Reflexión sobre las competencias docentes en los institutos superiores tecnológicos en Ecuador

Introduction: The functioning of higher technological institutes ultimately depends on their human capital, as far as they possess the competencies required for guaranteeing the successful advance of the educational process. Objective: To show the teaching competencies currently needed to respond to the demands of higher technological training in Ecuador. Development: Currently, there have been important changes in the teaching-learning process, in such a way that student-centered approaches, as well as a wide use of information and communication technologies, are prioritized, together with the demands of continuous updating regarding the knowledge and skills of a graduate technologist for the specific profession. Also, professional development and the successful functioning of any educational institution demand that professors possess competencies related not only to teaching, but also to the rest of the university functions, such as research, society outreach and management of the educational institution. In response to these demands, professors of higher technological institutes must acquire specific competencies for the four functions: Teaching, research, connection with society and management. Conclusions: Higher technological institutes must implement adequate strategies for managing their human capital, which make it possible to obtain the necessary competencies for the development of the professional career of professors, and, based on this, contributing to the sustained success of these institutions in response to the demands of the Ecuadorian society.