Characterization of enrollment in higher education in Ecuador

Education is to a human right and a fundamental element for the development of societies; access to higher education has become one of the priority problems of the rulers of a country, with a view to the constant search for legislative reforms, creation of equity, increase in the percentages of university enrollment and the elimination of exclusionary gaps. This research analyzes the characteristics of enrollment in higher education in Ecuador, characteristics such as: Type of financing, location and geographical coverage, fields or areas of knowledge demanded, gender participation, analysis with a focus on careers related to the field of knowledge of engineering, industry, information technology and construction. The methodology applied is a theoretical-practical study, with a quantitative research approach. The results obtained indicate that 60% of the national enrollment corresponds to public universities and polytechnic schools and are located in the provinces geographically more extensive and with greater economic resources. Finally, it is determined that 50% of the enrollment in the field of study of engineering, industry, telecommunications and construction is grouped in three provinces of Ecuador: Guayas, Pichincha and Manabí and in 8 universities and polytechnic schools, where the majority presence of men persists. © 2022 IEEE.