This is how INTEC's International Staff Week academic and cultural experience unfolded.

Now in its eighth year, participants from more than ten countries attended the exchange week, which included activities, talks, and a cultural experience on Saona Island.

Santo Domingo. - El Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) held the eighth edition of the International Staff Week, a week of academic and cultural exchange that brought together representatives of educational institutions from more than 10 countries, with the aim of strengthening strategic alliances, sharing best practices, and promoting the internationalization of higher education.

For five days, participants participated in a diverse program that included collaborative workshops, talks with international mobility experts, institutional project presentations, networking sessions, and visits to key campus spaces, reaffirming INTEC's commitment to fostering global relationships and innovation in university management.

The 22 attendees, from Croatia, Bulgaria, Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Spain, Turkey, Romania, and Poland, enjoyed a unique experience and learned how higher education is promoted through INTEC.

 Among the conferences attended were "Digital Innovations in the Dominican Republic," given by Armando José Manzueta Peña, Vice Minister of Innovation and Technology of the Ministry of Public Administration; "Building and Leading an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem at INTEC" by Chantal Valdez, head of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at INTEC; "INTEC Initiatives for STEM Education" by Leslie Canalda; and "Dominican-Style Spanish," led by Social Sciences and Humanities professors Sabine María and Dany Parra.

 Melvin Aslin, representative of the European Union Delegation to the Dominican Republic, also shared information on the actions and projects currently underway.

 Lorina Culic, a professor in the Department of Communication, Public Relations, and Advertising at Babes Bolyai University in Romania, commented that it has been a very pleasant experience. “This is my second time at INTEC. I came here four years ago as a researcher, and now I'm here as a professor. So my interests have changed over time, and for us, this is a great opportunity to collaborate with INTEC and the Mobility team,” she said.

He recounted that one of his favorite experiences was spending time with Alfredo Padrón, coordinator of the Social Communication and Digital Media program at INTEC, with whom he had the opportunity to converse in his native language, as the professor studied in his country during his early years of training.

 Juan Manuel Chávez, director of the Communications degree program at the University of the Middle Atlantic, Spain, said, "International mobility here is imbued with a lot of hospitality, a lot of work behind the scenes. Everything has been very entertaining, and there's absolute concern that each of us feels cared for, that our needs are met, and, in addition, we take away valuable knowledge about the Dominican Republic and our participating colleagues."

 Throughout the week, participants had the opportunity to engage in private meetings with students and representatives from INTEC, including seminars, presentations, and lectures on various university courses. The visitors also shared information about the universities they represent, their projects, and their vision for the future of Higher Education in their respective countries.

 As part of the agenda, participants in this meeting offered tastings of desserts from their countries during the traditional sweets tasting with INTEC students.

The week concluded with the cultural visit to Saona Island, located in Cotubanamá National Park and renowned for its pristine white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and marine biodiversity. This natural paradise offered participants an immersion in the ecological and cultural richness of the Dominican Republic, providing a perfect opportunity to connect in a relaxed atmosphere and share reflections on the week's lessons.

Since its inception, INTEC's International Staff Week has established itself as a leading space for the exchange of ideas, strengthening international networks, and promoting the country as a quality academic destination. This eighth year reaffirms that vision, adding new experiences, collaborations, and transformative experiences for all attendees.