Santo Domingo. –
In such a competitive world, mastery of foreign languages is a gateway to multiple employment, social and economic opportunities. Thanks to the arrival of the Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano (ICDA) to the Dominican Republic more than seven decades ago, English language teaching is gaining more and more ground.
Under this premise, Dario Lama, president of the Board of Directors of ICDA, said, in the framework of the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of this institution of higher education, that throughout these years it has delivered to the country more than three million Dominicans trained in English and other areas of knowledge.
“Our mark on Dominican society is very deep, the same that has been the result of quality work, of proven dedication and commitment and of a constant process of growth, development and expansion,” emphasized Lama.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors recalled how since its arrival in 1947, through the teaching of English and the culture of the United States, it has transformed the lives of hundreds of citizens, when the country barely had two million inhabitants.
“As an educational institution we have great challenges and our real great achievement will always be the transformation of the lives of many Dominicans through education,” said Lama, thanking all the administrative and teaching staff for their commitment.
The event included the presentation of the ICDA’s 75th Anniversary documentary, an audiovisual presentation highlighting the institution’s transcendence from its beginnings to the present, combining history with the experiences of graduates and teachers. The occasion was an opportunity to recognize the Embassy of the United States for its immense support and accompaniment during all these years. The organization also recognized the praiseworthy work of Mr. Arthur Valdez, member of the ICDA Board of Directors. Also, Mr. Ever Curiel, second VP of Software Quality Assurance at Banco BHD León, was honored as an outstanding graduate of our university; and Julissa Gómez, as the longest-serving professor at UNICDA.
Administrative and teaching staff of the Language School, the Domínico Americano School and the Domínico Americano Preschool were also recognized for their years of service, as well as outstanding graduates of the institution.
Since its foundation, the evolution of the ICDA has been constant, and our university has been part of this development. In 1989, after exhausting a rigorous evaluation process, the technicians of the Consejo Nacional de Educación Superior (CONES), concluded that the project presented by the institution to create an Institute of Higher Education, at the undergraduate level, was viable and consistent and, to that effect, the regulatory body of Dominican higher education recommended its approval to the central government.
Thus, by means of Decree No. 226 dated June 6, 1989, the institution acquired the authority to issue degrees at the Higher Technical level in the areas of: Computer Science, Tourism, Accounting, Business Administration, Education English Mention, and Bilingual Executive Secretariat.
With the transformation of the institution, more training opportunities were opened for the student population. In 2001, the Executive Power, through Decree No. 389-01, elevated the institution to the category of university and the Universidad Domínico Americano (UNICDA) was born, with an academic offer in undergraduate, graduate and continuing education with a wide range of diplomas and courses.
The Universidad Domínico Americano is proud and honored to be part of this successful story.
More about ICDA
Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano was founded in 1947 by a group of Dominicans and North Americans residing in the country, with the purpose of strengthening the bonds of friendship and culture between the United States of America and the Dominican Republic.
Since its foundation, it has been an institution that has always been at the forefront in educational services to the Dominican society, dominating the English language teaching market.
Currently, the institution has a wide range of academic and cultural offerings, including higher education: undergraduate, graduate, continuing education and the Teacher Development Center; school: primary and secondary; preschool education, for children from 2 years of age; language school, with an English as a second language program and a Spanish program for foreigners; the Cultural Department, which directs cultural programs and the School of Art and Culture; the Lincoln Library and the Student Advising Office.
