The Spotlight
Isidro Fierro
Rector, UEES
Ecuador's UEES champions deep internationalisation to foster global citizens and research excellence. President Isidro Fierro explains how to drive societal change and global influence.
Internationalisation is essential for UEES because it prepares students to become global citizens.
"Success in internationalisation is reflected in the university’s ability to act positively, even in the face of national or global challenges."
QS: Tell me about UEES, its history, its mission, student make-up.
The Universidad Espíritu Santo (UEES) began its academic activities in 1994 as a private, self-financed, non-profit institution. Since then, it has maintained a strong commitment to innovation and excellence, reflected in the quality of services offered to its community. Its mission is to serve society by creating learning environments that allow the holistic development of individuals capable of contributing to the country’s development through teaching, research and community engagement. The student body is diverse, combining local and international students, which strengthens a multicultural environment and fosters the formation of global citizens.
QS: Why is internationalisation important to UEES?
Internationalisation is essential for UEES because it prepares students to become global citizens capable of succeeding in a globalised world. It facilitates connections among students, faculty and researchers, promoting knowledge exchange and international collaboration, enriching the academic experience and enhancing the professional and cultural competencies of our community.
QS: How does UEES engage with internationalisation?
UEES engages with internationalisation through agreements with foreign universities, academic visits abroad, student and faculty mobility programs, dual degrees and the organisation of international conferences on campus. In 2025, we have hosted TEDxUEES, the International Innovatec 2025 Meeting, the 3rd International Congress of Dental Specialties and the 2nd Latin American Academic Conference on Law and Technology: Artificial Intelligence, Ethics and Responsibility. Additionally, UEES co-hosted QS Americas in Mexico (2024) and Buenos Aires (2025) and actively contributed to other QS events with academic presentations.
Students participate in international academic experiences such as the Hult Summer Business Bootcamp, the NASA Houston Space Center, the University of Texas and the El Ojo de Iberoamérica festival. UEES also hosts international doctoral students for academic internships. Faculty members actively engage in international academic networks, conferences and symposia, and produce joint publications with foreign researchers, strengthening the university’s global presence.
QS: There are emerging ways of engaging in internationalisation, particularly around collaboration and clusters. Can you speak more to how clusters are currently helping in this area?
Internationalisation through clusters opens doors to new opportunities and allows the creation of academic and research clusters that enhance our capacity to influence globally. These clusters, integrating universities, governments, industries and civil society, become engines of change, building collaborative ecosystems that benefit the entire community.
The impact of clusters is evident in the close collaboration between the academic and business sectors. A key example is the EUREKA Entrepreneurship Center, which develops entrepreneurial competencies, skills and attitudes across the university community. Through mentorships, joint projects and international academic visits, EUREKA strengthens an entrepreneurship ecosystem based on challenge-based learning, connecting academic theory with global business practice.
In research, for example, projects such as Atahualpa, led by Dr Óscar Del Brutto, act as true scientific clusters, bringing together universities, research centres and international experts around common goals. Focused on neurological diseases in rural Ecuadorian communities, this project has established long-term alliances with institutions in Europe and North America, promoting knowledge exchange, joint publications and training opportunities for young researchers, thereby strengthening UEES’s capacity to generate global impact through collaboration.
QS: What does success in internationalisation look like?
Success in internationalisation is reflected in the university’s ability to act positively, even in the face of national or global challenges. A strong institutional identity not only attracts international students but also communicates our history, values, culture and contributions with clarity and conviction. This allows UEES to be recognised and remembered globally as a place where knowledge transforms lives and where education has a purpose beyond the classroom, generating tangible benefits for society.
QS: A common observation is that often overarching activities can further the institution, but potentially leave behind certain stakeholders. How are students and staff brought along in this journey?
To ensure that all members of the university community benefit from internationalisation, UEES implements multiple inclusion strategies. International conferences are held on campus, along with activities such as Intercultural Day, involving students, faculty and staff from all academic units, promoting cultural exchange and global learning. The university also offers conferences and workshops led by international experts, both in-person and online, ensuring that everyone has access to international experiences and knowledge. Students also participate in international challenges, offered both on campus and online, which provide meaningful opportunities to engage and showcase their skills within the university environment. These initiatives allow students, faculty and administrative staff to participate actively, ensuring that institutional progress is accompanied by collective development across the entire community.
What do you see as the future with clusters and internationalisation?
The internationalisation of knowledge will continue to expand academic and research opportunities. Clusters, by integrating universities, governments, industries and civil society, will act as engines of change, building sustainable collaborative ecosystems, enhancing UEES’s ability to influence the world and generating a positive societal impact.