Digital Transformation and Equity in Ecuadorian Higher Education: Opportunities and Challenges for Access, Retention, and Quality
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Abstract
Digital transformation is one of the most impactful processes in contemporary higher education, as it drives significant changes in teaching, learning, research, and university management models. In Ecuador, this phenomenon has taken on particular significance due to the need to expand access to higher education, strengthen student retention, and ensure quality standards in increasingly digitized contexts. The objective of this article is to analyze the opportunities and challenges that digital transformation presents for equity in Ecuadorian higher education. The research was conducted using a qualitative documentary methodology, based on the analysis of scientific literature, institutional reports, and regulatory documents published between 2020 and 2025. The results show progress in expanding educational access, making curricula more flexible, strengthening digital competencies, and fostering pedagogical innovation. However, challenges persist regarding the digital divide, socioeconomic inequalities, connectivity limitations, and the need to strengthen teachers’ digital competencies. It is concluded that digital transformation can become a mechanism for promoting educational equity, provided it is accompanied by inclusive public policies, sustained investments in technological infrastructure, and institutional strategies aimed at ensuring educational quality.
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