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Opportunities to Study Abroad In Ecuador 

 
Nicole Jironza Santana 

 
Universidad del Pacífico, Ecuador 

 
Abstract 

 
Fifty years ago, studying abroad for Ecuadorian people was something 
completely unrealistic. This could be due to the fact that learning another 
language was unattainable for the generation of our grandparents and 
parents (forty to sixty years old) and the need to expand knowledge of other 
cultures was not considered important. Today, the trend is different. The 
objective of this research is to show the different opportunities that Ecuador 
offers to students for study abroad, and to let the students who want to study 
in universities worldwide know about these opportunities.  

 
Introduction 

 
Approximately fifty years ago, studying abroad for Ecuadorian people was unthinkable 
and something that probably didn't appear realistic, like a dream that would never be 
fulfilled. Even just the thought of learning another language was illogical and difficult to 
understand for the generation of our parents and grandparents (approximately 
generations starting from the 40s). Their parents simply considered it unnecessary and 
this is because education was limited and the need to broaden their horizons was not 
considered important. Nowadays, that situation has changed because globalization has 
allowed the world to relate to each other by providing more opportunities to anyone who 
wants to know and learn. This is a great option used by many Ecuadorians.  Beforehand, 
similar to the rest of the world, only people with vast economic resources had access to 
quality education outside of Ecuador. Only a few people had the opportunity to travel 
abroad and meet people, expose themselves to new experiences and learn different 
cultures. 
 
Ecuador was considered an underdeveloped country, not only because of the lack of 
advanced technology that the developed world enjoyed, but also by the very limited 
education opportunities and the lack of resources to acquire them.  There were no 
networks between Ecuador and the world. Ecuador was not on the “radar” of many 
countries although there were economic agreements with other countries like the United 
States but they never set up cultural exchange agreements. There were agencies to 
assist with the ease of scholarships, especially for students from low, lower-middle and 
middle socioeconomic status although everything was very hierarchical. Now everything 
has changed. 

 
 

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History and Education 
 

Eight years ago, when the government of current President Rafael Correa began, he 
amended the Ecuadorian Constitution by including the need to improve education by 
broadening horizons and social justice where everyone is entitled to all, regardless of 
race, ethnicity or economic status and that's how Ecuador began to wake up, to improve, 
and be known to the world. There was a specific goal: to improve the production model. 
His reasoning was that if Ecuadorians acquired and used their improved knowledge within 
the country, the production model would change almost entirely. This would allow 
Ecuador to no longer be an underdeveloped country and to become a developing country. 
As a result, teachers enhanced their knowledge inside as well as outside the country, 
new schools were created, assessed the level of universities, new organizations helped 
students to get scholarships and 4 universities of technology were created. The President 
Rafael Correa began with the implementation of social justice, then proceeded with the 
creation of two institutions that would evaluate educational institutions such as 
SENESCYT institutions and IECE were created to annually grant scholarships to students 
twice a year according to their needs. 
 
SENESCYT (Secretary of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation): 
SENESCYT is a government organization that is responsible for evaluating the academic 
progress of students and educational institutions (schools, colleges, universities) 
(http://www.senescyt.gob.ec/). They are personally responsible to assess knowledge and 
apply full funding scholarships abroad. 
 
IECE (Ecuadorian Institute of Educational Credit): IECE is a government enterprise that 
provides loans and grants to students who wish to study abroad and do not have money 
for it (http://www.iece.fin.ec). Depending on the scholarship and the country where they 
want to travel to, they will provide funding, whether partial or total, and even award 
scholarships to study at language schools both within and outside the country. 
 

Millennium Schools 
 

The creation of millennium universities (http://educacion.gob.ec/unidades-educativas-
del-milenio/) allows the study of technological sciences for the country's development, 
e.g., sciences as Nanotechnology, Petrochemical, Biosciences, Software Engineering, 
among others, which are the disciplines that have been well received. The investment in 
them is great in order to change the production matrix in the country.  Within the 
Millennium Schools, there are 2 classes. 
 
Colleges 
 
With the help of foreign countries, nowadays the "millennium schools" are schools with 
technology, equipped laboratories of chemistry, physics, computers, classrooms with 
smart boards, synthetic pitches, canteens, among others (Figures 1 and 2). 

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Figure 1. Classroom at a millennium school (skyscrapercity.com) 
 

 

 
Figure 2. Millennium school (skyscrapercity.com) 
 

 
Universities 
 
Universities where Research, Science, Technology and Innovation are present. These 
universities are: YACHAY: Known as the “City of knowledge”, its purpose is to research 
new technologies including the generation and dissemination of scientific knowledge 
(http://www.educacionsuperior.gob.ec/yachay/). It includes the construction of a 

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university model as a city - the first university town in Ecuador- with its own research 
laboratory and attracting foreign investors in high technology (Figure 3). 

 

 
 
Figure 3. “City of knowledge” (SOURCE: Ministry Coordinator of Production, 
Employment and Competitiveness) 

 
IKIAM:  Its main objective is to generate knowledge, research and information for use in 
the development of technological alternatives for the responsible use of natural resources 
fulfilling two expectations: strengthening the human talent and preserve the nature 
(http://www.amazoniactual.com/inicio/) (Figure 4). 
 

 
 
Figure 4. IKIAM (SOURCE: www.andes.info.ec) 
 
 

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UNAE: College for teachers, their purpose is to get the best teachers in the country 
(http://www.unae.edu.ec/La_Instit) (Figure 5). Its main goal is to contribute to the 
preparation of human resources in relation to the education system to build a just, free 
and democratic society. 

 

 
 

Figure 5. UNAE (SOURCE: www.educacion. gob.ec) 
 

UNIARTES: University of the Arts, the purpose is to promote the construction of 
dialogues, identities and intercultural artistic production 
(http://www.culturaypatrimonio.gob.ec/uniartes/) (Figure 6).  UniArtes was created for 
Ecuadorians to hone their talents in painting, etc. and can benefit from the art to make 
significant changes in society. 

 

 
 
Figure 6. UniArtes (SOURCE: www.culturaypatrimonio.gob.ec) 
 
 

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Agreements Between Countries 
 
Ecuador has educational agreements with over 70 countries worldwide 
(http://redbecarios.senescyt.gob.ec/) (Table 1), funding scholarships offered between 
Ecuador and other countries depending on the career, the duration and the university 
type. Previously, almost all scholarships were offered to the USA, but eventually Ecuador 
has opened ways to study all around the world. Scholarships are most applicable for 
Science and Technology to countries like China, Korea and many parts of Europe. There 
are different types of scholarships. 
 
Scholarships Common Globe 
 
Scholarships for study in higher education with high standards of academic quality at 
international level, with the aim of strengthening the Ecuadorian talent in various fields of 
knowledge (http://programasbecas.educacionsuperior.gob.ec/descripcion-del-programa-
8/). 
 
 
TABLE 1 
NETWORKS BETWEEN ECUADOR AND THE WORLD 
 COUNTRIES 

 
NORTH AMERICA Canada 

United States 
Mexico 
Puerto Rico 
 

CENTRAL AMERICA Guatemala 
Costa Rica 
jamaca 
Barbados 
Trinidad and Tobago 
Panama 
 

LATIN AMERICA Colombia 
Peru 
Bolivia 
Argentina 
Chile 
Uruguay 
Brazil 
 

EUROPE Germany 
Austria 
Belgium 

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Spain 
Switzerland 
Russia 
Italy 
Macedonia 
England 
Poland 
Hungary 
Finland 
Holland 
 

ASIA AND OCEANIA Turkey 
Singapore 
Malaysia 
Japan 
Israel 
India 
Egypt 
Korea 
China 
Indonesia 
Thailand 
Australia 
 

AFRICA Kenya 
Zimbabwe 
 

SOURCE: SENESCYT 

BY: NICOLE JIRONZA 
 
Universities of Excellence 
 
The Ministry of Education aims to provide scholarships to those who wish to study the 
upper level in the most prestigious institutions of higher education in the world, and best 
of all, this program does not have an age limit 
(http://programasbecas.educacionsuperior.gob.ec/descripcion-del-programa-
universidades-de-excelencia-2015/). 
 
Researchers Scholarships 
 
Finances fourth level studies in foreign universities that are part of research projects in 
universities, public polytechnics and research institutes in Ecuador 
(http://programasbecas.educacionsuperior.gob.ec/descripcion-investigadores-2015/). 
The goal is to train Ecuadorian researchers. 
 

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Teach English 
 
This scholarship was created for all Ecuadorians who want to be teachers of English or 
related to the improvement of English teaching activities 
(http://programasbecas.educacionsuperior.gob.ec/ensena-ingles/). The aim is to improve 
knowledge of the teacher and he learns new teaching methodologies. 
 
 
Scholarships University Teachers 
 
It aims to improve the professional skills of teachers and increase the academic level in 
universities, and thus transform the higher education system of the country with research 
centers (http://programasbecas.educacionsuperior.gob.ec/becas-para-docentes-
universitarios/). For main headline teacher, university teachers are obliged to get the PHD 
postgraduate degree in order to practice their profession and be dean of faculties or 
Rector as appropriate. 
 
Postdoctoral Scholarships 
 
This scholarship program allows all PHDs to strengthen its research capacity 
(http://programasbecas.educacionsuperior.gob.ec/becas-para-posdoctorado/). Usually, 
these scholarships are offered to PhDs who are contributing to the development of 
research and scientific production. 
 
Agencies Sponsoring Scholarships 
 

• UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization): 
Provides training abroad with partial funding. 

• OAS (Organization of American States): offers postgraduate studies and training 
in these areas (Table 2): 

• ONU (United Nations) offers postgraduate courses in different areas; the most 
common is for teachers, with total and partial funding. 

• ITTO (International Tropical Timber Organization). offers postgraduate courses in 
different areas, with total and partial funding 

• CYTED (Science and Technology for Development): offers postgraduate 
Research partially funded. 

• FULBRIGHT: offers postgraduate courses in different areas, the most common is 
for teachers, with total funding. 

• AECID (Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development): Provides 
training in Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Manufacturing and Innovation, 
Customs, Budgeting, Research and Planning, among others. With partial funding. 
  

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• DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst): offers postgraduate and doctoral 
programs, full and part-financing. 

• EU-LAC (EU-LAC Foundation): The type of study is research, with total funding. 
• RAE (Royal Spanish Academy): offers training, funding is partial. 

 
TABLE 2 
TRAINING AND POSTGRADUATES OF OAS 
 

Training  Telecommunications 
Entrepreneurship 
ISO 
Risk management 
Climate change 
Water Resources 
Ecotourism 
Technology 
Tourism 
Environmental impact 
Value chain 
Gender equality 
 

Total and partial funding 

Postgraduates FLACSO 
UNESCO-IHE 
VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT 
BRUSSEL (VUB) 
UNIVERSITY OF THE 
WEST INDIES 
UNIVERSITY OF 
MANCHESTER 
INTERNATIONAL 
INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL 
STUDIES (ISS) 
 

Total and partial funding 

SOURCE: SENESCYT, INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION “OAS” 

BY: NICOLE JIRONZA 
 
These are the institutions that provide with the sponsor of each scholarship offered; 
institutions have slowly been part of Ecuador's needs for study abroad is concerned. Each 
of these institutions offer support to better prepare Ecuadorian students, something 
important to stand out from all of them is the way in which the institutions can support 
either a full or partial scholarship. Sometimes, if you going directly to these organizations, 
you can get a lot faster grant, either by learning languages and cultures, to work or study; 
and in some cases even allow you to choose the time you want to study. With all these 
organizations to support education, as personal opinion, I think all those barriers that 

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bound our parents to study elsewhere are disappearing, and now we have opportunities 
we can take, just depends on you. 
 
International Baccalaureate 
 
This is a pedagogical-educational approach that seeks to prepare young graduates to live 
in a globalized and interconnected world (http://educacion.gob.ec/bachillerato-
internacional/). In other words, its purpose is to prepare students to recognize and 
understand this reality and have skills and knowledge to meet this challenge. This 
program takes about 2 years to complete. 
Nowadays, 17 schools are enrolled in this program, but so far nine already have the 
program and another 8 are in process. The International Baccalaureate Organization and 
their schools are present on five continents with more than 3500 schools. 
 
Embassies 
 
Embassies also provide scholarships with some offering full scholarships for financing 
either to study languages or higher degree studies. One of them is the Embassy of 
Taiwan, which provides full scholarships in language and higher degree studies. In 
addition, there are language schools that are associated with the embassies to provide 
full scholarships after the sixth level of study and with successful academic performance. 
One of the language schools in Ecuador is Siyuan, a School of Chinese - Mandarin. 
 

Discussion and Conclusion 
 

Through research conducted by universities, ministries, language schools and various 
embassies in Ecuador, it has been considered important to break these types of barriers 
for Ecuadorians. Since the government under the leadership of Rafael Correa began in 
2007, education qualifies as a fundamental aspect for strengthening and developing the 
country. In Ecuador, it has been through social justice that many organizations as 
SENESCYT and IECE were created to provide scholarships to good students. They 
created the International Baccalaureate in order to send high school graduates abroad. 
Also, embassies and language schools located in Ecuador offer scholarships. The 
financing depends on the institution and the type of study that students are going to 
pursue. Finally, the government has built four new universities called "cities of knowledge" 
in order to generate technological knowledge within the country to change the production 
model. Even with a small but relevant data set, “Ecuador is the country with comparatively 
more investment in education in relation to other countries to Latin America, with more 
than 9 billion dollars invested. In addition, President Rafael Correa continues to support 
this investment (Gallegos, 2014).”   
 
To conclude, education programs, particularly opportunities for studying abroad, have 
improved over the years. Ecuador has crossed barriers for further development in order 
to strengthen human talent. The programs in Ecuador are currently excellent because 

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these investments in education allow all people of all ages regardless of social stratum to 
access a scholarship to learn a new language or pursue a college education. In addition, 
all have the opportunity to access scholarships in the city and the college of choice. 
Furthermore, even teachers are able to pursue PhDs and that ultimately improves the 
quality of education and allows for the further development of Ecuador in innovation, 
science and technology, which will have a significant impact on the production model. 
 

References 
 

Gallegos, D. (2014). Ecuador es el país de América Latina que más invierte en 
Educación Superior. El Cuidadano. 

 

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	Gallegos, D. (2014). Ecuador es el país de América Latina que más invierte en Educación Superior. El Cuidadano.

