María Sol Villagómez Rodríguez takes office as the new vice president of the university's branch campus in Quito

Quito, martes 28 julio 2020
María Sol Villagómez
María Sol Villagómez

 

The University Council, presided by Father Fransisco Sanchez, inspector of Salesians in Ecuador, and Father Javier Herran, UPS president, named Maria Sol Villagomez the new vice president of the university's campus in Quito for the 2020 – 2025 period. 

Maria Sol Villagomez has broad academic experience; she holds a PhD in education, a master's degree in Educommunication, a diploma in e-learning, she is an expert in the assessment of higher education and has a bachelor's degree in education sciences. 

She is currently the coordinator of the Education and Interculturality Research Group and the General Coordinator of the IUS Education Group, an education group belonging to higher education salesian institutions; the National Coordinator of Estrado Network in Ecuador, a member of RED kipus in Ecudor. 

She was the director of the education department (2011 – 2015), director of the pedagogy undergraduate program (2003 – 2011) and UPS representative in the Salesian Education Council (2010 – 2017). She has written papers on education, pedagogy, intercultural education, curriculums, educational politics, the salesian education system, higher education and more. She has been invited to national and international events on education. 

UPS president, Father Javier Herrán, congratulated the new vice president and thanked José Juncosa, outgoing vice president. Then, he stated that "José has completed five years of service at UPS, leaving his mark as an anthropologist, Salesian, citizen and community member. He has managed to extend interculturality to university practices, transforming his epistemic, pedagogical patterns and his development proposal, as well as the university's economic situation". 

He added that his professionalism as an anthropologist has enabled him to manage the university's campus in Quito from an intercultural perspective in an ethnically diverse university community. "For five years we have been called to think and share knowledge, produce and make decisions in a different way at the university. As a Salesian, he reread his oratorian experience and his Salesian formation, seeking to be faithful to the essential characteristics that make up the Salesian identity and as a community member, he made UPS stand out from other institutions, from a position where the university is a common use good", he said.

During Jose Juncosa's lead, continuous improvement and consolidation of academic quality were retaken, he also promoted creating new undergraduate programs. He placed "Sur" campus at the center of his management, going from a student population of 2,500 to 4,000 students with new engineering degrees, modern laboratories and study spaces. The San Bartolo Continuous Training Center was implemented, so that the university could work with boys and girls living on the streets; the Cayambe Support Center was renovated, and is now recognized as a UPS extension.

Scientific research, student innovation and entrepreneurship activities increased significantly through Coworking and StartUPS activities. He promoted the Salesian University Association with special emphasis on Culture groups (choir, dance, theater, musical bands, Tai Chi) and academics (EERI Groups, IEEE Group and Robotics) favoring their participation in national and international events.