Calderón, PhD, research member, is an expert in Communication and Telecommunications Policies. She has more than 10 years of experience in both teaching and research on topics related to the impact of the Internet on society. She is the author of a number of academic publications on communication and politics. She has worked on communication and technology projects with the public and the private sector, and has specialized in the use of the Internet for social change. She specifically covers cybersecurity public policies, natural language analysis and Big Data research methodologies, as well as Internet public policies and participatory communication in democratic processes.

Esp. Andrés Coral, administrative member, is a legal professional with extensive experience in the public sphere, where he has developed skills inherent to administrative tasks in positions such as Deputy General Manager, General Financial Administrative Coordinator, Administrative Director, Legal Advisor, etc.

Juan Eduardo Bravo, PhD, academic member, is a professional with extensive experience in public and private universities in the country, and an expert in teaching Chemical and Food Engineering. He obtained a PhD. from the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain. He served as Dean of the School of Engineering Sciences and Industries of the Universidad Tecnológica Equinoccial and has several publications in scientific journals.

Atty. Pamela Abud Ramos, a lawyer by profession, graduated with a master’s degree in Law with a minor in public management from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, with experience in the private and public sector. She has knowledge in public procurement and administrative law in the public sector and has held positions in public companies of Decentralized Autonomous Governments, as well as in Central Government institutions such as SENESCYT, where she developed knowledge related to higher education.

The members of the Supervisory and Institutional Strengthening Commission CIFI, according to the resolution issued by the Higher Education Council CES, will hold office until May 31, 2022.

Finally, Dr. Pérez stressed that the CIFI will work responsibly and as a team, involving all the actors of the university community.