Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP) welcomed new faculty members to its academic community for the 2026-1 semester during a ceremony held on March 17. The event included the incorporation of 27 full-time professors, of whom 12 are on a tenure track, and an additional 110 part-time professors.
The arrival of these educators is seen as vital to strengthening both teaching and research at PUCP. Dr. Waldo Mendoza, academic vice rector at PUCP, addressed the newcomers by saying, “Many studies show that the most relevant element in a country’s economic progress is investment in human capital. That is, education. For this reason, the work we do as professors is key to improving the country.”
Before the official welcome ceremony, new faculty attended a fair introducing them to various university services and opportunities related to labor issues, internationalization, social responsibility, gender focus, and innovation. They also received information about resources provided by offices such as the Vice-Rectorate for Research and University Teaching Institute (IDU). Dr. Nadia Gamboa, director of Academic Affairs for Faculty Members at PUCP remarked: “At the University I have met former students who tell me how they were marked by something said by a colleague or myself during their time here. This shows that teaching is not just pedagogy but involves many more aspects. That’s why we must continue being students of teaching.”
The IDU plays an important role in supporting continuous learning among teachers at PUCP. Its director Dr. Patricia Escobar told attendees: “We provide tools to our teachers and promote spaces for reflection. The main objective is to improve teaching and learning processes for our students.” New full-time professor Laura Paccini from Germany highlighted her gratitude for being able to develop her research career at PUCP: “I am very grateful for the opportunity to develop myself as a researcher because it is not very common that this happens in this country.”
Other new arrivals include Dr. Stephen Berquist from the United States who joins as tenure track professor in Archaeology with ongoing projects in several regions; Dr. Juan Sebastián Velásquez will bring new perspectives on property law; while Dr. José Sakihama moves from part-time status into full-time engineering professorship aiming “to train not only good engineers but also people with integrity”; Magister Pauchi Sasaki aims “to contribute an interdisciplinary vision in research and creation” within Performing Arts.
Concluding remarks from Gamboa emphasized appreciation towards all new educators: “We wish you all well—enjoy teaching—and thank you very much for being willing to share your time and experience with us and our students… May this be just the beginning of an outstanding contribution.”
