In light of recent changes in Ecuador's higher education system that are aimed at enhancing the universities' academic performance and thereby their ability to help address the country's socioeconomic problems and contribute to the country's growth, this article reports on a study that investigated the research and reading behaviors of faculty members in a private and a public university in Cuenca, Ecuador. An analysis of the self-reported reading and research behaviors of 129 professors in both universities revealed that professors are poorly prepared to conduct research and are even less familiar with publishing its results in peer reviewed journals. Hardly any differences in faculty reading and research behaviors were observed between both universities. Additionally, no significant differences in research productivity were detected between those professors who held graduate degrees and those who did not. The article concludes that greater research and publication expectations need to be placed on professors with advanced degrees, in particular those holding doctoral degrees. The latter should take on leadership roles in the universities' research efforts. However, to make this happen Ecuador's universities need to take steps to reduce faculty involvement in teaching, provide adequate resources and create an infrastructure that is truly conducive to research growth. This process will be further enhanced if a reward system for research and publication is in place.

This manuscript discusses a study that was conducted among incoming international exchange students at the University of Cuenca, Ecuador in the period 2011-2013. Its focus was not on the students' educational experiences, but rather on their opinions about the tourism services that were provided and on their travel preferences. Several comparative analyses of the opinions of males vs. females and of Latin American students vs. European/US students found significant differences of opinion regarding the various experiences. The manuscript makes a contribution to the literature in its focus on the students' perceptions about tourism services in Ecuador and on their travel behaviors. It offers practical recommendations for university administrators, tourism executives and policy makers as they try to enhance the country's tourism offerings and to improve Ecuador's image as a safe, welldeveloped tourism destination and as a welcoming site for international exchange students.

<p>Este artigo trata sobre um estudo realizado entre os administradores de estágios nos principais programas de hotelaria e turismo do Equador. Em base a estudos prévios sobre os estudantes e os empregadores no setor, o estudo tratou de identificar os melhores estágios e avaliar as opiniões dos coordenadores de estágios que poderiam servir como sugestões para outros programas de hotelaria e turismo. Conjuntamente, trabalha-se em encontrar melhores formas de criar, avaliar e administrar os programas de estágio; e em atender as necessidades dos estudantes e das indústrias de hotelaria e turismo. Sobretudo, o estudo busca melhorar a conexão entre a experiência prática da indústria e a teoria na sala de aula. Finalmente, se oferecem sugestões para futuras pesquisas.</p>