The Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL) has set a historic precedent in higher education. The Nutrition and Dietetics program, part of the Faculty of Life Sciences (FCV), has officially been granted Candidacy for Accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND®).
This recognition makes ESPOL the first university in South America to receive this endorsement, certifying that its program meets high-level academic and professional standards comparable to accredited programs in the United States.
A Global and Competitive Profile
ACEND accreditation transcends the validation of content; it certifies competencies. Sara Flores M., Program Coordinator, explains that students graduate with a profile aligned with international standards in nutritional assessment, intervention, professional ethics, and interdisciplinary teamwork.
This achievement opens unprecedented doors for graduates in the region:
International Mobility: Graduates will be eligible to apply for Dietetic Internship programs in the United States.
Certification: They are qualified to sit for the registration exam with the Commission on Dietetic Registration, a mandatory requirement to practice as a Registered Dietitian (RD) in the U.S.
Quality and Rigor from the Inception
The path toward this status involved an exhaustive evaluation. Diana Carvajal A., Accreditation Coordinator, explains that the program was conceived from its origin to align with these standards. The curricular design was strengthened to solidly cover the five domains of professional competence, ensuring that "evidence-based practice" serves as a cross-cutting axis in their training.
Furthermore, the process drove a comprehensive infrastructure upgrade, including the remodeling of laboratories to ensure safe and optimal learning environments. Likewise, a multidisciplinary faculty was consolidated, along with a tracking system featuring qualified preceptors in healthcare facilities.
Added Value and Future Vision
In a competitive market, this seal of approval provides a clear advantage: enhanced employability and leadership. An ESPOL graduate demonstrates training under "international criteria of academic rigor."
The Faculty of Life Sciences affirms that this is only the beginning. There are plans to soon migrate to the ACEND 2025 standards, reaffirming the message that it is possible to achieve global excellence from an Ecuadorian public university and position the country on the international healthcare map.
