Rubén Calderón Iglesias, rector of the Universidad Europea del Atlántico (European University of the Atlantic, UNEATLANTICO), gave two lectures in the Dominican Republic. The first of them entitled “The internationalization of the university system” at Ministerio de Educación Superior, Ciencia y Tecnología (the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, MESCyT) and “Explanatory theories of the demand for higher education, why do our young people study?” to authorities of the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (Autonomous University of Santo Domingo,UASD) of the Dominican Republic.
In the Ministry of Education, Rubén Calderón approached the internationalization of the Dominican university system as a process with challenges and opportunities for the country. It focused on building highly skilled human capital, improving employability and increasing productivity through internationalized higher education.
He also pointed out that university internationalization generates direct impacts on the economic system at multiple levels. At the microeconomic level, it affects the career paths of graduates, their ni
salary levels and skills development. At the macroeconomic level, it influences key variables such as productivity, competitiveness and economic growth.
The rector of UNEATLANTICO further noted that international academic openness helps to offset demographic challenges and attract talent that contributes to the host country’s economy.
Calderón presented higher education as a sector with its own economic impact, beyond its formative function. He emphasized that investment in education and university internationalization affects the expansion of employment, wage growth and productivity growth, being factors that strengthen the economic and social development of the Dominican Republic.
On the other hand, during the second lecture given at the Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences of UASD, he analyzed the reasons why young people study, presenting higher education as a strategic investment. He explored the theory of human capital, emphasizing its role in productivity, employability and real career options for students, as well as the real options offered by this educational level and its impact on students’ career paths.
Finally, it should be noted that both presentations were attended by academic authorities, officials from the ministries of higher education, foreign affairs, work and education, as well as the rector of the University of La Romana, Manuel Hernández Ruigómez and Antonio Ciriaco Cruz. dean of the faculty of economic and social sciences at UASD.