Arturo Del Villar is sworn in as the tenth rector of INTEC
SANTO DOMINGO. -The Board of Regents of the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) swore in engineer Arturo Del Villar as rector of the university for a three-year term (2025-2028), making him the first graduate of the university, and the tenth person to hold the position in the 53-year history of the higher education academy.
Del Villar replaces Dr. Julio Sánchez Maríñez, who passed away in May 2025 while completing his second term in office. Del Villar's selection was announced in early November, and it came after a rigorous evaluation process of candidates, in accordance with the provisions of the General Statutes and the Regulations for the Selection and Appointment of the Rector and Vice-Rectors of INTEC.
In his first speech, filled with vision, gratitude and a strong sense of responsibility, the new rector outlined the course he proposes for INTEC at a decisive moment for higher education.
Del Villar stated that his appointment “is not a title, but an offering” to the institution that has shaped his life since he enrolled as an Industrial Engineering student. He also confessed that he hadn't dreamed of being Rector, but rather of being a leader who motivates others to contribute to the country's development. “Today I am not just assuming a position; I am assuming a history,” he said, reflecting on his journey as a student, professor, dean, and vice-rector before becoming Rector.
Artificial intelligence: the new university challenge
Del Villar dedicated a central segment of his speech to the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), describing it as "a transformative force comparable to electricity or the printing press."
He announced the creation of INTEC Artificial Intelligence Center (CIA-INTEC)which will function as "the brain of our transformation" and will drive solutions for sectors such as health, agriculture, energy and transportation, he said.
Three transformations towards INTEC 2030
The rector explained that the strategic lines that will guide his term will be the “"Revolution in Learning" by promoting the transition towards an active, challenge-based model focused on developing critical thinking skills;INTEC 5.0 – Augmented Campus”, through the intensive use of analytics to personalize the student experience and anticipate risks, and “Sustainability and Freedom”. ’s relationship with the The objective is to create an INTEC 2030 Heritage Fund, which will strengthen scholarships and ensure institutional growth.
Legacy and evolution
Del Villar paid a heartfelt tribute to the late rector Julio Sanchez Marinez, in announcing that he will propose the creation of Innovation and Development Center “Dr. Julio Sánchez Maríñez”, a space for collaboration between academia and industry that permanently honors its vision.
His administration, he said, falls within what he called “Continuity with Evolution”, acknowledging the progress made by his predecessors while driving key transformations.
Swearing-in Ceremony
The ceremony was presided over by Rosalina Perdomo, president of the Board of Regents of INTEC; and by Alliet Ortega, vice-rector of Administration and Finance and interim rector of INTEC.
In her introductory remarks, the Chair of the Board of Regents noted that Del Villar's election reflects the university's "trust in his leadership, his vision, and his integrity."
He specified that as an INTEC graduate in Industrial Engineering, “you are familiar with effective processes for achieving the goals outlined in the institutional strategy. As a professor and former dean of the Engineering Area, you have experienced the dreams and needs of students as they navigate the different paths of their education, as well as the challenges faced by faculty. As Academic Vice-Rector, you have influenced and participated in recent achievements, recognitions, and accreditations, and you know very well the aspirations of this community.”
Perdomo maintained that the new rector's work will be guided by the values that distinguish INTEC: commitment to academic excellence, service, and a firm will to transform society through the products of academia: science, technology, and social commitment.
The swearing-in ceremony took place in the Auditorium of the Social Security Observatory at the university, with live broadcasts to several rooms on campus and was streamed live on the academy's YouTube channel.
Professional Profile
Arturo Del Villar is an industrial engineer, a graduate of INTEC, and holds an MBA with a concentration in Corporate Finance from Georgia State University. He has been a professor at INTEC since 2014 and served as Dean of the Engineering Department from 2015 to 2021. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Development Economics and International Development from Oglethorpe University. He also holds a specialization in Import/Export Business from Mercer University and a certification in Operations Research from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
He has served as Academic Vice-Rector of the university since 2021 and was Dean of the Engineering Department (2015-2018). He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Dominican Republic chapter of the World Energy Council; Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Marriott International in Doral, Florida (2012); and founder of Smart Grid Technologies, a consulting firm specializing in electrical sector projects in Ecuador, Panama, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Texas, and Florida (2010).
He is currently a member of the World Energy Council, an organization that promotes the supply and sustainable use of energy for the benefit of the entire population.