DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

President Luis Abinader has officially appointed engineer Jimmy Rosario Bernard as the new rector of the Las Américas Institute of Technology (ITLA), according to Decree No. 65-26 issued on 31 January 2026.

Rosario Bernard is described as a veteran professional with extensive experience in computer engineering, the digitalization of public services, and STEM education.

The appointment comes just over a week after the removal of the previous rector, Rafael Féliz García, who was dismissed via Decree 39-26 on 23 January 2026 after TV journalist Nuria Piera aired investigations into irregularities at the state technology institute. The decision reportedly followed a period of administrative evaluation and public scrutiny regarding internal management practices.