As part of his visit to Ecuador, Father Timothy Ploch, counselor for the Inter American Region, visited the university's branch in Cuenca on September 13th. The aim of his visit to Ecuador is to learn more about all the members of Salesian institutions in this continent, from Canada to Bolivia. Father Timothy is one of thirteen members of the Major Rector's General Council who are responsible for the regions where the Salesian Congregation can be found.

His visit to Ecuador began in the month of August when he visited the "Sagrado Corazón de Jesús" in Quito and had a meeting with Father Jorge Molina, Inspector of the Salesians in Ecuador, and the Inspectorial Council. He was also taken to learn more about salesian projects such as the "Chicos de la Calle" project, Centro de Referencia Juanito Bosco in Guayaquil and several salesian schools.

At the university, Father Ploch held a meeting with faculty directors, administrative staff and university officials, where he talked about his experiences and gave some recommendations about salesian work. "UPS is the salesian university that has improved the most regarding academia and the growth of the university community", he said. He highlighted that the work in UPS is acknowledged internationally. He asked all the members of the salesian community to put their heart into everything they do, "Education is a matter of the heart. We should never stop putting our hearts into relationships and activities with young people"