Daytona Beach, Florida – In an initiative aimed at strengthening international cooperation in aviation, the Captains Council coordinated and sponsored the first official visit by representatives of Dominican institutions to the main campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. The visit was organized to establish collaborative partnerships in education, research, innovation, and technological development.
The mission was coordinated by Capt. Francisco Díaz, President of the Captains Council, together with Marcos Cardoso Pereira, Regional Director for Latin America at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The initiative is part of the Council’s ongoing efforts to connect Dominican and U.S. institutions in support of the continued development of the Dominican aviation sector.
The delegation included Capt. Francisco Díaz; Major Juan Domingo Reyes Colón, Dominican Air Force (FARD), from the Strategy, Business Development and Innovation Division of Dulus Aerospace & Defense; and aerospace engineer Edwin Sánchez, representing INTEC University. Dulus Aerospace & Defense is a brand of the Public Trust for the Development of the National Aeronautical and Space Industry, established by Presidential Decree No. 156-25 of the Dominican Republic.
As part of the visit, the delegation held meetings with Dr. Stephanie Miller, Director of Embry-Riddle’s Research Park and Innovation Center; Dr. Zheng Zhang, Director of the university’s Wind Tunnel Laboratory; and Connie Garzón, Economic Development Coordinator for Volusia County. During these meetings, participants explored opportunities for collaboration in aerospace engineering, applied research, innovation, technology development, specialized education, and institutional capacity building.
The delegation also had the opportunity to tour Embry-Riddle’s research facilities and advanced laboratories, gaining firsthand knowledge of the university’s scientific and technological capabilities. Recognized as one of the world’s leading institutions in aviation and aerospace research, Embry-Riddle supports cutting-edge projects that serve both industry and government.
This initiative reflects the Captains Council’s mission of serving as a bridge between institutions in the Dominican Republic and the United States by promoting strategic partnerships that facilitate knowledge transfer, academic exchange, and collaborative projects that contribute to the sustainable growth of Dominican aviation.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is widely recognized as the world’s largest university specializing in aviation and aerospace education. With campuses across the United States and an international presence, the university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in aviation, aerospace engineering, aviation safety, aircraft maintenance, airport management, space sciences, and numerous other disciplines that have established it as a global leader in aviation education.
Through initiatives such as this, the Captains Council reaffirms its commitment to advancing the technical, academic, and institutional capabilities of the Dominican Republic by fostering meaningful partnerships with internationally recognized centers of excellence.
