Founded in 1994, UPS has recorded a remarkable growth in academic programs and infrastructures at the national level, consolidating itself as a point of reference for innovation and the digital transformation of higher education. Moreover, faithful to its Salesian charism, from its origins it has stood out for its attention to the holistic formation of its students through a diversified academic offer.
Today, UPS has approximately 100 academic programs spread across in-person degree programs, in-person and online postgraduate programs, doctorates, online programs, hybrid programs, and higher technologies. This growth has not only increased the number of students enrolled, but has also strengthened its presence in several international rankings, affirming UPS as one of the best-positioned universities in the country.
The solemn ceremony began with the words of welcome of the Rector of the University, Fr Juan Cárdenas Tapia, who said: "UPS's mission has always been clear: to train professionals who are integral, practical, human, moral, with scientific and ethical thinking. The university has understood that education goes beyond the simple transmission of knowledge, but is a tool for social transformation. For this reason, it has aimed to connect science and technology with the solution of the country's main social problems, promoting research and innovation as fundamental pillars of its offering."
In addition, he added, "today we celebrate our achievements, which are many, but we also praise the work of each of those who have participated in the construction of this dream: thanks to each of you, a promising future awaits us. And in line with the words of Pope Francis, we remember the past with gratitude, we look to the present with passion and we face the future always with hope."
During the ceremony, tribute was paid to the founders of the university and the work of the professors and administrative staff who have been part of the university community since it began. To accompany this growth, UPS has also made important investments in infrastructure. The expansion of the Cuenca, Quito and Guayaquil campuses involves the construction of modern buildings, laboratories equipped with cutting-edge technologies and living spaces that promote the integration of the academic community.
Innovation has not been limited to the academic world. The UPS has developed multiple research projects and links with society, in collaboration with national and international institutions, reaffirming the university's commitment to social development.
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of a commemorative video that illustrated the most important milestones of these three decades.
Finally, Fr Marcelo Farfán, Provincial of the Salesians in Ecuador, and Fr Cárdenas, underlining the importance of this event and the results obtained in these three decades of commitment to Salesian education, unveiled a commemorative plaque, and the choir of the Quito branch of UPS offered a cultural performance that excited those present.
Finally, it should be noted that on the same day before, on 7 August, the National Assembly of Ecuador had awarded the UPS the "Dr. Vicente Rocafuerte of the National Assembly of the Republic of Ecuador" award for educational merits, thus highlighting the role of the Salesian institution as a pillar of higher education and underlining the contribution of its authorities, its teachers and its students to national research and innovation.
Source: Salesianos.org.ec
https://www.infoans.org/en/component/k2/item/21900#sigProId5f313bb1cf
