IGLOBAL celebrates two decades of promoting high-level academic training in the Dominican Republic
The Global Institute of Higher Studies in Social Sciences (IGLOBAL) commemorated its twentieth anniversary by reaffirming its commitment to educational excellence. The event was led by the former President of the Republic and President of the institution’s Board of Regents, Leonel Fernández, who highlighted the positive impact this academic institution has had on the professional development and specialization of human talent in the country.
From its inception, IGLOBAL’s vision was clear: to democratize access to world-class education. Fernández recalled that the institution was born under the premise that, given the impossibility of all Dominican youth being able to move abroad to pursue postgraduate studies, it was necessary to bring international knowledge directly to the Dominican Republic through strategic alliances.
Since not everyone can go abroad to study, let those from abroad come to the Dominican Republic. That vision allowed for the establishment of academic ties in the United States, Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and other countries, bringing international professors, programs, and academic experiences to the country.
Leonel Fernández, President of the IGLOBAL Board of Regents
Institutional achievements and reach
For her part, the rector of IGLOBAL, Josefina Pimentel, presented a detailed balance of the institution’s trajectory, highlighting figures that reflect its growth and national relevance:
- 1,630 professionals graduated from postgraduate programs (master’s and doctoral degrees).
- More than 9,000 people trained through short programs and specialized seminars.
- Consolidation of a cooperation network with more than 50 higher education institutions and research centers globally.
Pimentel emphasized that the graduates of this institution currently hold key positions in the structure of the State and the private sector, including senators, high court judges, diplomats, ministers, and prominent jurists. Among the figures mentioned for their academic trajectory at the institute are the prosecutor Yeni Berenice Reynoso, Supreme Court of Justice judge Namphi Rodríguez, and the Ombudsman, Pablo Ulloa, among others.
Towards the future: Innovation and social sciences
IGLOBAL not only celebrates its past, but also prepares for the challenges of the digital age. Leonel Fernández underscored the importance of keeping social sciences and humanities alive in an environment where technology dominates the global agenda. In this sense, the institution is integrating cutting-edge areas into its academic offerings such as:
- Artificial intelligence.
- New educational trends.
- Energy and digital transition.
- Synthetic biology.
The commemoration was attended by prominent figures from the academic and governmental spheres, including the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Rafael Santos Badía, and various university rectors, reaffirming IGLOBAL as a fundamental pillar for research, plurality of thought, and the development of Dominican intellectual capital.
