INTEC appoints Altagracia López as its Professor Emeritus

SANTO DOMINGO. - Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) recognized its former rector, Altagracia López Ferreiras, with the title of Professor Emeritus in honor of her dedication to academic work spanning more than 40 years, where she distinguished herself as a teacher of generations and a manager of various institutional bodies.

The distinction, contemplated in resolution 20250311-06 of the Academic Council, was Awarded as part of the activities for the 2025 Colmena Merit Week celebration. The event was led by Rosalina Perdomo, President of the Board of Regents; Alliet Ortega, Interim Rector; the university's Academic Council; and former rectors and Emeritus Professors.

After the investiture, López Ferreiras gave a keynote address, In this speech, he highlighted the ethical and social responsibility of teachers in a world marked by technological change and artificial intelligence. He argued that teachers must take a leading role in developing critical and supportive citizens, capable of coexisting with technology without losing their human essence.

"At a time when the rapid advance of science and technology, combined with digital transformation and the development of generative artificial intelligence, demands significant transformations in higher education institutions, the role of the teaching staff is being redefined," he stated. López Ferreiras, upon receiving the title of Professor Emeritus of INTEC.

The first woman elected as rector of INTEC (2002-2005), also proposed that faculty leadership must be based on three pillars: ethics, academic excellence, and humanism. “In the face of the fascination with digital technology and generative artificial intelligence, or the pressure for productivity, faculty must safeguard integrity, justice, and equity in every academic decision,” he stated, noting that ethics contributes to ensuring that the use of technology is responsible, fair, and respectful of human dignity.

Regarding academic excellence, he maintained that it should be understood not only as intellectual rigor and good academic performance, but also as the ability to connect knowledge with the real problems of society, fostering a commitment to continuous improvement.

Regarding humanism, he indicated that teacher leadership is expressed in the ability to support students in their comprehensive development, creating spaces where critical thinking, creativity, social sensitivity, and commitment to the common good flourish.

López Ferreiras thanked INTEC for being a space for her professional and personal growth, and for maintaining a university culture oriented toward serving the country. "Here, I have experienced education as a life mission and an opportunity to serve society," she said emotionally at the event held in the INTEC Social Security Observatory Auditorium.

Interim Rector Alliet Ortega emphasized that the title of Professor Emeritus is one of the highest honors the university bestows, reserved for those who have shaped generations with their example and academic leadership.

Ortega noted that the distinction awarded to Dr. López Ferreiras not only embodies an exemplary career, but also a life dedicated to educational, institutional, and human transformation.

Miguel Escala, former rector of INTEC and the university's first Professor Emeritus, was in charge of reading the biography of the honoree, in which he stated: "Altagracia was a gift to INTEC in the Hermanas Mirabal province."

He said that López Ferreira has lived a life dedicated to knowledge, to the training of new generations, to building a better INTEC and, consequently, a better country.

Meanwhile, the reading of the resolution of the Academic Council was in charge of the   Academic Vice-Rector, Arturo del Villar.

The Professor Emeritus award is granted to INTEC professors who have distinguished themselves in exceptionally significant ways throughout their careers for their extraordinary contributions to the academic progress and prestige of the university, and whose academic work has established them as a paradigm or model for others.

María Altagracia López Ferreiras

She was born in the municipality of Tenares, in the Hermanas Mirabal province. She is the daughter of Segismundo López Amarante and Antonia Ferreiras Lantigua, the second of ten siblings. She has two children, Luis Fernando and Patricia Marie, and four grandchildren.

In 1968, she graduated as a primary teacher at what is now the Emilio Prud'Homme campus of the Salome Ureña Higher Institute for Teacher Training (ISFODOSU). At the same time, she completed a bachelor's degree in mathematics. She then began teaching at the Dominican School of La Salle. She earned two bachelor's degrees from Pedro Henríquez Ureña University: Education with a focus on mathematics and Pure Mathematics.

In 1978, she joined INTEC as a professor and later held various positions: Mathematics Coordinator; Director of the Preparatory Cycle; Dean of the Department of Sciences and Humanities; Academic Vice-Rector for 14 years; and the first woman to hold the position of rector, from 2002 to 2005.

She was director of the Center for Innovation in Higher Education (CINNES-INTEC). From 2020 to 2024, she was a member of the Governing Council of the International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (IESALC-UNESCO), the Academic Council of the International Institute for Quality Assurance (IAC), the Interuniversity Development Center (CINDA), and the Board of Directors of the Regional Engineering Accreditation System in the Greater Caribbean (GCREAS).

In 2023, he received the "Teaching Excellence" award, granted by the Government on Teachers' Day. In 2014, he received the Dr. José Tola Pasquel Medal of Academic Merit from CINDA.

Together with his family, he promotes the Sembradores de Esperanza Foundation, which provides support to malnourished children and older adults living in poverty.

The event brought together university officials, colleagues, students, and family members, who paid tribute to an educator who has left an indelible mark on the history of INTEC and on the training of professionals committed to the country.

In addition to López Ferrerias, INTEC has distinguished as Emeritus Professors Miguel Escala, Lucero Arboleda de Roa, Leticia Mendoza, Raymundo Jiménez y José Agustín de Miguel.