Our branch campus in Quito held a special ceremony to celebrate the approval of the doctorate degree in Education; the approval was awarded by the higher education council (CES for its acronym in Spanish). The aim of the doctorate program is to graduate professionals who will create socially useful knowledge in the field of education, and provide solutions to socio-educational problems in changing scenarios.

The ceremony was presided by UPS President Juan Cardenas; Fernando Pesantez, general vice president; Pablo Beltrán, President of CES; Angela Calderon, President of doctorate programs at CES; and Susana Araujo, director of the National Institute of Educational Evaluation. 

 
The ceremony was also attended by Maria Sol Villagomez, vice president of our branch campus in Quito and the director of the doctorate degree in education; Angela Flores, academic coordinator; Vladimir Robles, Head of the postgraduate department; Esteban Inga, Head of research; Father Juan Flores, inspector of salesians; undergraduate program directors, professors and the general public.

During the event, Ángela Calderón officially presented the document of approval to Father Juan Cárdenas. In his speech, Father Juan Cárdenas expressed his enthusiasm for the official approval of the program and stressed how this accreditation reinforces the university's commitment to quality education.

 
“As president of the university, I have the opportunity to officially receive and present this doctorate degree, which is not only the result of the hard work of my current management team, but also of the commitment and dream of those who preceded us,” he said.

Pablo Beltrán spoke about the crucial role of education to have not only professionals capable of facing significant challenges, but also better human beings, creators of their own development in the community. “This program will provide educational researchers who are prepared to address emerging challenges and contribute to improving the living conditions of everyone,” he said.