The purpose of this research is to analyze the economic self-management strategies used by students of the Faculty of Business Sciences of the Technical University of Machala during their academic training; Interest in this study arose from the need to understand how students face economic difficulties that arise in their training. A mixed approach was applied and a survey was used on a representative sample of 367 students, identifying the main source of income for a part of the student population, evidencing alternatives to sustain their expenses and reduce their economic dependence. The most used strategies were observed when they go through difficult situations and if the income is sufficient to cover their expenses, reflecting the existence of limitations and conditioning the way of organizing their resources and decision making. Likewise, it was identified that students usually perceive an impact. in their academic performance. The results allowed us to understand the economic dynamics experienced by university students and provide information for the design of institutional strategies that contribute to strengthening permanence, well-being and academic success.
Introduction: Ecuadorian higher education has experienced different dynamics in scientific production, presenting a significant challenge regarding the integration and participation of university students. The problem lies in a lack of knowledge analyzing the correlation between academic anxiety and scientific production in a university context in the city of Ambato, Ecuador. Objective: To determine the correlational association between academic anxiety and scientific production among university students in the city of Ambato in 2025. Methodology: The research employed a correlational approach, a quantitative methodology, and a non-experimental design. Data was collected using a structured survey administered to 248 university students, selected through convenience sampling. Results and Discussion: The main results show that 31.45% of students experience physical fatigue when conducting research activities, 57.26% perceive that they are not meeting the demands of a research project, 47.58% avoid engaging in scientific research, and a Pearson correlation coefficient of -0.027 was obtained, demonstrating a negative association between the variables studied. Conclusion: The university students experience physiological, cognitive, and behavioral difficulties when producing a scientific product, where a lack of experience and student support makes scientific research a difficult and uninteresting field for university students to explore.
The growth of short-form certifications requires a clear distinction between attendance certificates and credentials that provide evidence of specific learning outcomes. In Ecuador, a non-binding national technical instrument identifies a fragmented training supply, the absence of shared criteria, limited traceability, and weak links between higher education and the world of work. This study examined the relevance of implementing a national microcredential system and identified the academic, regulatory, and technological conditions required for its adoption. A qualitative documentary study with an analytical-propositional scope and comparative logic was conducted using a corpus of 46 sources published between 2015 and 2026. The analysis combined deductive and inductive thematic coding across seven categories and contrasted the Ecuadorian instrument with international regulations, technical standards, and specialized literature. The results were organized into nine findings concerning systemic relevance, technical-pedagogical design, verifiable assessment, conditional recognition, interoperable digital issuance, multilevel governance, and an informational registry. The evidence indicates that Ecuador has conceptual foundations for a national system, but shared standards are required before provision is expanded. The study concludes that a trustworthy micro credential should integrate six conditions: explicit learning outcomes, verifiable assessment, academic or labor-market relevance, interoperable digital issuance, standardized metadata, and conditional recognition. Without coherent interinstitutional governance, the expansion of short-form certificates may increase fragmentation and weaken their public value.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought about consequences extending beyond the health crisis itself, particularly affecting the mental health of the adult population in Latin America—a region where structural inequalities and healthcare deficiencies exacerbated the emotional impact of lockdowns, economic uncertainty, and the fear of infection. This study aimed to identify and analyze the psychological factors linked to stress levels experienced by adults in the region following the health emergency, utilizing a systematic literature review conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The process began with 543 records identified in databases such as PubMed, SciELO, and Elsevier, from which 30 publications covering the 2022–2026 period were selected. Findings revealed that anxiety, depression, emotional fatigue, and post-traumatic stress were the predominant manifestations, associated with social isolation, economic instability, academic and work-related overload, and low socioeconomic status. Resilience and family support served as protective factors against these manifestations. The study concludes that post-pandemic stress has a multifactorial origin and that its effects can persist over time, highlighting the need to strengthen public mental health policies for the adult population.
