Spanish
SANTANDER, Spain. – Doctor Franklin García Fermín, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCyT), of the Dominican Republic, received the Medal of Merit from the European University of the Atlantic, in recognition of his work in projecting and internationalizing the Dominican university system in Latin America.
The ceremony took place during the opening ceremony of the academic institution's school year, with the presence of Dr. Rubén Calderón Iglesias, rector of the Universidad Europea del Atlántico; Dr. Santos Gracia Villar, president of FUNIBER; Mr. Jesús Peña Cajigas, general secretary; Dr. Rosalía Sosa, vice-rector of Extension of the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD) and the Administrative and Financial Vice Minister of MESCyT, licenciado José Antonio Cancel, as well as distinguished members of the Rectoral Council, academics and students.
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In delivering his thank-you speech, Minister García Fermín expressed his deep satisfaction with the distinction, highlighting that the medal constitutes a symbol of recognition not only for his personal career, but also for education, science, culture, and public service in the Dominican Republic.
"This medal is not only an award; it is, above all, a symbol of trust from a prestigious academic institution, which places in me a recognition that transcends the person and becomes a tribute to education, science, culture, and public service," he stated. During his speech, García Fermín evoked his grandparents, parents, teachers, and the community that shaped his education, emphasizing that knowledge is always a shared construction. "Nobody advances alone. The path of knowledge is always shared. We are what we are because others, before us, lent us a hand, showed us the horizon and encouraged us not to falter," he expressed. The MESCyT head reiterated that this recognition equally honors those who have accompanied him in his academic, family, and professional life, and highlighted the transformative role of higher education in building more just and prosperous societies. He concluded with a message of inspiration: "Human progress is a collective construction, the result of the heritage, collaboration, and example of those who came before us. This medal will always be a reminder that higher education not only trains professionals, but also inspires destinies and transforms societies." With this recognition, the Universidad Europea del Atlántico highlights the career of Dr. García Fermín, whom Rector Calderón Iglesias defined as "a renowned jurist and academic who has made great contributions in favor of higher education in the Dominican Republic."
