The event took place in the facilities of the Innopolis Entrepreneurship Center and was held by the School of Agricultural and Agroindustrial Research. The objective of the event was to present to the community the different research and community engagement projects, including the work that the university has been carrying out through the School.

Manuel Coronel, PhD., Dean of the Latin American School of Agricultural and Agroindustrial Research, began the event by thanking the attendees and highlighting the importance of the event, as it represents part of the effort made by faculty and students to maintain the cooperative ties between the community and academia.

María José Calderón, PhD, Vice Chancellor for Research, stated during her speech: “The university opens its doors to the community through the School of Agricultural and Agroindustrial Research, which will provide all the necessary academic work to go hand in hand with the communities through community engagement and research”. Finally, she highlighted the importance of these steps to consolidate the future success of the university with the community and stressed the availability of the authorities to strengthen the Food Agroindustry major.

José Flores, PhD, Professor of the School of Agricultural and Agroindustrial Research, began his speech by greeting the communities and the students, as they are the ones who will help find and improve the needs of the community.

Flores stated: “Today we celebrate the signing of the agreement with the Heife Foundation represented by Rosa Rodríguez, Executive Director, to establish direct liaison with the population to seek development alternatives in the local conditions that are allowed in the area.” In turn, he celebrated the signing of the agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) expressing: “with the Ministry we are signing an agreement to act as observers of the contact with the community and thus be able to work together to cover the needs of the province”.

The signed agreement allows for the establishment of the bases and general mechanisms of collaboration between the parties to conduct joint activities that will serve as pre-professional practices, community service projects, development of degree works, academic training and professional training for the development of science, technology, innovation and research.

Flores highlighted the projects in which the School is currently working, including the “Mikuna” Project, whose main purpose is to improve the feeding conditions of the province through knowledge and technique to strengthen and support the work of the farmers.

The event was attended by Eng. Carmen Sandoval, Manager of the Association of Dairy Producers of Cochas La Merced, Haku Cuy, GAD Tumbabiro, Viñedos Cotacachi, among others.

Francisco Vaca, Zone Coordinator 1 of Senescyt, congratulated the university and the Food Agroindustry major by mentioning that these majors will be the support and will pave the road towards the technification of producers. In addition, he highlighted the need for an adequate liaison between the Central Government, the Decentralized Autonomous Governments (GAD) and Academia, who will provide the necessary knowledge and technology to contribute to producers.