Leonel Fernández questions possible merger of MESCyT with Minerd and proposes modernization of UASD

Santo Domingo. – Former President of the Republic, Leonel Fernández, expressed his rejection of the possibility that the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCyT) be merged with the Ministry of Education (Minerd), considering that such a measure could affect the functioning of the Dominican education system. Fernández maintained that both ministries fulfill distinct roles within the structure of the education system, therefore an administrative integration would not be convenient in the current context of the country. During a meeting with representatives from the university sector, the political leader also stated that higher education should be maintained with institutional autonomy and oriented towards a deeper transformation process. In that sense, the former president defended the need to promote a modernization of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), with a view to strengthening its academic and technological projection in the coming decades.

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Fernández explained that higher education in the 21st century should focus on the development of knowledge, research, and innovation, with greater integration of digital tools and international collaboration. Likewise, he proposed that UASD move towards a more global model, with a greater virtual presence and connection with universities and academic centers in other regions of the world. The political leader also took the opportunity to criticize the current performance of the education system, pointing out that it still faces structural weaknesses that require priority attention. The meeting brought together teachers, students, and representatives from different university areas, who discussed the future of higher education in the country and the challenges of its modernization.