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Historic Milestone: UASD Inaugurates the First PhD in Physics in the Dominican Republic

December 02, 2025
Group photograph taken during the solemn opening ceremony of the first PhD in Physics at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), held in the University Council Hall. In the center of the composition, wearing a dark suit and blue tie, stands the Rector of the UASD, M.Sc. Editrudis Beltrán Crisóstomo. Beside and behind him poses a large group consisting of university authorities, academics, and the students comprising the first cohort of the doctoral program, all in formal attire. The room is well-lit with fluorescent ceiling lights and light-colored tile flooring. At the top of the image, a blue banner bears the UASD shield and text in yellow and white letters: 'OPENING CEREMONY FIRST DOCTORATE IN PHYSICS'. At the bottom, a strip indicates the date and location: 'TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2025, 10:00 A.M. UNIVERSITY COUNCIL HALL', accompanied on the right by the logos of the Faculty of Sciences, MESCyT, the Vice Rectory for Research and Postgraduate Studies, and the General Directorate of Postgraduate Studies.

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. — In a solemn ceremony held in the University Council Hall, the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD) formally commenced the first Doctorate in Physics of the Dominican Republic. This academic program, administered by the School of Physics with the support of the Institute of Physics, represents the culmination of an extensive effort to elevate the nation's profile regarding scientific research, production, and technological innovation.

Panoramic photograph of the head table in the University Council Hall, showing seven academic authorities seated in a row in front of a colorful artistic mural adorning the background wall. From left to right are the Director of the Institute of Physics wearing a gray chacabana; the Dean of the Faculty of Sciences in a navy blue suit and red tie; the Minister of MESCyT in a dark suit and red striped tie; the Rector of the UASD, located in the center, in a dark suit and sky blue tie; the Vice Rector for Research and Postgraduate Studies with a purple tie; the Director of the School of Physics in a dark jacket and white shirt; and the Doctoral Program Coordinator dressed in black, all maintaining a formal posture and facing forward.

The head table was led by the Rector of the academy, M.Sc. Editrudis Beltrán Crisóstomo, and the head of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCyT), Dr. Franklin García Fermín. Also participating were the Vice Rector for Research and Postgraduate Studies, Dr. Radhamés Silverio; the Dean of the Faculty of Sciences, M.Sc. José Ferreira Capellán; the Director of the School of Physics, Dr. Emma Encarnación; the Doctoral Program Coordinator, Dr. Kety Jiménez; and the MESCyT Vice Minister of Evaluation and Accreditation, M.Sc. Juan Francisco Viloria.

It is worth noting the presence of the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Sciences, M.Sc. Franklin Suzaña; the Curricular Coordinator of the School of Physics, M.Sc. Erika Montero; the students of the first cohort, and other active and retired academics from the School of Physics and the Faculty of Sciences.

The welcoming remarks were delivered by Dean Ferreira Capellán, who highlighted that this doctorate is a project developed over years within the Faculty of Sciences, expressing his gratitude and satisfaction for the opening of this first cohort.

Photograph of the solemn opening ceremony of the first Doctorate in Physics at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD). The image shows the head table in the University Council Hall. From left to right, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCyT) is seen standing at the podium, addressing the audience. Seated at the table are the Director of the Institute of Physics, wearing a gray chacabana; the Dean of the Faculty of Sciences, in a dark blue suit and tie; the Rector of the UASD, in a light blue suit and tie; and the Vice Rector for Research and Postgraduate Studies, in a suit and purple tie. Behind them, the flags of the Dominican Republic and the UASD, as well as an artistic mural, are visible. At the top of the image, a banner reads "OPENING CEREMONY FIRST DOCTORATE IN PHYSICS". At the bottom, the logos of the UASD, the Faculty of Sciences, MESCyT, and the corresponding vice rectories are displayed, along with the text "TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2025, 10:00 A.M. UNIVERSITY COUNCIL HALL".

During his intervention, Dr. García Fermín emphasized the strategic impact of this doctorate to boost the national industry. The minister underscored the need to promote areas such as Materials Science, nanotechnology, and semiconductor technology, as well as generating added value to critical raw materials such as Rare Earths. Likewise, he highlighted the urgency of having physicists expert in climatology and meteorology capable of developing models and simulations adjusted to the country's insular particularity, overcoming the use of generic parameters.

For his part, Rector Beltrán Crisóstomo recalled the historical trajectory of the First University of the Americas, highlighting that the UASD has maintained an uninterrupted tradition in the training of Dominican physicists since the founding of the Department of Physics (now School) in 1967.

The Institute of Physics reaffirms its commitment to this academic advancement, assuring that it will work shoulder to shoulder with the School of Physics to guarantee the excellence and quality necessary for this doctoral program.