The Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture announced on March 24 that it has annulled 2,708 degrees previously granted by the Universidad Internacional de la Integración de América Latina (UNIVAL). This action follows a judicial ruling issued by the Labor Chamber of the Provincial Court of Justice of Guayas on February 10.
The annulment is significant for affected graduates and highlights ongoing efforts to uphold legal standards in higher education. The court decision was made as part of case number 09901-2023-00048.
According to the official statement, “the court accepted the appeal filed by the defendant and by the Office of the Attorney General, and consequently revoked the judgment issued by the trial court. It declared that there was no basis for the action presented, as no violation of constitutional rights was found.” The Ministry said it acted in strict compliance with this sentence when proceeding with degree annulments.
The ministry’s move comes after judicial authorities determined that there were no violations of constitutional rights in relation to these degrees. As a result, prior rulings supporting their validity were overturned.
This development underscores continued scrutiny over academic credentials within Ecuador’s higher education system. The full text of the court ruling can be accessed through an official link provided by authorities.
Looking ahead, observers will watch how this decision affects both current students and alumni from UNIVAL as well as broader regulatory practices regarding university accreditation.
