INTEC promotes STEM careers during Manufacturing Summit 2025
During the panel “Closing the Gap: STEM as a key to Industrial Development” of the Manufacturing Summit 2025, the rector of INTEC revealed that 49% of university students study STEM careers
SANTO DOMINGO. - The Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) presented its initiatives to promote careers oriented towards Science, Technology, Engineering y Maths (STEM) during the Manufacturing Summit 2025, which include specialized scholarships and an experiential educational program at the secondary sector level.
During the activity, the rector of the university, Julio Sánchez Maríñez, stated that around 49% of students from INTEC studies STEM careers. He highlighted that at INTEC 45% of the students are in the Engineering Area, and if this is added to Among those studying Basic and Environmental Sciences, such as Biochemistry and Biotechnology, the total number of students in STEM programs at the university is around 49%.
"The mission of this rector of INTEC is that in the next two years we have 55% of our students in these areas (Engineering and Basic and Environmental Sciences), that requires us, the support of MESCYT and the private sector," he said during his speech. the panel “Closing the Gap: STEM as a key to Industrial Development”, developed within the framework of the Manufacturing Summit 2025.
The event organized by the Electrical and Electronic Devices Cluster (CDEE), of la Dominican Association of Free Zones (ADOZONE), brought together key players in the global manufacturing sector along with some 50 local institutions and companies to promote technological innovation and training.
During his presentation, the rector of INTEC indicated that, as a pending task, there is the increase in the enrollment of women in STEM careers, a commitment that the university has assumed in coordination with several local companies, through the INTEC scholarship program with Outstanding Students (PIES).
The secret of INTEC's success
Referring to the high demand for INTEC graduates in the labor market, Sánchez Maríñez said that the secret of this success has been “not having borders with the private sector or the government sector.”
“Each INTEC program has an advisory committee made up of representatives from the private sector and graduates as well as other personalities. Each dean has an advisory committee that looks at another level, and as rector I have a business advisory committee. This has allowed us to fine-tune the offer based on the real needs of the private sector and the government sector,” said Sánchez Maríñez.
Within the framework of the event, the “Launch of STEM Report in the Dominican Republic: Education for Innovation and Growth”, led by the Vice Minister of Free Trade Zones and Special Regimes, Johannes Kelner. Later, a panel was held which also included Paula Disla, Vice Minister of International Relations of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCYT); Kissy Bisonó, member of the Human Talent Technical Committee of the ADOZONA Cluster; and Pedro Pablo Castro, Academic Vice Chancellor of the Technological Institute of the Americas (ITLA).
The Manufacturing Summit 2025 was attended by companies, educational institutions and experts from the sector with the aim of strengthening the local industry, facilitating the transfer of knowledge and encouraging investment in the country.
INTEC is characterized by the triple helix collaboration between the State, the private sector and the Academy, with the aim of contributing to the training of professionals better qualified to face the problems of greatest impact on society. Among the initiatives mentioned by the rector in his speech during the panel, is the Concentration in Medical Device Manufacturing, an academic option project that is part of the Industrial Engineering degree and is developed in coordination with the ADOZONA Medical Devices Cluster.
The concentration has enabled the training of more than 300 graduates and the first “Recognition to the Academy”, awarded by ADOZONA to INTEC for its contribution to the training of specialized talent and its commitment to quality education in STEM areas.