The new ITLA president concluded by saying that his commitment to students goes beyond providing them with technical knowledge, as he will train them to become integral leaders with solid ethical values, leadership skills and a strong sense of social responsibility.
The new rector of the Technological Institute of the Americas (ITLA), Rafael Jesús Féliz García, took office on the morning of Monday, July 22, after a formidable swearing-in ceremony by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCYT), Franklin García Fermín, in the Auditorium of the Prof. Erich Kunhardt Library of that academy of studies.
Under decree number 385-24, Professor Rafael Féliz García was appointed by President Luis Abinader as the rector of the Technological Institute of the Americas (ITLA), during the public announcement made by the nation’s president through his social networks, on the afternoon of July 17.
Franklin García Fermín, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCYT), during the swearing-in ceremony highlighted the career academic and professional of Rafael J. Feliz García, and wished him success in a management that will be important for the development of an entire nation.
In his speech, the new head of the ITLA He expressed his gratitude to President Luis Abinader for always valuing his academic profile and experience in public management, and that his arrival at the Technological Institute of the Americas represents an honor and a continuation of the commitment to broaden the spectrum of student and professional development opportunities for young Dominican students.
“Today, as I assume this responsibility, I pledge to continue and expand this legacy, working tirelessly to further raise the standards of excellence and quality of our institution, betting on innovation in teaching and learning; research and development; international recognition and modernization and quality investment,” said the new rector of ITLA, Rafael Féliz García.
In his central words at the swearing-in ceremony, Rafael Féliz continued saying that as part of institutional strengthening, his administration will efficiently invest resources in the modernization of the facilities of ITLA and in the creation of spaces that encourage collaboration and innovation, “ensuring that each investment contributes directly to improving the quality of education and the well-being of our students,” said Féliz García.
*Professional academic training quality and priority of integrity*
Rafael Féliz concluded by saying that his commitment to students goes beyond providing them with technical knowledge. “We are going to train comprehensive leaders, with solid ethical values, leadership skills and a strong sense of social responsibility.
He stressed that he will promote the development of skills softparticipation in extracurricular activities and volunteering, ensuring that graduates are not only excellent professionals, but also citizens committed to the well-being of their community and their country, said the rector of ITLA.
Present at the swearing-in ceremony were various personalities from the central government, local authorities and from important universities, among them it is worth mentioning, José Cancel, Administrative and Financial Vice Minister MESCyT, José Holguín, Vice Minister of the Presidency, Pedro Pablo Castro, Academic Vice-Rector of ITLA, Rafael Santos Badía, director of INFOTEP; Nelson Arroyo, Executive Director of INDOTEL; José Aybar, chancellor of UNICARIBE
General Ovalle, rector of UNADE, Ramón Sosa, rector of UNICDA, Ricardo Winter, rector of UPID, among other personalities.
*More about Rafael J. Féliz García, rector of the Technological Institute of the Americas (ITLA)*.
Sociologist and professor Rafael J. Féliz García, known as Ninito, became the youngest of all the ministers in the current government and in the entire history of the Dominican Republic, being appointed Minister of Youth at only 25 years of age in December 2021.
Graduated with honors in Sociology from the Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, where he currently works as a professor in the Department of Sociology in the general sociology chair since 2018.
He holds a Master’s degree in Caribbean Studies from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra and is a graduate of the Leadership Program for Public Management at Barna Management School and the Public Leadership Program: Imperatives of Service and Management at IESE Business School of the University of Navarra. He is also a polyglot, speaking and writing four languages: English, French, Portuguese and Spanish. He is a consultant for several national and international social research projects on politics, culture and youth, where he has also participated in representing the country in dozens of events worldwide.
Rafael Féliz García is the holder of the youngest decree in all of Dominican history, with the appointment in August 2020 by President Luis Abinader as Vice-Rector of Linkage and Extension of the Instituto Técnico Superior Comunitario (ITSC) in San Luis, the only community college in the Dominican Republic, where he worked hard to articulate academia with society, thus achieving the labor insertion of hundreds of young people in vulnerable conditions, from popular sectors throughout the country.
He is the national coordinator of the youth political movement with the greatest activism and national presence, Jóvenes Unidos por el Cambio, during both electoral campaigns of the current constitutional president, Luis Abinader. Additionally, Féliz is the president of the JRM in the National District. He has stood out for occupying different leadership positions in organizations and social movements since his adolescence, such as Secretary of Sports and Recreation of the “La Multitud” Movement (2010-2014), Secretary of Student Welfare, Association of Sociology Students (UASD) (2015-2018); and Secretary of International Relations, Fuerza Juvenil Dominicana (UASD) (2015-2018), thus developing strong social activism.
Féliz stands out for her leadership and motivation for social demonstrations, such as her activism in the Loma Miranda National Park processes (2014), Green March (2017), Plaza de la Bandera Demonstration (2020), among many others.
In addition to his solid academic training and his role as a teacher, he also has several other characteristics, such as being a professional announcer who graduated from the National School of Announcement Prof. Otto Rivera. He has been a commentator on radio and television programs such as “Esto no tiene nombre con Roberto Cavada” and “ Usted tiene la palabra”. Furthermore, he was a high-performance athlete in the discipline of taekwondo. Additionally, he ventured into the real estate world as Chief Operating Officer (COO) in the family business, Felga inmobiliaria, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of @NomadasRD.
He has received numerous awards, including the Pan-American Flight Medal from the Civil Aviation Board (JAC) of the Dominican Republic in 2024. In that same year, he was awarded the honorary sash and plaque, recognizing him as a reference in public policies regarding youth and entrepreneurship by the International Youth Organization for Ibero-America. In 2022, he was recognized by the Mayor’s Office of the National District as an outstanding young man for his community contributions and political life.
In addition, she has had extensive experience representing the Dominican Republic and participating in various high-level international settings, including: The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) 2024 Youth Forum, New York, United States, in the discussion Youth that Transforms: Tools for a Successful Career, Institute of Dominicans Abroad (Panama in 2024), technical meeting of the Extended Board of Directors of the International Youth Organization (OIJ). (New York, United States, in 2023), International Forum on ICT Technologies, within the framework of the LAC ICT Talent Summit 2023. Bogotá, Colombia in 2023, European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean Forum, debate on the “New Policy of the 21st Century”. Brussels, Belgium in 2023, at the second Summit for Democracy, held in Costa Rica in 2023.
She was also present at the following international meetings: the 11th World Forum of Youth Ministers, which took place in South Korea in 2023, the ALAS Latin American Sociology Congress (Lima, Peru in 2019), the University Festival of Folklore Dances “Dejando Huella” of the University of Valle de Cali, in Colombia in 2021, the Latin American Student Congress (Caracas, Venezuela in 2019), the High-Level debate at the United Nations: improving the mainstreaming of the youth approach in crime prevention policies, in New York, United States in 2022; the IV National Youth Conference in Brasilia, Brazil in 2023, and the World Summit on Political Communication. Medellín, Colombia in 2023, exchange of experiences with the council of Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain in 2022, academic exchange at the University of Pennsylvania, UPENN, United States in 2017, at the Latin American Congress of Sociology ALAS, Montevideo, Uruguay in 2017 and at the Julio Antonio Mella International Camp, CIJAM, Artemisa, Cuba in 2013.
