REVISTA UTPL INGLES by Germania

INSTITUTIONAL MAGAZINE OF THE UNIVERSIDAD TECNICA PARTICULAR DE LOJA Dirección General de Relaciones Interinstitucionales VIA Comunicaciones GENERAL DIRECTION Padre Luis Miguel Romero Fernández Fanny Aguirre de Moreira EXECUTIVE DIRECTION Abel Suing Ruiz EDITION AND COORDINATION Carlos Granda Tandazo DESIGN Yesenia Yomara Jiménez Ana Catalina Burneo WRITERS Patricio Barrazueta, Mayra Gonzáles, Carlos Granda, Catalina Mier, María Isabel Punín, Claudia Rodríguez, Ana Lucía Unda, Karina Valarezo, Nayda Valarezo, Andrea Velásquez, Jenny Yaguache PHOTOGRAPHY Patricio Barrazueta, Yomara Jiménez, Daniel Ortega, Fanny Paladines, Rodrigo Solano PRINTER Editorial UTPL Information updated until March 2007 All rights reserved.

CONTENTS Introduction

Loja

A brief History

Mission, Vision and Values

Idente Spirit

The University today

The University Government

Institutional Self-Evaluation

Academic Life

Statistics

Continuing Education

Academic Offering

Postgraduate Offering

Student Life

Open and Distance Modality

Centers for Research, Technology Transfer, Extension and Services (CITTES)

Area of Technology

Area of Administration

Area of Socio-Humanism

Area of Biology

Honoris Causa

115

University Missions

118

Cultural Management

122

Internationalization

124

Testimonials

142

Events

150

Appendix

177

Introduction

Luis Miguel Romero Fernández, Ph. D. Rector-Chancellor Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja

The development of the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja over the last five years has been the fruit of the spirit that informs its life as a Catholic University. Its roots, the solid foundations set by the Marist Brothers, are now being enriched with the new contributions of the Idente charisma and testament of its founder Fernando Rielo Pardal, who wished universities, through attentive obedience to Jesus Christ, to be “cities of love”. Love that shapes the essence and actions of the university: love of truth, of science, of education and service, dreaming always of the highest aspirations of human beings in their personal and social dimension, living a collegial, humble and prudent leadership, whose operative translation within the university universality may then be a benefit for so many human beings in the community outside. The most fruitful achievement of the university in the twenty-first century will depend on how one lives in it with spirit and values, and then from this dimension develops science and its effective contribution to society, enriches education through the aspect of the experimental and the experiential, and strives for the furthest horizons and the greatest dignity for human beings, as proposed by the open and universal dimension of Christian Humanism. The Centers for Research, Technology Transfer, Extension and Services (CITTES), as incubators of applied research, have made it possible to give

Partial view of UTPL campus and the City of Loja

new impetus to the classical university dimensions of teaching, research and extension; through them the young professor-researchers are educated in part-time Masters or doctoral programs at the more developed universities of Europe and America. The pioneering and innovatory impulse of distance education is making it possible for us to broaden accessibility to higher education, even beyond our own frontiers, as we are currently the site of the Institute for Quality in Higher Distance Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (CAL-ED). The emphasis that we place on maintaining open relationships with our environment and the world has allowed us to move towards integrating the universal with the richness of the local. And flexible and collegiate management enables us, despite the economic and operative difficulties of our environment, to multiply the values and possibilities of our people.

Podocarpus National Park

May this document be a testimony of recognition and thanksgiving to all those who made possible everything gathered in its pages, the love that they sowed has now borne fruit, including our University’s many friends, inside and outside Ecuador. The integral growth of authentic youth is, in any case, the best testimonial to our university dream, the promise of a better Ecuador and a better world. To all those who have helped, and are helping to construct it, thank you.

Jipiro Recreational Park

Loja Loja, in Ecuador’s south Located at the “center of the world”, Ecuador is one of the countries with the greatest biological diversity on the planet. It lies in the northwest of South America and is bisected by the equator. To the north it borders on Colombia, to the south and east on Peru, and to the west lies the Pacific Ocean. It has a population currently standing at about 13 millions, and in geographic terms it goes from the Amazon basin – the last great lung of the planet – across the mythic mountains and snow-covered volcanoes of the Sierra, and extends to the coast and the Galapagos Islands, which have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

City gate

In the south of the country, where the Andes seem to dip down, lies the city of Loja, founded by the Spanish captain Don Alonso de Mercadillo on December 8th, 1548. It is the capital of the province of the same name and enjoys a spring-like climate throughout the year (average temperature 18 °C). It is the main urban, historical and cultural center of the southern region. Loja lies at 2100 meters above sea level and has about 150,000 inhabitants. Also known as the “music capital of Ecuador”, it has been the cradle of great artists, poets, writers and scholars. The hospitality and cordiality of the people of Loja continue their best traditions and more.

Nangaritza River, Zamora

The city has six museums that preserve its history. The splendid and historical churches seem to hold the continuous presence of God. These churches, built by Ecuadorian craftsmen, are remarkable in their splendor. In the year 2001, Loja was awarded third place for “World’s most ecological city” and first place for “Citizens’ Participation”. There are natural reserves close by, such as the Podocarpus National Park, which is estimated to contain 3,500 species of plants and 600 species of wildlife.

Church of “El Valle”

Panoramic view of the City of Loja

In this city of exceptional places and the riches historical tradition, there are two universities: the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja and the National University of Loja.

Islands

Cathedral Altar

Park of San Sebastian

Colonial Lourdes Street

Mist in a Podocarpus forest Cathedral Facade

A Brief History

The Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja was founded by the Ecuadorian Marist Association (AME) on May 3rd, 1971, in response to the local need for a technical and humanist education supported by Christian precepts and values. UTPL was officially recognized by the State of Ecuador under Executive Decree 646, published in the Official Register Nr. 217 of May 5th, 1971, in which it was constituted as an autonomous legal entity on the basis of the “Modus Vivendi” Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Ecuador, following the Church’s regulations in its organization and government. The mentor and first Chancellor of the University was the Marist brother Santiago Fernández García, who was assisted in his task by the support of Padre Oscar Jandl and Lady Virginia Riofrio, and others from Loja and elsewhere. The first rector of UTPL was the engineer Alejo Valdivieso, who was installed on October 3rd, 1971. UTPL is an autonomous institution, with social and public purposes, empowered to impart teaching, carry out research with scientific and administrative freedom, and participate in the development plans of the St. Marcelino Champagnat

Aerial view of campus - 1979

“Let us go to meet young people wherever they are. We have the courage to enter unexplored territory, where the hope of Christ is manifested in the midst of material and spiritual poverty.” Construction of the Distance Modality Building – 1980

St. Marcelino Champagnat

country, to give, recognize and validate academic degrees and professional titles; and in general, carry out activities appropriate to the achievement of its aims. On October 27th, 1997, the Diocese of Loja transferred indefinitely to the “Idente Association of Christ the Redeemer, Idente Missionaries” the operation of the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, to be conducted with total autonomy and in accordance with Idente charisma. In the 35 years since it was established, we have seen the rise of a small university which began with three faculties: Economics, Civil Engineering and Agricultural Industries, in the buildings of the Daniel Álvarez Burneo Higher Technical Institute, to the present institution that has two study modalities, Traditional or Face-to-face and Open or Distance Education, and where more than 23,000 people study in 25 programs.

Benjamin Carrión Library – 1980

Some milestones in the history of the UTPL • In 1973 two new units were added to the existing ones: the School of Fine Arts and the Institute of Languages. • In 1976 the UTPL inaugurated the Distance Education Modality, the first in Latin America, which began its work with the program of Science of Education, thus opening access to Higher Education to everyone in the Republic of Ecuador, regardless of where they might be.

LChemistry Laboratory - 1980

A Brief History

• At that time programs were offered under the new system in the Faculties of Science of Education, Languages and the Institute of Human and Religious Sciences. • In 1979 the University added computer courses to the programs offered, for which a Computer Center, which was very well equipped for that period, an Institute of Computer Science and a degree in Electronic Data processing Technology were created. • In March 1985 the university authorities decided to add the School of Accounting and Auditing to the Traditional Modality. • On January 1987, the Accounting and Auditing Program was created in the Open and Distance Education Modality. • In March 1994 the School of Law was added, and in August 1998 the program offerings were extended to include all the programs that the university offers to this day. Animal feed plant 1979

Partial view of University Campus in 1979

“To introduce people to Jesus Christ and make them love him, this is your vocation and the purpose of the Institute.” St. Marcelino Champagnat

Animal feed plant - 1981

• The current statute, approved by the National Council of Higher Education, CONESUP, on January 30th, 2002, established that the institution would offer higher education at undergraduate and graduate levels through the following modalities: Traditional, and Open and Distance, with its variants: a) Traditional Distance; b) Mixed Mode; and c) Virtual.

Computer Center 1980

Construction of UTPL laboratory buildings – 1979

Construction of “Octogono” Building – 1981

Completing the main square – 1981

Mission, Vision and Values

Life in our university flows towards the fulfillment of the ideals that first gave rise to the universities. Our grand vision is “Christian

Humanism”, our mission is:

“To seek the truth and educate men and women through knowledge to serve society” - Truth conceived as a vector towards which to direct our most profound cognitive, active and vital dimensions. - An integral education, with innovative educational proposals, that unites scientific and technical quality with humanistic and spiritual dimensions. - A spirit of research that contributes to the development of science and culture with a human heart, giving effective support to universal knowledge. - Teaching, research and extension all converge in a productive arrangement in which the student is both subject and protagonist of his or her professional development, in order to serve the society of which he or she is a part with creativity and practical actions. Taking the historical Christ as teacher, and the development of his thought in the tradition of the Catholic Church, we wish to be a university that, based on the dignity of human beings as “children of God”, empowers them to welcome, define, reflect on, and make use of all human experience in society.

“Universities are cities of love.”

Fernando Rielo

Institutional Values: The life of the university community requires all its members to share fundamental values that enable us to reach our proposed aims together:

• Vision (aspirations) • Team spirit • Management and leadership • Humility • Operational flexibility

“The University must undertake the communal search for the most profound keys to human reality in all its dimensions and relationships. This is the teaching in Christ’s university.”

Fernando Rielo

The Idente Spirit On October 27th, 1997, the Diocese of Loja transferred the operation of the University to the Idente Missionaries, directing them to lead it with total autonomy and in harmony with Idente charisma.

The Idente Missionaries of Christ the Redeemer This is a religious institution founded in Tenerife (Spain) by Fernando Rielo Pardal in 1959, which today possesses a large international projection with more than seventy mission houses in twenty-one countries, and close collaboration with the Dioceses where they are located. The name “Idente” is a neologism constructed from the imperative “id” of the Spanish verb “ir” and the ending “ente” from the Latin participle “-ens, -entis”. The word “Idente” is, therefore, a Spanish neologism and a Latin neologism (idens, identis) signifying “to walk continuously in union with the divine filial consciousness of Christ”.

Father Fernando Rielo Pardal Founder of the Idente Missionaries

The goal of the institution is to live a communal life of evangelical perfection, for which purpose its members form communities where they share their spiritual life and missionary task. Perfection consists in the progress of filial love, which unites men and women with the Eternal Father.

Charisma ““I try to found all my acts, all my lectures, my intellectual activity, and my communication with my neighbor on the Gospel, at the same time keeping in mind the corroboration of the Magisterium” (Rielo).

The Idente spirit is, in accordance with three evangelical principles: • The commandment “Be you therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5.48) • The promise “For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18.20) • The apostolic imperative “Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16.15)

Idente charisma is practiced by following and identifying with the living and testifying Christ, effected by the Holy Spirit, with a filial consciousness that considers the Father as a model of sanctity.

Specific spheres of charisma • To foster and strengthen the Catholic faith, especially among youth alienated from Christ. • Apologetic dialog with intellectuals for the propagation and defense of revealed truth, wherever the church or society need it most. The motto of the institute is “Believe and Hope”, which signifies that faith and hope, based on charity, nourish the apostolic lives of its members.

Missions The evangelizing activity of the members of the Rielo Institute is carried out in a variety of missions depending on specific requests from local churches, and in accordance with the needs of the times. They take the form of social works

and collaborations with associations or foundations pursuing humanitarian aims. “The social sensitivity of the Rielo Institute – says its founder – welcomes, in all their aspects, the frustrations of human indigence: infirmity, lack of education, injustice and, in general, life’s sorrow. Your purpose, beloved children, is the same as Christ’s: to go through this life doing good to all”. The social plan thus embraces all dimensions of human life: education, health, teaching, administration, arts, and literature. Working in homes for abandoned children and offering integral assistance in physically, economically, culturally and spiritually deprived environments are also emphasized. In addition, the missions promote international cooperation in the most disadvantaged countries. We aspire to a new evangelization that, with genuine experience and commitment, struggles on behalf of the spiritual and cultural restoration of individuals, mentalities and environments that, in today’s society, may be immersed in materialism, hedonism and the anomie of life.

Mary Mother of Wisdom, Icon deliver from Juan Pablo II to the Catholic Universities.

Examples of the Institute’s missionary work, in addition to teaching, spiritual retreats, vocational activities, and catechizing, are seen in the dedication to children and unemployed youth, and the significant university and academic presence in the countries where they work.

The Fernando Rielo Foundations In the Rielo Institute different entities have been set up to foster intense apostolic activity. Among these foundations are the “Idente Family” of lay people who follow the spirit of the Institute but are not members. • The Idente School of Theological and Philosophical Studies, which fosters spiritual and intellectual education through group studies where, in collaboration and continuous dialog with science and culture, participants study the revealed truth and its implications in the world of today. • The Fernando Rielo Cultural Foundation endeavors to project cultural and spiritual values in society; man is seen as having a profound sensitivity towards transcendent reality, and the Foundation promotes meetings of different cultures and traditions. • The following are other civil foundations of Fernando Rielo that are especially important for their presence in the university world: Idente Youth, whose aim is to unite youth from different countries, races and beliefs in the highest cultural and moral ideals to form a Universal Youth Parliament; the Fernando Rielo University Foundation, based in Rome, whose specific mission is dialog with the intellectual world; and the Chair of Spanish Language, Literature and Thought at the University of Manila, for the diffusion of Hispanic culture in the Philippines. • Another of the humanitarian characteristics of Fernando Rielo is reflected in foundations focusing on medical aid: the Fernando Rielo Health Association, established in Rome in collaboration with Caritas International, for medical and civil assistance to immigrants, and the Fernando Rielo School of Biomedicine for graduates in the field of medical practice and research.

Mary, Mother of the Mystic Life.

Idente missionaries living in Loja.

The University today

The University generates more than 85% of its resources thanks to the contribution made by entrepreneurial production in the CITTES

Over its 35 years of existence, inspired by Christian Humanism the Universidad Católica de Loja has become a fundamental pillar of regional and national development. 3,200 future professionals are taking courses in the Traditional modality, and more than 23,900 in the Open and Distance Modality, at undergraduate and graduate level, and in special programs. 23 Centers for Research, Technology Transfer, Extension and Service (CITTES) make an ideal complement for the professional training of the students in our 25 programs, both in the Traditional Modality and in the Distance Modality: and in these centers applied research and the transfer of science and technology to society converge in genuine “Research Incubators” making possible the development of extension activities and services. UTPL is part of the World Bank’s Global Development Learning Network (GDLN); it is the only university with a videoconferencing system in 21 cities across the country each with their own satellite link, and this is one of the many services to which students in both modalities have access. Thousands of Ecuadorians, and Latin Americans in general, choose the UTPL as a place to continue their professional training through the 87 university centers in Ecuador and the three overseas: in New York, Madrid and Rome. Currently UTPL is the Ecuadorian university with the highest number of instructors working on doctoral degrees at first rank universities in the United States, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Argentina and Germany; moreover, it is one of the four top universities in the country by number of students in both modalities, and the largest in distance students alone. This experience has caused it to be selected to be the location for the executive secretariat of the Institute for Quality in Higher Distance

Education in Latin America (CAL-ED), in addition to its being the model in distance education for a number of universities in America and Europe. More than 300 academic, cultural and sports events of different sizes are held annually at UTPL, which bring thousands of visitors, as well as tourism and socio-economic development, to southern Ecuador.

AREAS OF STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT The continuous growth and human development require the university to define certain action steps for the future, the implementation of which combine our basic goals and priorities, for example:

Technology:

Areas of Strategic Development • • • • • •

Technology Distance Education Development Economics Natural Resources Humanities Biomedical Sciences

IIndispensable in the university environment as a tool for the development of the country: Internet, software development, automated systems, electronic publications, geographic information systems, computerassisted education, multimedia, virtual classrooms, on-line education, amongst others. The Projects and Information Systems Unit (UPSI) is the hub for this area.

Distance Education: This modality is the “expertise” of our University, with which we continue to facilitate the dream of higher distance education of high quality for people who, for various reasons, are unable to access traditional universities, overcoming the high fees of the globalized and competitive world in which we live.

Development Economics This unites a whole range of academic potential with a common objective: to help realize ideas and projects for the benefit of society. Administrative, technical, biological and socio-humanist sciences work together as a team for the socially and ecologically sustainable economic development of the country.

The University today

Humanities: The search for the most profound keys to our humanity has led us to undertake rigorous research in this field and to set in motion projects intended to be a means of social transformation and an effective contribution to humanity.

Biomedical Sciences This is a field where humanism can branch out, especially the area of biotechnology. With the advances in genetic engineering, our task will be to develop its potential in the service of humanity.

Natural Resources: Ecuador’s greatest wealth lies in its natural resources. Our focus on the global village begins with the earth sciences, so as to guarantee an ecologically and economically sustainable future, through tourism, watershed management, reforestation, in-vitro micro-propagation of native species, chemistry of natural products, biodiversity studies, environmental impact evaluation, ecotourism, etc.

Videoconferencing Unit

Communication and Student Services

Cultural

Secretariat

University Press

Sports

Quito Regional Center Administrative Coordination

OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

RECTOR – CHANCELLOR

BOARD OF REGENTS

Financial Coordination

Alumni

Contracts

GENERAL SECRETARY

Legal

Legislation and CONESUP

UNIVERSITY COUNCIL

Events Unit

OFFICE OF INTER-INSTITUTIONAL RELATIONS

Processes and Accounting

Networks

National Relations

International Relations

Virtual Modality

Schools in Technology Area

OFFICE OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Schools in Biology Area

University Centers

OFFICE OF OPEN AND DISTANCE MODALITY

Call Center

Source: Human Resources Director Graphics: Marketing-Via Vommunications

Unit of Evaluation and Accreditation

Institute for Distance Education Pedagogy

Academic Coordination and Evaluation

Center for Book Distribution CEDIB

Schools in Administration Area

Schools in Socio-Humanist Area

CITTES

CITTES for SocioHumanist Area

Student Office

Social

Open Modality

OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY MISSIONS

External Relations

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

OFFICE OF CENTERS FOR RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, EXTENSION AND SERVICES

for Technical Area

UTPL ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

CITTES

Spiritual Development

Cultural Humanism

Academic Area

Personnel management

Assistance

for Biology Area

CITTES

for Administration Area

University Government

The Government of the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja is structured as follows, in hierarchical order: The Board of Regents and the University Council The Rector – Chancellor The Vice-Chancellor The General Directors The Commissions for Internal Evaluation and Links to Society BOARD OF REGENTS Charged with defining the vision and larger institutional goals Rector – Chancellor Bishop of the Diocese of Loja Representative of the President of the Idente Association of Christ the Redeemer, Idente Missionaries Vice-Chancellor Director of Office of Academic Affairs Director of the Open and Distance Modality Director of Inter-Institutional Relations Secretary General UNIVERSITY COUNCIL Highest responsibility for the administration, legislation and policy of the university Rector – Chancellor Vice-Chancellor Director of Office of Academic Affairs Director of the Open and Distance Modality Director of Inter-Institutional Relations Director of Administration and Finance Director of University Missions Director of Human Resources and Workforce Development Director of Research and Technology Transfer Director of Technology Area (*) Director of Socio-Humanism Area (*) Director of the Quito Regional Center Representative of the Virtual Dimension of the Open and Distance Modality Director delegated by the Centers for Research and Technology Transfer President of the Students’ Union Representative of the Students of the Open and Distance Modality President of the Association of Professors President of the Association of Administrative and Service Personnel Secretary General ( * ) Two directors represent the four Academic Areas, alternating every six months. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Working group of the Office of the Rector

Director of Office of Academic Affairs Director of the Open and Distance Modality Director of Inter-Institutional Relations Director of Administration and Finance Director of University Missions Director of Human Resources and Workforce Development Director of Research and Technology Transfer Secretary General

Institutional Self-Evaluation

Joint meeting of the Academic and Higher Councils

Hitherto the quality of higher education has been determined by the interaction between the university system and society, in the economic, technological and cultural sphere of the programs and institutions; which may utilize a variety of perspectives on university activity, and involve a number of different internal and external variables. The need for a system of self-evaluation to assist in improving institutional effectiveness and attaining academic excellence led the UTPL to the decision to create the “Institutional Self-Evaluation” Project, which was approved by the National Council for Evaluation and Accreditation (CONEA).

Directors of Schools and CITTES together with members of the Higher Council. 2006

Several projects have enabled the university to link up with the most important leaders in distance education in Latin America, Europe and North America, for example: - “The Virtual Center for the Development of Quality Standards for Higher Distance Education in Latin America and the Caribbean”, initiated by the Inter-American Consortium for Distance Education (CREAD) and the Ibero-American Distance Education Association (AIESAD). - Proyecto Alfa Rueda “Evaluation of Distance Education Programs”. - Congress on Quality and International Accreditation in Higher Distance Education”, which led to the founding of the “Latin-American and Caribbean Institute for Quality in Higher Distance Education (CAL-ED)”, for which the UTPL currently administers the Executive Secretariat.

Institutional Self-Evaluation - The postgraduate course “Evaluation and Administration of University Quality” in a strategic alliance with the University of Seville (Spain). The results of these initiatives, and the commitment to create others, are the reason why the University is carrying out its Institutional SelfEvaluation Project, in order to generate continuous improvement processes for academic quality and entrepreneurship, offering relevance and opportunities.

BE A BETTER

YOU

Institutional Self-Evaluation

A commitment from everyone

The whole university community is actively involved in achieving objectives: directors, instructional and administrative personnel, students, graduates and cualified advisors, are charged with supplying relevant data for the global analysis and improvement of the University. The Self-Evaluation process is implemented with a model that comprises four basic functions: Teaching, Research, and Linkage with the Community, plus Productive Entrepreneurship which constitutes the support for the other three; under this aspect the UTPL also includes university internationalization. These functions are followed through eight areas of evaluation, twenty-one criteria, one hundred new quality standards and one hundred sixty-seven indicators. A number of activities are carried out to achieve the planned objectives, such as the preparation and compiling of records for each project, the use of interviews, surveys, observation logs, information processing, and the preparation of final reports. The implementation of this project has enabled us to foster a culture of evaluation at all levels of the university, thus improving the quality processes of learning, administration and entrepreneurship at UTPL, with the principal aim of contributing to the scientific, cultural and humanist development of Ecuador, which is a responsibility that began in the year 1999 with the creation of the Centers for Research, Technology Transfer, Extension and Service (CITTES), whose specific function is research and extension, or service to society. The other phase is that of external evaluation, which is an assessment of the integral activities of the University carried out by the National Council for Evaluation and Accreditation (CONEA) to verify that the work of the university complies with quality criteria and standards, and that its activities are in concordance with its institutional mission, vision, aims and objectives. The basis of the external evaluation, which is carried out by external evaluators, or peers, is the self-evaluation report. On the basis of the self-evaluation and external evaluation reports, CONEA grants accreditation to the University, certifying its academic quality and institutional integrity. Accreditation is temporary, and has to be renewed every five years, in accordance with the Fourth General Disposition of the General Regulation of the National System for Evaluation and Accreditation in Higher Education.

Academic Life

The instructors, administrators and students have a guaranteed role to play in their distinctive areas.

The various academic areas of UTPL offer their programs in either the traditional or distance modality depending on the particular technical and didactic circumstances of each one.

The UTPL educational model is centered on “Productive Entrepreneurship” in which the students and the professors take part in real projects in the CITTES. Productive Entrepreneurship is an essential part of professional development, translating leadership into a spirit of service and practical creation, in which professors and students become agents of social development. The CITTES point the way for the University towards new achievements; working in cooperation with a university whose management style is based on pluralism, solidarity, ethics, tolerance for diversity and academic excellence. This is what in UTPL we call the “City of Love”, in reference to a university world with an environment of spirituality and values. In the research context of the CITTES, as well as in the social service projects, the students involved in productive entrepreneurship become part of interdisciplinary work teams and lead real-world projects.

ACADEMIC MODEL Instruction

Research & Extension CITTES

Schools

CERART

DISTANCE EDUCATION

UCG UDIA

TECHNICAL AREA

ADMINISTRATIVE AREA

BIOLOGICAL AREA

SOCIO-HUMANIST AREA

UPSI ART & DESIGN

CBCM KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT CETTIA DAIRY PLANT NATURAL PRODUCTS PLANT IDA MEDICAL SCIENCES AGRICULTURE BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS UMV

CULTURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP LAW LENG. LITERAT RESEC VIA. COMUNICACIONES EDUCITTES I-UNITAC ILFAM IIEPAZ

SOCIETY

ADE CADES PRESS CONTINUING EDUCATION CEITUR SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY “THE OLD MILL” INN BAR-CAFETERIA

INSTRUCTION

RESEARCH

EXTENSION

The function of the Schools is instruction, using a seminar type model, in which the student is required to review the particular material prior to the class in order to be able to understand the topics being discussed. With the instructor acting as facilitator of knowledge, and the program director selecting appropriate curricular design, there is broad scope for learning to take place. The instructor-researchers “reside” in the CITTES” and lecture in the different Schools in their specialized fields. The Virtual Learning Environment (EVA), the videoconferencing System, the Internet and e-mail provide support for academics, administration and research. Each and every semester more than 540 professors carry out the teaching and learning process in a framework of constant renewal and professional development. In 2007, 78% of the instructor-researchers are working full-time in the Centers for Research, Technology Transfer, Extension and Service (CITTES) as well as in 23 Schools.

PRODUCTIVE PRODUCTIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Integral Educational Concept, not solely economical

! Concepto integral, no sólo económico !

!Adapt the spirit to the circumstances! PERSONAL DEDICATION “Love”

PRODUCTIVE

CONCRETE ACTIONS “Deeds”

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

In the “quest for good science” UTPL has placed particular emphasis on the postgraduate education of its instructors at top ranked universities throughout the world. More than 171 instructor-researchers are doctoral candidates in different fields at renowned German, Italian, Spanish, American and Mexican universities. In addition, they take part in regional, national and international networks of cooperation and academic exchange. As a result of these activities, Loja has become one of the cities with the highest concentrations of Doctors of Science in Latin America, in relation to its population. In summary, the academic life of UTPL combines all the dimensions of the university: the CITTES, the Schools, their programs in the Traditional and Distance Modalities, and service to society, with a strong humanist perspective. The continuous interaction of these dimensions translates into an integral education for the student who, in the course of his or her period of attendance at the University, develops a project which focuses on life, spirit of science and service, and collegiate leadership.

Statistics PARTICIPATION OF UNIVERSITY PERSONNEL IN DOCTORAL STUDIES AT FOREIGN UNIVERSITIES BY ACADEMIC AREA AS OF DECEMBER 2006 ADMINISTRATIVE AREA UNIVERSITY

COUNTRY

DOCTORAL PROGRAM

Spain

Current Issues in Business Administration Economic Growth and Sustainable Development Business and Society Public Economics

PARTICIPANTS

Economics of Natural Resources and Sustainable Development

Spain

Economics Tourism

SOCIO-HUMANIST AREA UNIVERSITY

COUNTRY

DOCTORAL PROGRAM

Spain

Fundamental Problems in Contemporary Legal Theory Basis of Political Law English Philology MIDE II Career Orientation Theory of Education and Social Pedagogy

Spain Spain Spain

PARTICIPANTS

History of Art and Cultural Management of the Hispanic World

Political Thought, Democracy and Civics Peace, Conflict and Democracy Communication

TECHNICAL AREA UNIVERSITY

COUNTRY

Spain

DOCTORAL PROGRAM

PARTICIPANTS

Advanced Artificial Intelligence: Symbolic and Connectionist Perspectives Computer Languages and Systems Dynamic Calculus and Seismic Engineering Physics, Fluids and Dynamic Systems Advanced Technologies in Software Development Intelligent Systems and Distributed Environments Information and Communication Technologies Architecture

Spain Spain Spain

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY

USA

Information and Knowledge Society - Multidisciplinary Knowledge Management SIG Cartography and Remote Sensing Hydraulics and Environmental Engineering Environmental Engineering Construction Civil Engineering

BIOLOGY AREA UNIVERSITY

COUNTRY

DOCTORAL PROGRAM

Spain

Management of Phytogenetic Resources (Gp. 1) Management of Phytogenetic Resources (Gp. 2) Management of Phytogenetic Resources (Gp. 3) Agrarian Food Science and Technology in Rural and Environmental Development Agro-Ecology Animal Health and Medicine Environmental Biotechnology Biology

Spain

UNIVERSITY OF TÜBINGEN UNIVERSITY OF PAVIA TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF DRESDEN

Germany Italy Germany

Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology Biochemistry Agricultural Economics Soil Management Biomedical Sciences

Source: Posgraduate Office Data current as of March 2007

TOTAL NUMBER OF DOCTORAL CANDIDATES

PARTICIPANTS

HISTORICAL TREND OF UTPL INSTRUCTIONAL PERSONNEL 500 450

435

421

400

394

350

362

344

341 306

300 250

252

237

200

182

185

171

150 122

100

114111

101

107

106

50 0

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006 Full-time Guest (hourly)

Source:Human Resources Director Graphics: Marketing – Via Communications

25000 22500 20000 17500 15000 12500 10000 7500 5000 2500

Source: Department of Distance Modality Processes Graphics: Marketing – Via Communications

2006:02

2005:02

2003:02

2004:02

2001:02

2002:02

2000:02

1999:02

1998:02

1997:02

1996:02

1995:02

1994:02

1993:02

1992:02

1990:02

1991:02

1989:02

1988:02

1987:02

1985:02

1986:02

1983:02

1984:02

1982:02

1981:02

1980:02

1979:02

1977:02

1978:02

0 1976:02

NUMBER OF ENROLLED STUDENTS

HISTORICAL TREND OF STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE UTPL OPEN AND DISTANCE MODALITY

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SEPTEMBER 06 FEBRUARY 07

Source:Archives of Academic General Director Graphics: Marketing – Via Communications

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NUMBER OF STUDENTS ENROLLED IN UTPL BY TYPE OF STUDY

18650

20000

17201

18000 16000 14000 12000 10000 8000 6000

2870

4000 2000 0

1353

2890

2130 186

Apr/2006 – Aug/2006 Special Programs

850

Oct/2006 – Feb/2007

Continuing Education

Postgraduate

Undergraduate

Source: Department of Distance Modality Processes Graphics: Marketing – Via Communications

HISTORICAL RECORD OF DEGREE AND NON-DEGREE STUDENTS AT UTPL 1971 – 2006

NUMBER OF STUDENTS

14000 12000

Degree

10000

Non-degree

8000 6000 4000 2000 0

OPEN AND DISTANCE MODALITY

TRADITIONAL MODALITY

MODALITIES

Source: Office of Inter-Institutional Relations Fuente: Base de datos Proyecto Ex Alumnos

ACCESS OF STUDENTS TO SCHOLARSHIPS

1600

1461

1400 1200

1444

1177 1074

1000

898

806

800 600

541

400

562

404

Source: Office of Inter-Institutional Relations Graphics: Marketing – Via Communications

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ACADEMIC EVENTS ORGANIZED AND IMPLEMENTED BY UTPL 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

4OTAL %VENTS Graphics: Office of Inter-Institutional Relations Source: Office of Inter-Institutional Relations

HISTORICAL RECORD OF NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL VISITS TO UTPL

10000 9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006 Total visits

Source: Office of Inter-Institutional Relations Graphics: Office of Inter-Institutional Relations

Continuing Education This unit is directed by the Office of the CITTES. Its objective is to cover the training needs created by the rapid transformation of the socioeconomic structures and the explosive accumulation of human knowledge. The unit has been designed to offer continuous service, including updating, with a set of organized educational processes that combine formal and informal knowledge, the further development of innate skills and the acquisition of new competencies, with a focus on integral practice, for professionals who have graduated from different universities and executives and employees of companies in the public, private and community sector. Continuing education seeks to be a new kind of university interaction with the local environment. It offers various programs in the EconomicAdministrative, Technical, Technological, Legal, and Health areas, with an academic program that includes certificates, courses, short-term seminars and workshops, designed with regard to the work requirements of professionals, on specific topics of current relevance, and representing a flexible educational modality in its programs, contents and methods.

Products: • Special Professional Development – Certificates. Offered through courses and continuing education programs, this is “career-plan” training for professionals who need practical knowledge for their career path. The methodology integrates theoretical and practical aspects. If participants choose to enroll in formal university education at a later date, these programs may be academically validated by the University at that time. • Tailor-made training. Working together with the directors of organizations, we aim to satisfy their needs through the design and implementation of individualized courses. Training programs are implemented depending on the needs of the organizations.

PEOPLE TRAINED BY CONTINUING EDUCATION 9000 8000

8548

7432 5689

7000

• Updating courses and seminars. Working with strategic alliances adjusted to new market trends, these courses offer updating for executives and officials of public and private companies in the administrative, economic, political and management fields.

6000 5000 Series 1 4000 3000 2000

Modalities:

1000 0

2004

2005

2006

• Traditional, Mixed Mode, and Online. Source: Continuing Education Graphics: Marketing - Via Comunicaciones

Academic Programs

Over 36 years of institutional life, the academic programs of UTPL have adapted to the needs of the region and the country, with the vision of contributing to their development responsibly. The Schools and their courses, together with the CITTES, are divided into four knowledge areas.

Technical Area It includes two of the schools in which the University began working in higher education in Ecuador: Civil Engineering and Architecture. This area keeps current using the latest generation technology and infrastructure, with which it empowers the teaching – learning process.

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Socio-Humanist Area The programs in this area have a focus on study and research on the various dimensions of human society, with a strong sense of Christian Humanism.

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%DUCATION 3CIENCES SPECIALIZATION IN (UMAN AND 2ELIGIOUS 3CIENCES %LEMENTARY %DUCATION 0RE SCHOOL %DUCATION 0HYSICS n -ATHEMATICS %NGLISH ,ANGUAGE AND ,ITERATURE #HEMISTRY "IOLOGY

$ISTANCE $ISTANCE $ISTANCE $ISTANCE $ISTANCE $ISTANCE

Administration Area This area focuses on educating professionals with an entrepreneurial vocation in disciplines and sciences relating to administration and economics.

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Biology Area Ecuador is one of the countries with the greatest biological diversity in the world, hence the importance and the potential of the programs in this area, which speak to the need to integrate development and research with humanity and the conservation of biodiversity.

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The study requirements for each program are constantly being revised, in order to ensure that they stay abreast of social and situational changes in the country.

Postgraduate Programs The Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja offers programs of postgraduate studies through its academic units within a cooperative framework that complements the work of national and international institutions working to raise professional quality in this country. Our program of postgraduate studies plays a fundamental role in the production of knowledge to resolve particular problems facing our country in all fields – from the scientific and technological to the economic, social and cultural. All the programs offered by UTPL are approved by CONESUP, and are supported by the traditional and distance education systems, and taught by professors of excellence. The postgraduate academic program is adapted to the needs of professionals interested in updating and expanding their education; it offers qualifications in various fields, so that they can effect changes in their environment with efficacy, efficiency, ethics and responsibility. UTPL offers an innovative postgraduate program every semester that is adapted to the needs of the professional market, comprising diplomas, specializations and Masters degrees, and designed according to the parameters set by the national Law of Higher Education. Students in postgraduate courses at UTPL can access a variety of university services such as the virtual library, Virtual Learning Environment, texts, study guides, etc.

TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS COMPLETING POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMS OFFERED BY UTPL

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UP TO NOVEMBER 2006

6000

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5000 4000

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4ITULADOS Graphic: Office of International Relations Source: Alumni Project Database

Postgraduate Program - 2007 NAME OF PROGRAM

DIPLOMAS:

MODALITY

Duration one SEMESTER of study

Innovative Teaching

Distance

Quality Management Auditing

Distance

Fundamentals of Distance Education and Research

Distance

Financial Management

Distance

Humanism and Spirituality

Mixed

Taxation

Distance

Pedagogy

Distance

Editing Printed Media in the Twenty-First Century

Distance

Strategic Market Management

Distance

Local and Health Development

Distance

Social Intervention

Distance

Administration Skills

Distance

SPECIALIZATION

Duration: TWO SEMESTERS of study, including one semester of diploma

Intellectual Development

Distance

Educational Administration and Leadership

Distance

Quality Management Auditing

Distance

Curricular Planning and Organization of Distance Distance Education Systems Pedagogy

Distance

Health Administration Planning

and

Strategic

Business Law

Distance Distance

MASTERS Duration FOUR SEMESTERS of study, including diploma and specialization

Administration of Health for Local Development

Distance

Educational Psychology: Talent and Creativity

Distance

Educational Administration and Leadership

Distance

Development of Intelligence and Education

Distance

Quality Management Auditing

Distance

Distance Education

Distance

Pedagogy

Distance

Business Administration MBA

Distance

Student Life Arrival at UTPL carries special significance for these future professionals. At the outset of their career, the students take their first steps in the achievement of their personal dreams and join a community that lives by Christian Humanist values in an environment of cordiality, respect and collaboration, and where research, learning and continuous interaction with society will be their formative scenario.

UTPL professional soccer team

Together with their professors, the students form interdisciplinary work teams in which they share experience and knowledge, and where they acquire professional experience through an exercise called “Productive Entrepreneurship”, which involves the instructors and students in applied research activities where they not only gain practical experience, but also play an active role in the work of the CITTES in developing real projects that will benefit society. In this way the “future professionals” acquire hands-on experience and, above all, discover their own talents, thus avoiding the problem of entering the job market after graduation without being able to document previous experience and, better still, they will be able to propose new projects on the basis of the acquired “know-how”; in other words, they will be agents of initiative. Every semester there are sports championships, musical events, university mission camps and different kinds of competition, in which the personal aptitudes and talents of the future professionals are developed, as a complement to their integral education.

Modern Dance Group

Moreover, UTPL has 12 cultural groups, consisting of students, professors and workers, who develop their artistic qualities to the fullest in theater, modern dance, folk dancing, “new age” music, contemporary music, choir, chamber music, folk music, and other areas.

Student Services A number of services included in the UTPL fees are designed to complement the students’ education and, at the same time, facilitate integration and harmony among the individuals living together at the university. Partial view of the Digital Library

Services that may be accessed by the students include: • Two up-to-date libraries with more than 55,000 volumes, and 21 virtual libraries •12 laboratories with the latest equipment for technical careers • Internet service • Transport to and from the university campus • Accident insurance • Medical and dental care • Face-to-face and satellite conferences with international professors • Student exchanges with foreign universities • Artistic and sports groups • Discounts at the student store • Cafeteria – Restaurant They also have access to several different kinds of scholarship: &OR MERIT !CADEMIC ARTISTIC CULTURAL SPORTS STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE $IRECT FAMILY MEMBERS $E E/F STUDENTS SIBLINGS PARENTS SPOUSES AND CHILDREN /F EMPLOYEES SPOUSES AND CHILDREN

3CHOLARSHIP

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3PECIAL &OR #ATEGORY )) AND ))) &INANCING FOR COURSES STUDY TRIPS TRAVEL ETC FOR PROFESSIONALS IN TRAINING WHO HAVE EXCELLED IN STUDIES OR TASKS PERFORMED %CONOMIC DIFFICULTIES /THER DIFFERENT REASONS

National Scholarship The aim of this type of scholarship is to support outstanding young people from all Ecuadorian cities. Its main objective is for young people to benefit from a full scholarship to study in the Traditional Modality (enrolled for the whole period of study) and to share in the experience of living in Loja and getting to know the city.

Student transport

Student Life

The target group is third year degree students (sixth course) with a good academic grade average who wish to study in the Traditional Modality at UTPL.

Student Mobility at UTPL Student Mobility is an action project that strengthens higher education and links the university to the internationalization process. UTPL students in Brazil, 2003

It has been in operation since the year 2003, through the Office of InterInstitutional Relations, in collaboration with internationally renowned universities. The first higher education institution with which this project began was the Pontificia Universidad Católica of Chile, and it was inaugurated with students from the Schools of Legal Sciences and Environmental Management. As a result of this experience the project was expanded to all the UTPL programs, to the extent that a total of 103 students have participated in student exchanges to date.

Students from the Catholic University of Brasilia at UTPL

Currently the UTPL has exchange programs with the Universidad Nacional Mayor “San Marcos” of Lima, Peru, the University of Guadalajara, Mexico, the State University of Londrina, Brazil, the National Autonomous University of Mexico, the Universidad Cayetano Heredia, Peru, the University of Florence, Italy, the Catholic University of Bolivia, and Wagner College, USA, amongst others. Another of the exchange programs is the Degree Dissertation Extension Project “Chiquitos – Bolivia”, in which students work on real-world projects. Begun in 2006, with the School of Agricultural Industries; around 15 professionals in training have been involved in this program to date. Student exchanges or study tours in which students may participate are based on agreements that are made with international universities. The process of selection of students who will take courses or seminars, or go on exchanges to different part of the world, is carried out by means of a set of parameters of which Productive Entrepreneurship has become an important and decisive element.

The students spend a semester attending a whole program of classes, which include research, reading, printed guides, tests, etc. In addition they get to know other cultures and models of academic organization. EXCHANGES WITH THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF CHILE DATE March – July 2003

SCHOOL School of Law School of Environmental Management

August – December 2003

School of Biochemistry and Pharmacy

March – July 2004

School of Architecture

August – December 2004

School of Agricultural Industries School of Business Administration School of Civil Engineering

March – July 2005

School of Banking and Finances School of Agricultural Engineering School of Agricultural Engineerin

February – July 2006

Workshop with foreign students at UTPL

School of Social Communication School of Psychology

August – December 2006 March – July 2007

School of Economics School of Law School of Computer Science School of Accounting and Auditing

EXCHANGES WITH THE UNIVERSIDAD CATÓLICA BOLIVIANA AT CHIQUITOS Agricultural Industries Agricultural Engineering Computer Science 15 graduating students in these Architecture fields are completing their Business Administration dissertations in Bolivia. Environmental Management Hospitality and Tourism Social Communication Source: Office of Inter-Institutional Relations

Open and Distance Education Modality

UTPL was one of the pioneers in distance education in Ecuador, and Latin America in general, and is currently enabling more than 23,900 students to study in undergraduate, postgraduate and special programs, both within and outside the country. In general, this modality has the same attributes as other systems of distance education around the world. Distance studies make it possible to individualize the teaching-learning processes and promote the formation of the skills of independent study and autonomy: the student is the protagonist of his or her own learning. Instructors facilitate study by means of: • • • • •

Basic texts Student guides Evaluations Support by telephone Access to the Virtual Learning Environment (campus on-line www. utplonline.edu.ec) • A videoconferencing system, where professor and student interact in real time. The approach to the University – 1982 Open and Distance Education Modality Building

Historical milestones: • In 1976, the Distance Education Modality was established. • In 1998, under the administration of the Community of Idente Missionaries, the academic program was extended. • In 2004 the Videoconferencing Unit was set up (virtual classrooms), to provide educational support for students. Currently there are 21 virtual classrooms nationwide. • In 2005 UTPL was the site for the International Conference on Quality Standards for Higher Distance Education, CREAD – ANDES. The Institute for Quality in Higher Distance Education was established: CAL-ED. • 18 programs are currently offered, in the technical, administration, socio-humanist and biology areas. • More than 12 postgraduate programs are offered, at diploma, specialization and Masters level. • In the last three years we have consulted for more than 21 foreign universities, plus 7 in Ecuador. • The Virtual Learning Environment (www.utplonline.edu.ec) has, since 2005, become the medium of support for distance education. • There are 87 university centers in Ecuador and 3 others abroad: in Rome, Madrid and New York.

VALUES: The student is the protagonist of his or her higher education, and thus this modality supports action that is consonant with certain principles and values, some of which are described below:

Activity • The teaching model of this modality is based on the principle: “Anything that the student can do, is not done by the instructor”. • The student is responsible for his or her level and rhythm of learning. • The student will achieve constructive and significant learning to the extent that he or she is able to become involved in each activity or experience.

Individualization • Discovers, values and respects the unique personality of each student. • Trusts the student, and his or her capacity and skills to organize himor herself with self-discipline and responsibility.

Motivation and self-discipline • The regulation of one’s own behavior is a key factor for the student. • A professional who has been educated at a distance is distinguished by his or her proactive attitude and high sense of responsibility. • Motivation and self-discipline become competitive advantages in the world of work.

Students of the Madrid University Center

Open and Distance Education Modality

Overcoming limits • This is the continuous striving to discover the truth, or one might also say the experience of intellectual virtue. • It is the overcoming of small or large limits, leading to the infinite.

Educational model • The efficacy of the distance education model is sustained by the academic requirement and system of face-to-face evaluation, which depend on the logistic and computer support that UTPL has established over the course of its 30 years’ experience in distance education. Call Center

Benefits of distance education study • It favors the student’s personal activity. • It teaches time management.

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• It develops creativity. • It stimulates research. • It helps the student to find a personal way to combine study and work. • It includes the whole academic program for the course. • It encourages the practice of self-evaluation. • It improves reading, study and work habits. • It fosters a habit of producing work that is systematic and profound.

SUPPORT TOOLS IN THE OPEN AND DISTANCE EDUCATION MODALITY Videoconferencing unit This is a satellite telecommunications system to which may be added a videoconference signal that can transmit academic programs from inside or outside the country. A professor may hold a class using all the equipment of a face-to-face classroom and the signal can then be transmitted in real time to the 21 virtual classrooms all over Ecuador. In this regard, the alliance with the World Bank’s Global Development Learning Network should be mentioned, the aim of which is to broaden access to educational networks in Europe and the United States. GDLN has a continuous program of global conferences and dialogs with experts of international quality, which can be used to strengthen the educational offerings of the University. Currently the Videoconferencing Unit has become a support tool for the following services offered by the University: • • • •

Continuing training Tutorials by videoconference Transmission of meetings and events Teleconferences

Open and Distance Education Modality Diagram of the operation of the Videoconferencing Unit: Satellite transmission

´æπ∫ ƒ∏ ƒ√ ª∫ «∫ √ ∏ æ√º ™√ æ… virtual classrooms

Professor in UTPL studio

Virtual classroom reception in 20 cities

Virtual Learning Environment (EVA)

In 2007 the satellite videoconferencing system has a studio for transmission at the Main Campus and transmits to 21 cities across the country.

• The EVA simulates the functions of a conventional university on the Internet. • The services offered are: advising by professors, transmission of materials, access to a virtual library, posting grades, amongst others, which enable the student to have access to the University 24 hours a day, wherever he or she is located, regardless of the distance. • To date, more than 20,000 distance students have logged on to make use of the different services. • It promotes interaction between professors and students, which rarely occurs in traditional distance education. • It enables instructors to respond to requests from students, especially in terms of advising. • The service has been extended to students in the traditional modality,

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Web pages from the Virtual Campus

and to all the postgraduate programs offered by the University. • We are currently working on the development of educational materials with a more flexible focus and that are in accordance with international standards of quality and packaging of content.

Virtual Library The use of new technologies in the various spheres of university activity has transformed the traditional operating model and the work culture in general. Many aspects of the traditional university library have changed, including: services, infrastructure, standardization of operations, all of them tending to simplify access to the different sources of information. A virtual library is a center of digital resources that integrates sources of scientific information and makes them accessible via the Internet. Not so long ago, researchers seeking scientific information consulted scientific journals and, when they had found what they wanted, they

Students of the University Center in New York

Open and Distance Education Modality

proceeded to write to the authors by mail, with obvious delays due to writing to all the authors whose articles one needed to read. Thus, the research task involved many implicit limitations, especially in Latin America. Nowadays the dissemination of information via the Internet makes it possible for a researcher to have at his or her disposal on the computer, 24 hours a day, thousands of scientific journals and other resources for information. In this respect our virtual library has to be considered an indispensable element of university work, with its areas of digital resources and services; the principal component of which is access to scientific databases, including: • PROQUEST: access to 30 full text databases • EBSCO: multidisciplinary database with access to full text articles. • INFOTRACK: access to more than 4,000 scientific reviews with full text. • INFORME: full text database with access to 240 scientific publications in Spanish. • BLACKWELL: multidisciplinary database with access to full text articles. • HINARI: one of the most complete collections of databases in the field of medical and biological sciences. • IFPRI: access to full text publications on agrarian technology • CGVLIBRARY: access to the databases of the CGIAR international centers and specialized and university journals • OPEN DOOR / DOAJ: integrates open access and full text bibliographic resources. In addition we have access to digital resources classified by topic, which are open access, and have been arranged by their relevance, and there are links to the main virtual libraries in the world. The catalog of the physical library is also available on the Internet; here the users can search for their books and then request them. UTPL is a member of the ISTEC network of libraries in the Library Link initiative (LIBLINK) which promotes the socialization of knowledge

through training, optimization, and rationalization of resources in member institutions, through cooperation, integration and the exchange of bibliographic information services, with the goal of empowering education and research in Latin America. With LIBLINK the availability of bibliography and educational materials in general has been extended, due to the possibility of accessing information resources from other libraries in the network; the initiative also works on the training of library professionals to share experiences and promote the implementation of projects. In the future it is hoped to work on standards of connectivity to the libraries of the entire world and, especially, to work with the “open access” initiative and take advantage of its potential, in order to offer digital resources to the university community as a means of strengthening research. Virtual Library

Open and Distance Education Modality

International University Centers Operating in Madrid, Rome and New York

Site of the UTPL Associated Center in New York, USA

• Students of the International University Centers in the United States, Spain and Italy are mostly Ecuadorian emigrants • The students have made the university centers in each country into places that encourage meetings, socialization and culture, and enable them to maintain their identity and strengthen their links to Ecuador. • They put on programs and events that promote cultural ties and enrich their academic life.

National University Centers • These centers are organizations that support the administrative and academic management of groups of students in a given geographic area within Ecuador, in which there is intense academic, cultural and social activity. • Their main function is to be a link between the university and the students, but also with society. • They are self-governing in their organization and work. • The centers offer the students a library, face-to-face tutorials, Internet access and videoconferencing. • Currently there are 87 University Centers in a similar number of localities in the four geographic regions of Ecuador.

Eighth anniversary of the University Center in New York

USA Spain

Ecuador

Students of the University Center in Rome

Italy

UTPL UNIVERSITY CENTERS IN ECUADOR

Isla Isabela

Isla San Cristobal

MAIN CAMPUS REGIONAL CENTERS PROVINCIAL CENTERS ASSOCIATED CENTERS EXPERIMENTAL CENTERS

Regional Center in Quito

Regional Center in Cuenca

Regional Center in Guayaquil

Open and Distance Education Modality Collaboration with the UNESCO Chair

The UNESCO Chair was established at the National Distance Education

University of Spain (UNED) in 2001, under the UNESCO-UNED Agreement, and its members are “all instructors, researchers and students who collaborate in the various training, information, documentation and research programs implemented by it”. Dr. Lorenzo García Aretio is the holder of the UNESCO Chair of Distance Education, and he is also Dean of the UNED Faculty of Education.

OBJECTIVES OF THE UNESCO CHAIR The main objective for which the UNESCO Chair of Distance Education has been established is education, information, documentation and research, with the following development goals:

Presentation of the UNESCO Chair at the UTPL

• To promote the advanced training in Spain and Latin America of professionals interested in exploring, understanding and applying the particular characteristics of the open and distance teaching and learning systems, from a theoretical, technological and practical perspective. • To establish the Ibero-American Center of Resources for Distance Education (CIREAD) on the Internet, with informational and documentary references for countries where Spanish and Portuguese are spoken. • To coordinate a Network of Scholars of Distance Education in the IberoAmerican sphere (REEDI) to share knowledge and research. • To develop an Electronic Newsletter for Distance Education (BENED). • To participate in computer networks and transmit the activities of the Chair to Latin America. The UNESCO Chair offers training in all aspects of distance education to Latin-American citizens. It has attained strength and impact in areas related to distance education throughout Latin America. In the year 2005 UNED and UTPL made an agreement on the development of joint projects under the auspices of the Chair; designating UTPL to be a UNED delegate for the American Continent and the representative of the Chair in Latin America. The following are some of the projects that are being developed together:

- The Ibero-American Review of Distance Education (RIED), the instrument of the Ibero-American Association of Higher Distance Education (AIESAD) for the dissemination of scientific papers, experiences, calls for papers and bibliographic information in the field of open and distance teaching / learning in its various forms. The editing, publication (both printed and electronic), dissemination and distribution are currently being carried out by the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja. - Collaboration in Net-active, the virtual mobility project of the European Commission, which has Latin American universities such as Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata of Argentina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), and UTPL as members, and other universities with experience in distance education. Some European universities are also taking part, such as the Open University of the UK, the Open University of Portugal and UNED, who is coordinating the project. The project began in December 2005 with the objective of promoting instructor mobilization by means of virtual learning environments. It was implemented under the Erasmus Mundus program of the European Union, which was approved in 2003, to improve the quality of Higher Education in Europe, cooperate with other parts of the world, attract students from third countries to courses that are jointly organized by European universities, and strengthen the relationship of European universities with similar institutions in other parts of the world. The UNESCO Chair of Distance Education is also involved in CAL-ED, as a member of the Advisory Council. The web site of the UNESCO Chair http://www.uned.es/cued, is a rich source of information on higher distance education topics, and an obligatory visit for anyone interested in this theme. Portal of RIED Review

Open and Distance Education Modality IDB Project: “Virtual Center for the Development of Quality Standards for Higher Distance Education in Latin America and the Caribbean” The demands of the twenty-first century require Higher Education to be more competitive and, this project provides the fundamental basis for the evaluation of Distance Education at university level. It began with a concern expressed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and an invitation for selected experts to meet in Washington in August 2000 to analyze the situation of distance education in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Ibero-American Association of Higher Distance Education (AIESAD) and the Inter-American Distance Education Consortium (CREAD) proposed to the IDB that the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja – Ecuador, should join the project as Executive Entity. The goals of the Project were to develop bases for a system of accreditation and quality standards for higher distance programs in Latin America and the Caribbean (Virtual Center), and to carry out a preliminary validation of these bases through consultations and a pilot test. Among the specific objectives was to promote the ability of institutions of higher education to improve, launch and successfully administer distance education programs based on information technology, and to contribute to the capacity of governments to regulate, evaluate and accredit their distance education programs.

Session of institutional members of the Project in the city of Loja

The project web page www.utpl.edu.ec/centrovirtual is administered by the Latin-American Institute for Distance Education and contains electronic portfolio software that can record the process of self-evaluation automatically and incorporate the support documentation in digital form; the Virtual Center web page also enables users to compare the proposed standards and analyze the justifications for inclusion in the quality standards. This project has undoubtedly assisted universities in improving their technology-based education programs. The Virtual Center will involve the greatest number of Latin American institutions possible, and contribute to the dissemination of culturally coherent quality standards for the evaluation of Higher Education that are specific to Latin America and the Caribbean. Once the project came to an end, the interest that it had aroused generated a large amount of discussion at various DE events, so that requests were received for presentations on the project at Meetings, Seminars and International Conferences, as well as the application at different universities. The principal meetings at which the Virtual Center project was presented are:

• International Seminar “The other education – alternative pedagogy for the Third Millennium” (Ecuador, 2003). • II Meeting on Pedagogic Reflection in Higher Education “The end of academicism? For a participative and renewed education”. (Ecuador, 2003). • IV International Conference on Education, Training and New Technologies, Virtual Educa 2003. (Miami, 2003). • “The new frontiers of Distance Education”, (ICDE) Puerto Rico, August 2005. • Congress on Quality and International Accreditation in Higher Distance Education, Loja, Ecuador, October 2005. • International Seminar Virtual Educa Southern Cone, 2005. “Quality in virtual learning environments” (Presentation of the Virtual Center at the Institute of Quality) Buenos Aires, Argentina, 23rd November 2005. • XIV International Meeting on Distance Education: “Birthing and Managing Virtuality. Realities and Virtualities in Education”. November 28th–December 2nd, 2005, Mexico. University of Guadalajara (Virtual UDG). • International Seminar on Evaluation and Accreditation of Distance Education Institutions (Workshop: Quality Standards for the Evaluation and Accreditation of Distance Education Institutions) January 23rd, 2006, UAPA, Dominican Republic, and participation in International Seminar in Round Table 1 with presentation on: “Evaluation and Accreditation as concepts for understanding quality and its impact in the Latin-American context” and in Round Table 2: “The Experience of Evaluation and Accreditation in Distance Universities”. • RED EVA “Virtual Learning Spaces”. Havana, Cuba. March 14th-16th, 2006. • Latin-American Workshop on Quality Assurance in E-Learning and Distance Education. May 10th-12th, 2006. Barquisimento, Venezuela. • III Inter-American Seminar on Quality in Higher Distance Education. Virtual Educa, Bilbao, June 19th-22nd, 2006. • State E-Learning Forum 2006: “Analyzing the potentialities of virtual education in the academy, industry and services”. Querétaro, Mexico, June 29th-30th, 2006. • World Congress of Distance Education: “The Mega Distance University of the twenty-first century”. Bogotá, Colombia, July 4th-7th, 2006. • II Panamanian Congress on Distance Education: “Higher Distance Education and its goals in the globalized world”. Panama, July 31stAugust 3rd, 2006. • X CREAD/MERCOSUR/SUL 2006 Congress: “Quality, Learning and Technology: the Challenge of Distance Education”; Antofagasta, Chile, August 2nd-4th, 2006.

Open and Distance Education Modality

Institute for Quality in Higher Distance Education in Latin America and the Caribbean – CAL-ED The chief mission of the Institute is to contribute to the improvement of quality in higher distance education in all the institutions of Latin American and the Caribbean that offer this type of education. It was founded at the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja during the First CREAD Andes Conference and the First Ibero-American Virtual Educa Meeting, in October 2005. UTPL is responsible for the administration and organization of the Institute and its Executive Secretariat.

CREAD Congress in the City of Loja

CAL-ED was established to continue this work on behalf`of the institutions of higher distance education in Latin America and the Caribbean. One of the essential functions of CAL-ED is to offer consulting on self-evaluation for programs that are going through that process.

History In 2001, UTPL acted as the executive agent of the IDB Project “Virtual Center for the Development of Quality Standards for Higher Distance Education in Latin America and the Caribbean”, sponsored by the IberoAmerican Association for Higher Distance Education (AIESAD) and the Inter-American Distance Education Consortium (CREAD). One result of this project was the authoring of discussion papers on the self-evaluation process of distance education programs. As a result, it was felt that it would be useful to hold a Conference on Quality and International Accreditation in Higher Distance Education, which attracted a large number of institutions who, in the course of the conference, agreed to set up the Institute for Quality in Higher Distance Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (CAL-ED).

Organization Objectives • To promote a culture of evaluation and quality in higher distance education • To contribute to the development of directives and instruments for the evaluation, accreditation and certification of degrees, programs and services of higher distance education • To generate mechanisms for the recognition of quality based on criteria, indicators and standards for higher distance education • To advise universities on the processes of quality evaluation and accreditation in higher distance education in Latin America and the Caribbean • To coordinate activities and collaborate with the national accreditation agencies in higher distance education systems.

Institutions that make up CAL-ED: • Organization of American States (OAS) – USA • Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture (OEI) – Spain • Ibero-American Science & Technology Education Consortium (ISTEC) – New Mexico, USA • Union of Universities in Latin America and the Caribbean (UDUAL) – Mexico • Inter-American Organization for Higher Education (IOHE) Canada • International Council for Open and Distance Education – Latin America (ICDE) • Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) – Mexico • Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED) – Costa Rica • Universidad Nacional a Distancia (UNAD) – Colombia • Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP) – Peru • Universidad Católica del Norte (UCN) –Chile • Instituto Universitario Aeronáutica (IUA) – Argentina • Fundação Centro de Ciências e Educação Superior a Distância do estado do Río de Janeiro (CEDERJ) – Brazil • Universidad do Sul Santa Catarina (UNISUL) – Brazil • Universidad Abierta para Adultos (UAPA) – Dominican Republic • UNESCO Chair of Distance Education (CUED) – Spain • Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED) – Spain • Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) – Spain • European Association of Distance Teaching Universities (EADTU) – Netherlands • Nova Southeastern University (NSU) – USA • Penn State University (PSU) – USA • Stony Brook University – USA • Acadia University – Canada • Ibero-American Network for Quality Accreditation of Higher Education (RIACES) – Argentina Advisory Council

Academic Council LAC*

Board of Directors

Academic Council Non-LAC*

Constitutive meeting of CAL-ED. Loja, October 2005.

Executive Office

RIACES

National Accreditation Agencies

UNIVERSITIES Other institutions

*LAC: Latin-American & Caribbean

Diagrama del CAL-ED

CENTERS FOR RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, EXTENSION AND SERVICES (CITTES)

Experience of the CITTES

These are units whose specific function is research and extension or service to society.

CITTES CITTES

CITTES

The CITTES are built around specific fields of knowledge: administrative, technical, biological and socio-humanist. An essential function of the CITTES to contribute to the self-financing of the University.

CITTES

• Lofty aspirations • Values environment • Intrinsic motivation • Collegial leadership • “Socratic” spirit • Applied research

CITTES

• They are equivalent to what departments, laboratories, institutes etc. are in many other universities, i.e. cross-faculty and defined by a topic or knowledge area on which they carry out research. TRANSFORMATION OF SOCIETY

• In keeping with our environment, our research is mainly applied. It seeks to make the transfer of science and technology to society into a viable operation, and carry out extension and services. • The CITTES are composed of teams of young professors and students who are encouraged to dream of possibilities. • These teams maintain intense horizontal relationships and have a strong focus on facts. • They are groups that have a strong sense of collegiate leadership and are intrinsically motivated; they know that the group is always greater than the best of them. • They live by the Socratic idea that “All I know is that I know nothing”; but their capacity for capturing new ideas and for creativity is enormous. Nonetheless, institutional elements are essential for their service to society to be truly effective. Increase in Participation by Future Professionals in Productive Entrepreneurship

800

739

700

600

713

672

603

500

491

469 400

300

200

208 159

100

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

Source: Office of CITTES Graphic: Office of CITTES *The total includes scholarships for productive entrepreneurship and for artistic and cultural merit

2004

2005

Oct./06Feb./2007

AprilAugust/2006

Oct./05Feb./2006

AprilAugust/2005

Oct./04Feb/2005

AprilAugust/2004

Oct./03 Feb./2004

AprilAugust/2003

Oct./02Feb./2003

AprilAugust/2002

Oct./01Feb./2002

April August/2001

Oct./2000Feb./2001

April August/2000

Oct./99-Feb./2000

April August/99

Oct./98-Feb./99

49 April August/98

2006

• They priorize relationships with the productive sector and the incorporation of advances in science and technology to resolve its needs. • They seek to make the curriculum, and the different dimensions of knowledge management, (research, postgraduate degrees, publications etc.), more flexible, in keeping with the future needs of society.

Instructional Personnel UTPL 2006 20%

106 Strategy of the CITTES

435

1. Empowerment 80% Full-time Instructors Visiting Instructors Source: Human Resources Office Graphic: Office of Inter-Institutional Relations

2. Visiting professors

• • They are developing a teaching model in which the student discovers a relationship with society through productive projects as a realistic model of professional activity. • They are creating new and imaginative alliances with business, with the State, and with different national and international organizations

3. Travel

• Within the University they are developing an “entrepreneurial spirit” in its widest sense. • They work with team spirit and co-responsibility for, as Christ said: “a divided kingdom cannot stand”.

3. Relations

• They have established a fluid, realistic and flexible relationship with a very complex social environment which is undergoing profound changes. About 435 instructor-researchers are working full-time in the CITTES, where students are also playing more and more of a role in the development of real projects. When they finish their studies they will have had a large amount of direct professional experience. The CITTES are becoming genuine “research incubators” which, after an initial learning stage, are now generating an increasing number of proposals for investigation and productive projects, to contribute new knowledge and practical applications as a response to the needs of our society. At present UTPL has 23 Centers of Research, Technology Transfer, Extension and Services. Through the structure of the CITTES, the University has generated an alternative method of self-financing, which also pays interest in terms of improvement of academic quality.

University Departments in Developed Countries

Since the CITTES have matured, they all have close relationships with university departments in developed countries..

Publications and Presentations These are some of the more than 120 publications and 93 presentations by UTPL professors over the last four years.

Publications: Romero L.M., Un enfoque realista de las políticas de investigación. Publicado en la revista del Consejo Nacional de Educación Superior (CONESUP) No 1. Quito – Ecuador. 2004. Romero L.M., & Rubio M.J., Lineamientos generales para la Educación a Distancia. En: MENA, M., comp. “La Educación a Distancia en América Latina”. Publicado en La Crujía-Stella- ICDE/UNESCO. Buenos Aires – Argentina. 2004. Rubio M.J., & Romero L.M., Apostar por la Calidad de la Educación Superior a Distancia desde la Pertinencia Social. Publicado en RIED Revista Iberoamericana de Educación a Distancia. Volumen 8-No1 y 2. 2005. Barbosa J., Introducción a la Ética. Publicado en el libro Ética para Todos. Colección Ariel. 2004. Suárez J.P., WeiB M., Abele A., Garnica G., Oberwinkler F & Kottke I., Diverse Tulasnelloid fungi form mycorrhizas with epighytic orchids in an Andean cloud forest, mycological research. Publicado en la revista Elsevier. 2006. Kottke I., Haug I., PreuBing M., Setaro S., Suárez J.P., WeiB M., Nebel M & Oberwinkler F. Guilds of mycorrhizal fungi and their relation to tress, ericads, orchids and liverworts in a neotropical mountain rain forest. Publicado en la revista Basic and Applied Ecology. 2006. Tene V., Malagón O., Vita Finzi P., Vidari G., Armijos Ch., Zaragoza T. An Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants Used in Loja and Zamora Chinchipe, Ecuador. Publicado en la revista Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2006. Malagón O., Vila R., Iglesias J., Zaragoza T., Cañigueral S. Composition of the essential oils of tour medicinal plants from Ecuador. Publicado en Flavour and Fragance Journal. Volume 18, Issue 6. 2005. Jaramillo X., Zaragoza T & Malagón O. Descripción etnobotánica y estudio de la actividad antibacteriana, antimicótico y citotoxicidad de los extractos totales de cinco especies vegetales nativas de la provincia de Loja: Baccharis genistelloides (monte tres filos), Baccharis obtusifolia (chilca redonda), Baccharis Iatifolia (chica larga), Piper barbatum (cordoncillo) y Bidens andicola (nachi). Publicado en la revista Cubana de Plantas Medicinales. Vol 10. Edición Especial. 2005. Malagón O., Gilardoni G., Barreca D. Tosi S., Savino E., Zucconi L., Vidari G. & Onofri S. Ricerca di antimicrobici in fungí antartici: un caso di Studio. Publicado en el Informatore Botanico Italiano, 37(x). 2005.

Riofrío L. & Morales A. Caracterización Isoenzimática de Vasconcelleas en el Sur del Ecuador. Publicado en la revista IPGRI. 2006. Cueva A., Espinosa C. & Jordan M. Efficient in Vitro multiplication of Aechmea “Little Harv” and Tillandsia cyanea ex K.Koch, Publicado en la revista Propagation of Ornamental Plants. 2006. Noske N.M., Torrachi S., Grandstein R., Kurschner & Parolly G. Cryptogams of the Reserva Biológica San Francisco (Province Zamora-Chinchipe, Southern Ecuador) I. Bryophytes. Publicado en Cryptogamie, Bryologie 24(1). 2003. Vaca S., Talento y Sobredotación en la Escuela. Publicado en el Portal Eductivo de las Américas. www.eduoas.org Directorio: portal/es/tema/tinteres/ teamint43r.aspx?culture=es&navid=1 2006. Aguirre M.E., Breve reporte de la investigación nacional sobre “La relación de la familia y la escuela y su incidencia en el rendimiento académico”. Consejo Nacional de la Niñez y de la Adolescencia-Red Académica de Universidades. 2006. Ibadando C.E., Soto J., Tamay J., Escudero P. & Porter M. Mass Movements in the Loja Basin-Ecuador, South America. Publicado en la revista Landslide Risk Management Supplementary Volume. 2005. Oñate F., Aplicación del procesamiento digitaldel imágenes LANDSAT para la determinación del número de la curva (CN) en la cuenca alta del río Catamayo. Publicado en la Red Latinoamericana de Manejo de Cuencas Hidrográficas FAO – REDLACH, http://www.rlc.fao.org/redes/redlach/boletin.htm 2005. Oñate F., Metodología para la evaluación de la erosión hídrica en zonas áridas y su aplicación en el manejo y protección de proyectos hidráulicos. Publicado en la Red Latinoamericana de Manejo de Cuencas Hidrográficas FAO – REDLACH, http://www.rlc.fao.org/redes/redlach/boletin.htm 2005. Gómez H., Sistema de identificación de rocas para la Hoya de Loja. Publicado en IEEE Transactions and Journals. ANDESCON. www.ieee.org 2006. Gómez H., Carrión C., Arias S., Briceño J., & Ordoñez V. FIR-LMS Algorithm implemented using a FPGA Spartan - 3 xc3s200 ft256.4. Publicado en IEEE Transactions and Journals. Sistemas inteligentes y uso de FPGA. www.ieee. org 2006. Toledo-Pelaez X., Soto-Luzuriago J. Inventario de Deslizamientosen la Formación San Cayetano, Loja – Ecuador. Publicado en las memorias de las Sextas Jornadad enciendas de la Tierra. 2006 CITTES UCG. Soto J., Guartán J., Paladines A., Marinez J-N.., & Robert E. La Malacofauna del Albanio de Yantzaza. Publicado en las memorias de las Sextas Jornadad enciendas de la Tierra. 2006.

Publications and Presentations

Moreira G. & López M.C. Mediación Escolar y Educación para la Paz. Realidad Educacional del Ecuador. Públicado en la Revista UMCE. Chile 2005.

Presentations:

Male E., Importancia de la conservación de los bienes patrimoniales. Publicado en Studi Lationaomerican / Estudios Latinoamericanos. www.msartor.com 2006.

Romero L.M., Rubio M.J., “Aportes específicos de la Educación a Distancia a la Investigación”, IX Encuentro Iberoamericano de Educación Superior a Distancia, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, 2001. Romero L.M., Rubio M.J., “Concepción sistémica de la Educación Superior a distancia y Universidad bimodal: Una vía hacia la calidad en Latinoamérica. Experiencia de la UTPL”, XI Congreso Internacional sobre Tecnología y Educación a Distancia, San José, Costa Rica, 2002. Romero L.M., “Humanismo Cristiano y Universidad: Papel de los Centros de Transferencia de Tecnología y de la Educación a Distancia en la Universidad Católica de Loja”, Encuentro sobre las Universidades y las Religiones en América Latina y el Caribe: Diálogo sobre los valores, organizado por IESALC (UNESCO), Montevideo, Uruguay, 2003. Romero L.M., Rubio M.J., “Integrando la Educación a Distancia, la investigación y el servicio a la sociedad en el contexto latinoamericano”, XI Encuentro de la AIESAD celebrado durante el VI Encuentro Virtual Educa, México, 2005. Barbosa J., “Ética de las Comunicaciones” Simposio Internacional de Asistentes de Gerencia, Ecuador, 2006. Barbosa J., “Introducción a la Ética”, IV congreso internacional de sanidad militar y III de Enfermería, Ecuador, 2007. Rubio M.J., “Formación a docentes a distancia en Ecuador”, Seminario Nuevos Enfoques en Políticas y Prácticas para los formadores de Formadores de las Américas”, organizado por OEA, COLAM, Ministerio de Educación de Trinidad y Tobago, Trinidad y Tobago, 2006. Rubio M.J., “Estándares de Calidad para la Educación Superior a Distancia en América Latina y el Caribe. Experiencia del Ecuador”, II Congreso de Educación Superior a Distancia de Panamá: La Educación Superior a Distancia y sus Retos ante el Mundo Globalizado, Panamá, 2006.

Rubio M.J., “La Evaluación y la Acreditación como conceptos para entender la calidad y su impacto en el contexto Iberoamericano” en el Seminario Internacional de Evaluación y Acreditación de las Instituciones de Educación a Distancia, República Dominicana, 2006. Aguirre F. Romero L., “Latin American European Cooperation Experiences Prospects” , EADTU, Annual Conference, Taillin Estonia, 2006. Aguirre F., Aguilar R., “Proyecto del Instituto Latinoamericano y del Caribe de Calidad de Educación a Distancia CALED”, Conferencia Mundial de Educación a Distancia ICDE, Brasil, 2006. Correa R.F., “El Aporte de la Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja a la comunidad emigrante latinoamericana de España, Italia y Estados Unidos”, Foro Mundial de Migración, España, 2006. Correa R., “Arquitectura Sin Fronteras”, Congreso Binacional de Arquitectos: Arquitectura y Desarrollo Sostenible en el Ordenamiento Territorial, Perú, 2006 García J.M., Desarrollo local: “Resultados y experiencias de la Agencia de Desarrollo Empresarial de Loja Ecuador” en el VII Seminario Latinoamericano de Universidades y Desarrollo Regional y V Jornadas Jurídicas Internacionales de la Educación Superior, México, 2003. González D., “Investigación del Arte Rupestre en el Sur del Ecuador” en el VII Simposio Internacional de Arte Rupestre, Universidad de Tarapacá de Arica, Chile, 2006. Malo E., “Petroglifos y su perspectiva de protección y cuidado en Latinoamérica y Europa”, Conversatorios sobre Arte y Arquitectura Iberoamericana, Escuela de Estudios Latinoamericanos de Sevilla, España, 2006. Moreira G., López M.C., “Mediación Escolar y Educación para la Paz. Realidad Educacional del Ecuador”, Foro Hispano Latino-americano de Coeducación y Cultura de paz, Chile, 2004. Torres J.,”Experiencias de la Incubadora de Empresas de la Agencia de Desarrollo Empresarial”, en la Reunión de la CAF, Colombia, 2006. Vaca S., “Formación Universitaria de Psicología y Psicoterapia a través de la Modalidad a Distancia de la UTPL” en el Congreso Internacional Trastornos Psicológicos en el siglo XXI., Madrid, 2007. Zabaleta L., “Curso Virtual de Superdotación” en el VI Congreso Iberoamericano de Superdotación y Talento, Argentina, 2006. Source: Office of CITTES Office of Inter-Institutional Relations

UPSI UNIT OF COMPUTER PROJECTS AND SYSTEMS

Ever since its inauguration in 1996, this CITTES has worked on technological development within the University. UPSI was built on the foundation of the former Computer Center, thanks to the initiative of young professors and students whose objective was to consolidate a new stage in research and technological development at UTPL.

Lines of Research “Computer Center”, 1980

1. Bioinformatics 2. Electronic commerce 3. Software development These lines of research are evolving along with UPSI with the one common objective to generate a culture of research.

High-end Technology In the year 2000 UTPL became, through UPSI, the first university Internet provider in Ecuador; today it has more than 733 users in Loja and Zamora Chinchipe Provinces. As a production and training unit, it has made inroads into the development of software, electronics, geographic information systems, the electronic society, telecommunications and multimedia. Partial view of Electronics Society Area Computer classroom

Partial view of the Software Development Area

Technology Valley Building

In its everyday activity UPSI is charged with the continuous technical support of all the computer equipment owned by the University. Out of this organizational system three academies arose in 2004: LINUX, ORACLE and CISCO, which offer continuous training and technological innovation to instructors and computer professionals.

Satellite Image of the Valley of Loja

In the same year the UPSI Software Development Group together with Microsoft and its strategic partner Bayteq started a project to implement a development process based on Microsoft Solution Framework (MSF) for the construction of an Academic Management System. For the April-August Cycle of 2006 the installation of Microsoft SQL 2000 Reporting Services as a server for reports was of great importance; it can serve more than 10,000 users simultaneously. This initiative was declared a “Success Story” by the Microsoft Corporation of Ecuador in mid-2006, making UTPL a byword in the field of technology and education. Since June 2005 UPSI has been developing the project “Loja – Valley of Technology”, which promotes the establishment of a culture that welcomes synergy, entrepreneurship, innovation and competitiveness in the information and computer technologies sector. With this project, the aim is to bring knowledge-based industry to Loja, by means of a technology incubator for informatics and computer science, and by attracting companies in the computer sector. This project has captured the interest of companies such as IBM, Parquesoft of Colombia, Parque Tecnológico of Campinas, Tecmilenium of Mexico amongst others.

63 At the beginning of 2007 a project on “Telemedicine” was inaugurated, through which UTPL plans to bring quality medical services by means of technology to those areas that are furthest from urban health centers.

UPSI and the CITTES for Medical Sciences are working together to connect medical professional throughout the country to offer diagnoses and treatment of patients in the most efficient way. The aim of this project is to optimize the country’s health service and broaden access to healthcare by directing more services to the rural communities of Eastern Ecuador.

Partial view of Server Area

Knowledge Management

In February 2007 UTPL began to construct the CITTES for “Knowledge Management”, with the goal of strengthening applied scientific research. Higher education institutions are deeply engaged in work on knowledge, knowledge management, and access to knowledge, and so UTPL has created a research center whose main priority is to devote itself to work in this field which up to now has been carried out in an isolated way in individual CITTES.

Knowledge Management Space

This CITTES is composed of a group of professionals from different areas: social communicators, who update information; designers, who undertake the composition and design of each of the portals; computer scientists who work on the technical aspects; and researchers, who investigate topics and publish. To establish this project, we need to use and strengthen the human resources, the infrastructure, the technology available, the educational, productive and research material; as well as materials from strategic allies, institutions, universities, etc. The new CITTES will focus on facilitating all possible information to create a knowledge environment, fostering collective work, so that the whole institution may share and disseminate knowledge as an instrument for research; exchanging research for other goods and services: and seeking the tools necessary to generate competitive advantages that are sustainable over time. This center of knowledge transfer will enable the University to significantly increase its intellectual capital through its capacity to solve problems in an efficient way.

Projects: The first projects to be worked on will be portals such as: -

Virtual Educa Ecuador IDB Project on Quality and Distance Education Institutional Web Virtual Library Summer School on Sustainable Development CAL-ED Latin-American Institute of the Family - ILFAM Ecuadorian Institute for Peace – IEPAZ

Another educational portal will also be created on which educational tools will be placed at the disposal of other institutions, and links will be provided to materials, documents, notices and other web sites such as that of the UNESCO chair of distance education.

ILFAM Portal

RECLA Portal

UDIA UNIT OF ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AND RESEARCH

UDIA is the research support of the School of Architecture and the space for instructors and students in this area of research development applied to urban-architectonic planning.

Lines of Investigation: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Museum of Archaeology and culture of Loja, UTPL

Urbanism History, theory, restoration and criticism of architecture Construction systems and housing Virtual reality Landscape

Although this CITTES is located in a technical area, its focus is on man and man’s needs, within a broader social vision that seeks to satisfy them. Projects carried out One of the projects with most social importance is the construction of the University Hospital, which has been coordinated directly with the CITTES for Medical Sciences since March 2006. The project has enabled instructors and students of the CITTES to build links with hospital architecture, which is different from the usual training area for this profession, residential architecture.

CLEFA Congress, 2006

Doctoral candidates in Architecture, UNAM-UTPL

Aerial view of UTPL Campus, 2002

The everyday work of this center is of the creation of urban development plans for parishes in the Province of Loja, which enables students to become acquainted with the socio-economic and residential reality of different sectors of the population. The information generated by these investigations serves as a technical and informational instrument for the townships, with which they can make decisions about the equable distribution and location of buildings.

Construction of the University Hospital

In the same project, studies of property registration systems have been carried out to complement the urban plans; in its seven years, the CITTES has worked on about 23 urban plans. Some other plans that have been executed are: • Design of a recreational and sports complex for the city of Zamora • Redesign of the Loja Fairground in 2006, together with the College of Architects of Ecuador (CAE) and the Provincial Council of Loja • Planning and design of the “Penguins” Daycare in Santa Cruz, Galapagos and the entire chromatic study of the principal façade overlooking Charles Darwin Avenue. • Design and construction of the UTPL museum. As part of the Masters degree with the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México projects linked to the activities of the CITTES have been proposed, on themes such as architectonic design, construction systems and restoration. The Latin-American Meeting of Faculties and Schools of Architecture “CLEFA”, was the most important architectural meeting organized by UDIA in 2005. More than 800 participants from inside and outside the country attended the event, which made an ideal platform for showcasing the University. In CLEFA 2005, UTPL’s participation included the following presentations made by instructor-researchers from the School of Architecture: • “University teaching en route to a passive and ethical attitude”. • “The extension and integration processes of schools of Architecture in their local and regional context”. • “Creating accessibility to urban-architectonic media for the disabled population of Ecuador: a task for all”.

Virtual model

UCG UNIT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, GEOLOGY AND MINES

This unit was created from the fusion of two CITTES, UTIC (Unit of Civil Engineering Transfer) and the Unit of Geology. UGC works in three main areas: 1. Applied research with support in Engineering and Geology 2. Entrepreneurial activity through services to Loja and Zamora Chinchipe, in the material resistance, geology and soil mechanics laboratory, the last of these for more than 25 years. 3. Support for professional studies with laboratory components, such as Civil Engineering, and Geology and Mines. The research areas in which UCG is involved are in the fields of design and pathology, paving, seismic resistant design, water quality and construction of dwellings.

Projects Since the year 2000 UCG has participated in the Riego Zapotillo Project, which has been implemented since 1998, to irrigate 7,900 hectares in the province and solve the serious drought problems that exist there.

Partial view of UCG laboratory

Workshop for International Concrete Certification

Currently the UCG is executing a project that will solve geotechnical problems in the pipeline in the construction of the Master Plan for Drinking Water for the Canton of Loja. Through the connection with the schools of Civil Engineering and Geology and Mines there is a technological transfer of research and experiences obtained by the professors in these projects. In 2004 UCG was named as a sponsor to offer International Certification for ACI (the American Concrete Institute). This certification is a means of reaching the whole of Ecuador through the training of professionals in this field, which makes UCG a pioneer in this area.

Civil Engineering Laboratory Building

Since 2006 there has been an ongoing investigation with the State University of North Carolina on seismic resistant design for bridges and buildings, which is part of the doctorate of one of the instructor-researchers of UCG at this University. Through UCG, UTPL has become a pioneer in the field of construction in Ecuador, and in the certification of technicians and construction workers. Workshop on ACI Certification, Guayaquil, 2006

Center of Art and Design

The Center of Art and Design forms a link between the Technical and the Humanist Areas. Its aim is to shape artistic initiatives with human nobility, intelligence and creativity. It houses more than a dozen artists in ceramics, modeling and plastic arts, who have made the CITTES into a space for the development of art and investigation into art history. This CITTES focuses on different areas of the artistic and cultural task; it maintains a direct relationship with the University’s ceramic workshop, where it is hoped is to re-awaken the links between art and culture. In this task it is hoped to recuperate and project a series of artistic techniques such as mosaic, paper, ceramic design, amongst others, which are used, for example, to decorate the exclusive products of the ceramic plant CERART.

Lines of research • Cultural rescue • Design and decoration • Theory and practice of art • Museography and restoration Internal view of the Museum of Archaeology and Culture of Loja

The Center of Art and Design works in three main areas: the Museum of Archaeology and Culture of Loja, mural art and history of art.

The Museum is one part of the Culture of Loja Project, a university-led cultural rescue operation, that seeks to forge a harmonic union between Ecuadorian archaeology and the specific ethnic roots of Loja’s identity. In the museum an ethnographic space representative of the culture of Loja has been created, with the design of a scene symbolizing the pilgrimage to Loja of the Virgin of El Cisne. In the area of History of Art the development of mural art, and its dissemination over the Internet of twentieth Century artists from Loja, have been promoted. There is outstanding mosaic work in the mural design for the Isidro Ayora de Loja Hospital, the Municipal Maternity Hospital and SOLCA.

Mural in classroom building

Since August 2006 a databank has been developed using the Geographic Information System (SIG), which contains information on the main characteristics of 19th century architecture in Loja. The Petroglyph project, which has been implemented since 2001, has led to rock art being discovered at 17 sites in the Province of Loja; this was done with the support of instructor-researchers from Art and Design. With this information an inventory of sites for different types of rock art was compiled, and the goal is to produce a publication based on this in collaboration with the National Institute of Cultural Patrimony. Currently, as part of a project proposed to FUNDACYT, work is proceeding on making paper out of natural fibers. Sculpture workshop

Cerart

This is both a CITTES and a production workshop. Its work calls on the resources of professionals and students in Art and Design, Chemical Engineering and Economics. Since its creation in 1983, CERART has produced “Ñukanchik” “(ours)” ceramics, the main characteristics of which are the decorative stamps and graphics of pre-Colombian cultures, on pieces made out of red clay covered with black or white slip.

Ceramics plant, 1987

In 2002, CERAT incorporated the “Yapacunchi” factory, and since then the brand, whose name means “give something more”, and which had been off the market for several years, has repositioned itself. One characteristic that adds a significant value to the ceramics produced at UTPL is that its pieces are hand decorated.

Action Lines 1. Craft store 2. Commercial Laboratory

“Nukanchik” Production Line

CERART has embarked on research and the preparation of new clays and colors in order to create quality ceramics and, at the same time, reduce environmental pollution, which is increasing across the country. We continually work on new ceramic offerings made with different types of clay; this constant innovation has brought the expansion of the product to a national, and even international level. Points of sale have been established for the ceramics of Loja in the cities of Quito, Cuenca and Guayaquil, positioning Yapacunchi as the national leader of ceramic production.

“Yapacunchi” Production Line

Today, the production of CERART has reached an average of 5000 pieces per month, of which 4,000 are from the Yapacunchi line and 1,000 are from Ñukanchik. These pieces are sold all over the country, and additional distribution centers will be opened in 2007.

Ceramics plant, 2006

Distribution center in Riobamba

CADES CENTER FOR CONSULTING AND ENTREPRENEURIAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

This center arose out of the need to reverse the divorce between university and society, by incorporating elements of leadership, administration and entrepreneurship in order to offer solutions with institutional values and universal models and generate social and entrepreneurial development. CADES originated in 1998 with the application of the university model of Productive Entrepreneurship with a group of thirteen young professionals, several of whom still had to graduate. The process of creating personal and team goals led to the fusion of what at one time had been the University Department of Small and MediumSized Companies (UNIPYMES) with ATERRIZMENT which had a more practical vision of project planning and implementation. The name alludes to the administrative and entrepreneurial focus but with the emphasis on execution. Today it has become a training and coaching center focusing on applied research and services: in addition it coordinates and supports the management of other university CITTES.

Lines of Research: These are divided into areas: 1. Economics of Technology 2. Economics of Natural Resources and Sustainable Development 3. Economics of Finance 4. Economic Theory These fields are all part of the strategic areas of university development, where technology, natural resources and distance education are placed in the service of society through extension and the provision of goods and services. CADES has generated projects and served as a channel for projects for other sectors.

Since 2005 it has served such diverse groups as the banking sector (Banco Bolivariano, Banco de Machala), the private sector (CORPEI, FEDEXPORT), international organizations (CAF, BID), the public sector (CONESUP), and others. The services of CADES include the creation of national databases on cooperatives and financial networks, reports on the potential of investment in biotechnology, migrant networks, etc. One of the challenges of CADES from the start was to obtain contracts from the public sector. Thus, for example, work was carried out for the Internal Revenue Service (SRI), on creating a database of contributors in Ecuador. In the year 2000, CADES worked on the collection of data on the population of Chordeleg, Azuay Province, as part of the Apolo Program of the State of Ecuador. These data were used for the distribution of food vouchers, health services and other assistance for people in financial need. In 2003 CADES worked on the Integrated System of Social Indicators of Ecuador (SIISE), a database that is available on the Internet and on CDROMS, with information on the concentrations of poverty in Ecuador. Currently, in the field of industrial research, it is working on the collection and investigation of indicators of corruption, as a mechanism for the formalization of all sectors and the need for accountability. A study based on SIISE data showed that 150,000 Ecuadorian children were living without their fathers or mothers, due mainly to emigration. In 2006, the Research Center for the Ecuadorian Migrant (CIAME) was established, which collects statistical information on migrants, the socioeconomic status of their families and the destination of their remittances. This project is being financed by the National Council for Higher Education CONESUP and UTPL, and aims to orient Ecuadorian migrants to investment opportunities, thereby increasing the possibilities that they can return home.

Partial view of future space for entrepreneurship and consulting

ADE AGENCY FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT

ADE was founded in 2001 with the support of the United Nations Program for Development (PNUD) and the Loja Chamber of Commerce (CAIL). This agency uses a number of entrepreneurial tools to support the expansion and generation of competitive companies in southern Ecuador, with the motto “Create a business, create the Future”. ADE fosters entrepreneurial culture and the establishment of a culture of quality, supporting the creation of companies through the strategy of its five administrative structures: 1. 1. One-Stop Business Office 2. General Business Services 3. Loja Incubator of Innovative Companies 4. Center for Business Training 5. Employment Exchange Its activity consists of strengthening small, medium, or new entrepreneurs attempting to create companies or empowering companies that already exist, through this administrative structure. The Chamber of Commerce and its members actively work with ADE, in competitions that are regularly organized by the Business Incubator. One-Stop Business Area • Formalization and legalization of urban and rural companies • Commercial promotion and market access for micro-businesses Training Area • Design of educational and entrepreneurial development programs for Southern Ecuador • Promotion of the development of entrepreneurial competencies General Business Services Area • Analysis of, and research on, local and national markets • Creation of short or long term projects of entrepreneurial and social development

ADE offices in the City of Loja

• Investment and social responsibility • Social information and statistics Business Incubator Area • Creation of incentives for a culture of entrepreneurship • Support for the creation of new companies and strengthening of companies that already exist

Projects and programs

Micro-business Fair

• In progress: with the assistance of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), projects to formalize access to the local market for the PYMES of Loja and Zamora Chinchipe, with a capital of $100,000; these projects will continue for two years. • The project “Strengthening the Ecuadorian network of incubators”, begun in 2006 with a capital of $80,000. Its objective is to create a national network of Ecuadorian incubators. • We are also working on turning this network of incubators into a platform for the access and development of business or commerce, with the support of the Corporation for the Promotion of Exports and Investment (CORPEI) and the Andean Corporation for Promotion (CAF). • Another high impact project is “FINQUERO” which targets the commercialization of agricultural products and supports 500 families from Loja Province who are involved in this industry.

Rural promotion and training

• This project arose out of a business services activity. Basically, we are working within the commercial systems and in direct collaboration with PROLOCAL • In this project, we work with 20 associations, each of which consists of 25 families; these producers have a company “FINQUERO” which distributes their products throughout Loja and Zamora Chinchipe. • In 2006 ADE raised seed capital of $122,000 for the support of the companies in the incubator; $72,000 of which represents funds from the National Secretariat of Science and Technology SENSCYT and the remaining $50,000 came from investors in the City of Loja. • Between 2000 and 2004 ADE offered entrepreneurial services to 400 people on average, in 2005 this number reached 3,000, and in 2006 it reached 3,500.

CEITUR CENTER FOR TOURISM RESEARCH

This CITTES coordinates and strengthens the services offered by the School of Hospitality’s Casa Lojana, the Inn La Vieja Molienda, the Convention Center, the Bar - Cafeteria and other areas of UTPL, in which the students carry out real life internships. Its mission is to offer quality professional services in training, research, planning and management in the tourism and hospitality sector, channeling resources and actions to strengthen the country’s development in this area. CEITUR seeks to generate research on a national level, so that it can provide the country with data on the quality of tourism and other related areas. Open house at UTPL

Among the specialized services offered by CEITUR are proposal writing for tourist and hospitality projects, offering training courses and workshops, and planning and developing tourist destinations. Projects: • With regard to technology transfer, we are working with the Ministry of Tourism on the consolidation of the Regional Tourism Development Plan, the provincial agency for tourism development, and others.

Colonial Church in San Juan de El Valle

World Congress on Biodiversity, 2003

Amazonian Forest – Podocarpus National Park

• Research on the professional, technical and economic situation of tourism sector workers in Ecuador. The results will be published in 2007 and will influence the design of Ministry of Tourism policies.

Sweet gum trees, Vilcabamba–Yangana road

• Together with the Tourism Association of Ecuador, we are working on the development of an intranet in the service of the tourism sector. • To promote a realistic approach to the sector of tourism, an observatory was implemented in the City of Loja to study such data as the length of stay of tourists, their preferences, level of costs, etc. • Another goal is the Certification in New Tourist Practices in which some private companies and foundations in Loja and Zamora Chinchipe are taking part.

Ecotourism workshop, UTPL Ecological Station

• We also support the work of the Institute of Cultural Heritage, which has carried out an inventory of the religious objects that are to be found in the different city churches. • Another project initiated by CEITUR is the creation of an operational tourist agency, which will operate in Quito and Guayaquil.

Andean landscape

La Vieja Molienda Inn

La Vieja Molienda Inn is a center of professional practice for the students of the School of Hospitality and Tourism. A beautiful old hacienda, more than a hundred years old, it has been converted into what it is today: a functional and picturesque inn; with an extensive stone patio and welcoming gardens that remind us of the colonial era. Its service policy seeks to satisfy clients in a family environment, offering relaxation or a choice of other attractions and amusements that we can offer. In the peaceful Valley of Malacatos, with its subtropical climate amidst fields of sugar cane, it offers privacy in warm and welcoming surroundings in the historical atmosphere of the hacienda “San José”. The services offered include:

Corridor in hacienda at the Inn

• Restaurant • Gardens • 25 guest rooms • Three meeting rooms • Games rooms • Bar • “San José” Museum • Pool with water slide • Sauna • Turkish bath • Hydrotherapy • Horseback rides

Partial view of La Vieja Molienda Inn

The UTPL Cafeteria

The UTPL Bar – Cafeteria was established as a center for students of the School of Hospitality and Tourism to intern in the fields of gastronomy and customer service. Its main objective is to offer its clients a high quality experience in terms of food and drink, with personal attention and the use of the latest technology. Since its beginnings, it has been a meeting place for the university community; a place for reflection, friendship and relaxation amid the intense activity of daily life. Each day, the cafeteria offers its services to more than 900 people; as well as providing refreshments for all kinds of events, both within and outside the University.

Services The University Cafeteria is organized into several production areas, which process every step from the raw materials to the final product ready for consumption. The services offered by the cafeteria are: • Kitchen • Bakery / Pastry-cook • Special events

UTPL Cafeteria

La Casa Lojana School of Hospitality

La Casa Lojana serves as the technical and research support for the students of the School of Hospitality and Tourism. It was conceived as a keystone for the tourist development of southern Ecuador. Its main object is to promote a culture of quality hotel service in the city of Loja, with high levels of occupation in lodging and restaurant, offering the highest standards of hospitality. The attractiveness to tourists of the southern part of the country, and Loja in particular, has increased considerably in recent years. Because of this, the number of hotels, hostels and other services related to hospitality and tourism, has also increased. The excellence of the details ensures the comfort of the guests and, in addition, guarantees unsurpassed organization of other events that are held both in the hotel and elsewhere.

Lines of Research

Interior view of suite

1. Local and international gastronomy 2. Services to client and improvement of tourist services 3. National and foreign tourist potential The welcoming environment of the hotel, which has the atmosphere of a large family residence, together with the typical gastronomy of Loja, and especially the friendly service, have made la Casa Lojana into a by-word for quality in southern Ecuador.

Hospitality services • 11 rooms • 1 presidential suite • Cable TV service • Direct telephone line • Internet • Room service • Laundry • Chapel • Private security • Parking

Main lobby of Hotel

Restaurant and events service The hotel restaurant offers • • • •

International dishes Typical local dishes Buffet service Organization of events

UTPL Convention Center

Created to promote the implementation of conventions, seminars, fairs, conferences, meetings and other events, with international standards of logistics and service. With the Convention Center and the Events Unit, the idea is to position Loja as a leader in academic and business tourism in the country. The Convention Center has all the necessary infrastructure, the latest technology and the logistic support to hold academic, cultural or commercial events. It was inaugurated in November 2004, for the IV Ibero-American Gifted and Talented Simultaneous translation system

Congress. Since then it has been the scene of important local, national and international forums, with the attendance of more than 6,000 participants. Some national and international events held here

No. of Participants

850

V Ibero-American Gifted and Talented Congress Quality and International Accreditation in Higher Distance Education.

500

II International Congress on Dry Forest,

570

V Ecuadorian Congress on Plant Biology, III Congress on Conservation of Biodiversity of the Andes and Amazonia

Latin-American Conference of Schools and Faculties of Architecture

624

Marist Congress VII National Congress on Catholic Education

306 800

Source: Convention Center Elaboración: VIA Communications

The Convention Center has the following characteristics: • •

Size: 980 Square Meters Capacity: 850 seats

It can be divided into three auditoria with a capacity of 280 people in each.

General Services • • • • • • •

Registration Area 3 auditoria VIP room Press room Meeting room Exhibition area Break-out rooms for workshops

Lobby of the Convention Center

Technical Services • • • • • •

Audiovisual equipment Independent control cabin Closed circuit television 3 giant screens 2 cabins for simultaneous translation Satellite connection

Additional Services • • • • • • • • • •

Audio and video technicians Consulting on event planning Conference personnel Publicity consultant Editing and printing services Musical groups Transport for participants Bar – cafeteria Publicity on university campus Ample parking

Control room for video and satellite transmission

UTPL PRESS UTPL UNIVERSITY PRESS

This unit provides support and service for the operation of the Traditional and Distance Modalities by supplying printed texts and student guides. The University Press provides pre-press, printing, and post-press services. The University Press has registered the greatest number of authors’ copyrights and ISBN codes (International Standard Book Number) in Ecuador. University Press, 1985

Since 2001 1,489 new titles have been registered with the Ecuadorian Chamber of Books, and the volume is increasing year by year, so that we are becoming the highest producing publisher in the country. In 2006 the University Press printed a total of 96,000 copies of a collection of 12 books by authors from Loja, as part of the Culture of Loja project, thus bringing the cultural activity of the city and the country to a wider audience. Another outstanding event was the edition of elementary education textbooks for the Provincial Council of Loja, which had a print run of 21,000 books in August, 2005.

Storage and distribution area

GRAPH SHOWING PRODUCTION OF BOOKS AND STUDENT GUIDES FROM 2002-2006

300000 250000 200000 150000

Books Guides

100000 50000 0 2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

Source:UTPL Publishing Graph: Marketing – VIA Communications

Design Area, UTPL Publishing

In 2006 a total of 37,000 books were printed, which included those developed by the CITTES of Science of Education for use in elementary education. Each semester the Press prints more than 100,000 student guides and around 35,000 books on different topics and specializations for the students of the Open and Distance Modality. In addition its digital reproduction center prints an average of 24,000 completely coded and individualized evaluations. Production plant, UTPL Publishing

VIA Communications

Based on a vision of promoting communication in the service of education, the goal of this unit is to connect the university and society through integrative communication. This is the CITTES that is charged with publicizing the university culture and supporting the university’s distance education through the use of the communication media. Moreover, it is supported by all the CITTES, and generates communication, marketing and publicity policies and strategies. Its work revolves around five lines of research: Video production room 1981

• • • • •

Information society – digital journalism Media and public opinion Edu-communication Ethics and values Migration

Since the year 2002 this CITTES has been offering a Diploma in “Editing Printed Media in the Twenty-First Century”, by agreement with the Ecuadorian Association of Editors of Periodicals (AEDEP). The diploma has been taught all over the country through the distance education system with virtual support. In 2002 VIA also initiated the project “Development of multimedia for the teaching of science and technology in formal education in Ecuador” with the acronym FUNDACYT as a sponsor. In 2005, more than 500 broadcasters and communicators from all over the country participated in the distance education project: “ICT’s for radio production” which was sponsored by the Regional Office of UNESCO. Recording the program “Punto de Vista” (“Point of View”), VIA Communications studio

Recording and transmission from a rural area

Finally, there are the CITTES’ television productions, which have been very successful since 2006. One example of these is the television program “Nuevos vecinos” (“New Neighbors”) which is broadcast monthly on the channel of the IberoAmerican Association of Educational Television (ATEI). “Nuevos Vecinos” focuses on topics of migration and education. Each program is 45 minutes long and is co-produced by the students of Social Communication at the International Center in Madrid together with VIA Communications. In October, 2006 the program “Miradas” (“Glances”) was screened on the ECUAVISA-International channel, which broadcasts to North America and Europe. The program revolves around the topics of education, values and migration. The length of each program is 30 minutes. In addition to these projects some specialized services are offered by the CITTES such as: • Communication, press room and public relations office • Consulting in marketing and publicity • Production of academic, informational and scientific audiovisual materials • Audiovisual administration and services at UTPL.

I - UNITAC IBERO-AMERICAN UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TALENT AND CREATIVITY

Set up in 1998, to turn the focus of educational psychology onto the gifted and talented student population. The work of this work is centered on fostering improvements in the development of thought, academic success and talent. The Institute promotes the development of human potential through programs of psychological intervention, the management and diffusion of new applications, and also through research in the field of educational psychology.

International videoconference with Howard Gardner

Lines of research • Special educational needs of the gifted • Development of thinking skills through the Unit for the Development of Thinking Skills (UDP), a Center which is authorized by Israel • Orientation in educational psychology I-UNITAC is an organization that advises on the promotion of intelligence and creativity development at all levels of the Ecuadorian educational system.

Children’s vacation workshop

In 1998 I-UNITAC carried out an investigation to evaluate the intellectual capacity of 173,000 children in Ecuador. This study showed the distribution of intelligence in the children of our country and offered a plan to develop an “Ecuadorian analysis”, based on the results obtained with the test Gifted and Talented Congress, Loja 2004

Children’s workshop

applied in the investigation. In 2003, the Unit for the Development of Thinking Skills was founded, which is an authorized center for the training of teachers in Ecuador. I-UNITAC is currently preparing a manual for parents and educational establishments, as part of the project “Family relationships and their influence on school success”. The information was obtained on the basis of direct surveys carried out in 15,000 Ecuadorian families, under the supervision of researchers from the National Distance Education University (UNED) of Spain. Since 2004 I-UNITAC has been developing a project titled “Global Classroom” with the support of the Global Development Learning Network (GDLN) of the World Bank. The goal of this project is to bring international professors to Ecuador and the other GDLN member countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, by videoconference, in the field of human development, mainly Education, Psychology Philosophy and Literature.

Masters in Development of Thinking

So far, we have heard from the following renowned intellectual leaders: • In November, 2004, Dr. Jean Charles Terrassier presented a lecture entitled: “Facets of Dyssynchrony”, from Nice, France. The event was simultaneously transmitted to five countries around the world and attracted 700 participants. • In October, 2005, Professor Howard Gardner lectured on “The theory of Multiple Intelligences” from Harvard University. The event was attended by 1000 people in Argentina, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua and Ecuador. • In March, 2006, from the GDLN site in Washington, DC (USA), Dr. Daniel Goleman spoke on “Emotional Intelligence as a Human Development”. More than 700 participants in Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Honduras, Ecuador and Spain debated the topic.

EDUCITTES CENTER FOR RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, EXTENSION AND SERVICE IN EDUCATION SCIENCES

EDUCITTES plans pregraduation seminars for the School of Sciences of Education each semester; these events attract around 1000 Open Modality students annually.

This CITTES seeks to bring improvements to the educational and social sector by working with teachers and students in elementary, middle and high school.

Lines of research: 1. Educational technology 2. Values and education One of the concerns of EDUCITTES is to promote the application of communication and information technologies to education by teachers throughout the country. For this purpose, an investigation was undertaken with the support of 3,000 students of Sciences of Education in the Open Modality, to establish to what extent the teachers of Ecuador are familiar with technology. During 2005, and part of 2006, EDUCITTES developed elementary school textbooks with the assistance of the Organization of Ibero-American States (OAS). This initiative was simultaneously implemented in Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador, in Language, Mathematics and Natural Sciences respectively. In the second semester of 2006, in cooperation with the Organization of American States, a training program was offered on-line, titled “Strategies for the teaching of Mathematics”. More than 300 elementary school educators from Ecuador took part in the process, which was completed in December 2006.

Pre-graduation seminar, 2006

One of the central concerns of EDUCITTES is values education. Since 2004 a course named “Activity Vacations” has been offered, which is taught by international teachers. This course, which is held annually, is intended for children of all ages, to foster creativity and living by values. For the first semester of 2007 a training course for 2,200 Ecuadorian teachers has been confirmed, using a text that was developed with the assistance of the Provincial Council of Loja, as part of the “Syllables” project.

Teaching practice

Legal management INSTITUTE OF LEGAL RESEARCH AND SERVICES

This unit offers research and technical support for practical training in the Legal Sciences degree. One of the reasons for the existence of this CITTES is to offer legal assistance in regard to general legal matters for people with few economic resources.

Lines of research Environmental Law; Law and Informatics; Analysis and Conflict Resolution; Penal Law; Civil Law; Business Law; Human Rights; Constitutional Law and Public Administration. The work carried out on the basis of these lines of research has made it possible for this CITTES to join the “Project against white slavery”, with the support of the American Bar Association (ABA). In 2005 Legal Management set up the project “Observatory of Justice”. This was implemented in agreement with the organization “Coalition Access”. UTPL is acting as Technical Operational Secretary of the Observatory. Since 2005 we have been working on the project “Education for peace”, in which children and youth in Loja are educated to resolve conflicts by applying mediation and arbitration techniques. The IV Congress Forum for Coeducation and Peace Culture was held at UTPL in October 2006, with the support of the Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación de Chile. More than 400 people attended from all over Latin America. As a result of the Congress at UTPL, the IberoAmerican Institute of Education for Peace and Non-Violence (IIEPAZ) was established.

Specialized services: • Mediation and arbitration in the Center for Analysis and Conflict Resolution (CENARC). • Training in mediation and arbitration. • Education for peace. • Legal consulting. • Office of legal practicum in the Higher Law Court of Loja.

Offices of CENARC in the Higher Court of Law

The target population for these services is people with few economic resources. In addition we have agreements with the District Attorneys’ Office, National Judiciary Council and Office of Public Defenders, to provide internships for Law students in the offices of the District Attorney and the Law Courts of Ecuador.

Offices of CENARC at UTPL

IIEPAZ IBERO-AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION FOR PEACE AND NON-VIOLENCE The Ibero-American Institute of Education for Peace and Non-Violence (IIEPAZ) is a non-profit entity of institutions that understand the need to promote and strengthen the teaching, investigation and practice of the concepts and practices of education for peace as a tool of social change. IIEPAZ was set up on October 26th, 2006, during the IV HispanoLatin-American Forum on Inter-Cultural education and Peace Culture (FHILCPAZ): “Inter-Culturalism, Gender and Human Rights” held on the UTPL Campus. It has the support of the University of Granada, the Metropolitan University of Sciences of Education (Chile), and the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, where it is based. UTPL is responsible for the Executive Office, through the Center for Analysis and Conflict Resolution (CENARC). Its vision is to empower research for peace as a key element in the social construction of peace. Its mission is to promote and disseminate education and training programs on educational topics for peace and active non-violence. Its objectives: • To develop research initiatives for peace in an environment of education and active non-violence. • To advise and intervene in initiatives and educational projects for peace and active non-violence. • To support the creation and strengthening of institutional networks for the promotion of education for peace and active non-violence. On the web site www.iiepaz.org may be found articles, notices, events, interviews, forums, and other materials related to the topics of peace and non-violence; the articles are compiled and published in a journal each semester. Members of IIEPAZ may be representatives of public or private, national or international institutions of higher education, organizations or other entities.

IV Hispanic-American Forum of Inter-Cultural Education and Peace Culture

At this time there are two ongoing local projects, one is the transmission of a weekly program , “A space for peace”, by Radio Loja, in which topics connected with peace and the construction of non-violence are discussed by professionals from different points of view. There is also a weekly electronic and printed newsletter which covers the same topics.

ILFAM LATIN-AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF THE FAMILY

This is an inter-institutional initiative that originated in the VII National Congress of Catholic Education: “The Role of the Catholic School in restoring the Ecuadorian family”, held in Loja, from November 5th-11th, 2006. On the basis of the valuable contributions of the congress on this subject, several of the participating institutions decided to form a LatinAmerican Institute of the Family to generate ideas and actions to strengthen the family as the nucleus of a rich life pattern, and generate and develop a culture informed by the highest Christian values. The founders are institutions such as: the Ecuadorian Confederation of Catholic Education Establishments (CONFEDEC), the Inter-American Confederation of Catholic Education (CIEC), the International Office of Catholic Education (OIEC), and UTPL. UTPL is leader of this project, through the Office of University Missions, carrying out the activities of the executive office of the Institute. This project has become a reality thanks to the commitment of professor volunteers who offer to be trained to work in this area. It is important to emphasize that one must first work with one’s own family, we cannot “sell advice” or “recipes” unless they come out of one’s own experience of being a family, only then does ILFAM gain vitality and do our families become stronger. The institute’s priorities are to work in particular areas, such as: • Reflection: the aim is to study the general key areas of the family through forums, meetings, symposia, etc. • Education: offering practical training based on specific needs, and designing graduate study courses on particular aspects of the family. • Research: studying and analyzing the reality of family life to discover its strengths and weaknesses, in order to be able to offer appropriate solutions for the concrete problems that affect it, based on fundamental principles and values. • Consulting: the Institute receives and responds to requests for orientation from people and entities who wish to take part in helping to develop the values and fundamental principles inherent to family life. The following have taken part in training: Padre Ramón Rivas, Secretary General of CIEC, Padre Gilberto Gómez, Secretary General of CENPAFAL, and Dr. Ana María León. A portal has been created (www.ilfam.org) to offer information on the theme of “Family”. With this portal it is hoped to have a Latin-American space in the short term, and a world space in the long term, for all the institutions that are working on the topic of the family: the aim is to carry out in-depth research and act as a reference by providing links to specialists.

RESEC RESEARCH AND ENGLISH SERVICES CENTER

The aim of this center is to improve the level of competency in the English language of instructors and students at all levels.

Lines of research: 1. Culture and linguistics 2. New technologies in the teaching of English as a foreign language In 2005 RESEC undertook to host the National Congress of Professors of English TEFL, an event that attracted more than 400 professors and students of the English language from the whole of Ecuador. UTPL is also the only Ecuadorian university that is accredited to give the TOEFL and EXADEP examinations, which are essential for anyone who wishes to take up studies at a foreign institution. In 2006 this CITTES initiated the project “New Generation English”, in which 3,000 students and 20 instructors are receiving high quality academic education in English through the use of the new information and communication technologies.

Computer laboratory for English

In the same year RESEC began the process of certification of teachers of English, with the support of Nova Southeastern University. With this program, UTPL will be the only university in the country to offer a postgraduate degree that is both American and Ecuadorian. All these projects are being implemented by means of strategic alliances with national and international institutions such as the Alliance Française, the Educational Testing Service, Nova Southeastern University, World Teach and AIESEC. Amongst other services, RESEC offers translation of printed documents, simultaneous translations, courses in French, and courses in Spanish as a foreign language.

National Congress of Professors of English, 2005

Spanish Language and Literature

This is a center for analysis, study, research, promotion and dissemination of the language and literature and other humanist aspects of our culture. Its goal is to cover every dimension of literary studies, from textual criticism and literary theory to the relationship of works and authors in the historical, cultural and social setting. This CITTES is concerned with the training of scholars and critics able to combine original and autonomous research with teaching and the practice of specialized criticism.

Lines of research: • Basic linguistic research • Dialectology and linguistics of Loja • Cultural anthropology During the course of 2005 this CITTES worked on the reproduction of 8,000 copies of the works of the most outstanding literary authors of Loja, as a contribution to the project “Culture of Loja”. Another part of the same project is the publication of the Complete Works of the writer Ángel Felicísimo Rojas, from Loja. A total of 3,000 copies were printed in this initiative, which is internationally renowned because of the fame and superlative quality of Rojas’ work. In 2006 the CITTES developed a teacher-training project named: “The training of Reading Mediators”. More than 350 teachers from elementary and middle schools benefited from the initiative, which was supported by the Ministry of Education and Culture and which is now a promotion requirement for the teachers of Ecuador.

Bi-national meeting of writers

Launching of the works of Ángel Felicísimo Rojas

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CETTIA TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND AGRO-INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH CENTER

This is a technology transfer center intended to strengthen the research, extension and services of UTPL to the agro-industrial and food production area. It was created in 1999 as a link between the research and technology generated in UTPL and the needs of people in the agro-industrial sector.

Lines of research: • • • •

Use and commercialization of fruits and vegetables Food chemistry Food quality and security Engineering of agro-industrial and chemical products and processes • Natural products

These lines of research are developed through the three areas that comprise this CITTES: the CETTIA-UTPL Laboratory, the ECOLAC Dairy Plant and the National Products Plant. Some of CETTIA’s interests involve the use of natural resources, food safety, and the improvement of the processes of food production and conservation of quality. CETTIA seeks to connect with government and productive sectors of the country, and thus contribute to agro-industrial and food production development. Technical assistance administrative offices

In 2004 the CETTIA Laboratory obtained accreditation under ISO 17025, which is granted nationally by the Organization of Ecuadorian Accreditation and internationally by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA).

Laboratory of Instrumental Methods

As a result of this accreditation CETTIA is empowered to execute analyses of foods, waters, soils and pesticides; as well as bromatological and microbiological analysis, with a parameter of 80 assays in the different areas. In Ecuador there are five laboratories accredited by ISO 17025, three of which are located in Quito, one in Guayaquil and CETTIA in Loja. Since 2006 we have been working on a project of institutional cooperation and services in collaboration with the City of Loja, in which our laboratory performs analyses of foodstuffs sold in the city, which are checked and sampled by personnel from the Loja Office of Hygiene.

Organic cultivation, UTPL agro-ecological station

This project is part of the line of research on food security, and is complemented by the education of its instructors in the Masters of Food Technology at the University of Agriculture La Molina, Peru. There are other postgraduate educational processes which are also giving impetus to research in CETTIA, for example: • “Technologies for the use of Non-traditional Natural Resources”, through an agreement with the University of Pavia – Italy. • Doctorate in “Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology”, through an agreement with the University of Pavia – Italy. • Doctoral program “Physics of Fluids and Dynamic Systems” at the Distance Education University of Spain.

ECOLAC DAIRY PLANT

The “Ecolac Dairy Plant” is an academic production and research unit, working on dairy products. It was established in 1983 as a pilot plant, originally conceived as a complement to the education of students in the Agricultural Industries Program. Two years later its product range was extended to include cheese, yoghurt and dairy cream, which were sold in the Canton of Loja with the brand name “La Colina”.

Collection center of Ecolac – Zamora Province

Later, in 1997, with the help of the Japanese Government, four collection centers were set up in the Province of Zamora Chinchipe, at which point production was orientated to social assistance and a broader system of commercialization. In 1999 the Dairy Plant took the name of Ecolac as part of a change of image and as a result of its growth in the province. The name arose from a desire to promote an ecological production system that attempts to eliminate waste as far as possible. The aim of Ecolac is to optimize its processes so as to generate economically sustainable and environmentfriendly production. Starting from this premise, Ecolac orients its activities around two main lines of research:

Productive farm in Zamora Chinchipe

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1. Milk and milk derivatives and 2. Alimentary quality and security The latter is seen in the training of dairy farmers of Loja and Zamora Chinchipe in regard to pasture management and production techniques, in the so-called “Milk Network” project, which has been offered since 2000 by instructor-researchers from the Area of Biology of the University. Ecolac works with around 200 small and medium-sized milk producers in the provinces of Loja and Zamora Chinchipe, generating sources of continuous income for them. It processes about 8,200 liters of milk per day, with which it meets 46% of the local market requirement for fresh milk.

Unloading area for raw materials

ECOLAC supports 203 milk producers in Loja and Zamora Chinchipe and processes about 8200 liters of milk per day.

Since 2004, the plant has experienced considerable growth with regard to the acceptance of the Ecolac products, obtaining first place in preference from the consumers of Loja and Zamora Chinchipe. We foresee that this growth will continue, due to the implementation of one of the most recent products of the CITTES, a system of best manufacturing practices, with which we aim to optimize the processes and therefore the quality of the products generated by the plant, so as to achieve a higher level of quality and acceptance, which will enable us in future to enter new and larger markets.

Partial view of Ecolac production plant

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C.B.C.M CENTER FOR CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

This research laboratory uses the tools of genetics, molecular biology, cellular biology and bio-informatics for the study of the biodiversity of Ecuador. Its objective is to investigate the management and conservation of Ecuadorian biodiversity, in addition to exploring its applications in the biomedical, industrial and environmental fields. It was established as a laboratory of cellular and molecular biology. Over time, medical, chemical and biochemical professionals were added to the research groups. These scientists initiated new research in the area of biomedicine and biodiversity, including studies of plants, animals, microorganisms and humans.

Lines of research: 1. Biomedicine: includes the study of toxicology, population genetics and virology.

* Genotoxicity and anti-tumor agents The research objectives are to study new substances with anti-cancer activity in Ecuadorian plants and to evaluate genotoxic substances. Thanks to the support from different national and international universities, we are working on a project in the field of human genetics and cancer treatment in collaboration with the SOLCA hospital in Loja. Currently we are working on evaluating the status of genes as solid tumors originate and progress and in hematological disorders common in Ecuador, by means of DNA testing and molecular cytogenetics (FISH). Since 2005 the presence of active anti-cancerous agents in Ecuadorian flora has been investigated. This project is being undertaken jointly with the Plant of Natural Products and the University of Pavía.

* Population and virology studies The objectives of this line of investigation are to determine how to use DNA to study the incidence of certain diseases, and to characterize viruses. Plant micro-propagation unit

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Cellular analysis area

2. Biodiversity: studies fungi and mycorrhizae, conservation genetics and microbial biotechnology. This line of research includes projects in the following areas: * Microbial biotechnology This is a study of bacterial and fungal species with the goal of verifying their potential application to certain fields of Biotechnology. The aim of this study is to improve the recuperation of metals using biolixiviation and biooxidation in order to reduce their environmental impact. Currently we are working with the Center for Investigation and Development in Industrial Fermentation (CINDEFI) of the Universidad Nacional de la Plata, Argentina. - Molecular systems of plants In this line of research we implemented the project “Isoenzymatic characterization of the germoplasm bank of Vasconcelleas sp”, which was completed in 2005. * Mycorrhizae and fungal systems The objectives of this line of research are the study of mycorrhizae (plantfungi associations) and fungal systems. Since 2004 we have been carrying out a study on the spatial distribution of epiphyte orchids, in which we investigate the exact locations of this type of orchid, using a tract of high altitude cloud forest as a reference.

Partial view of orchidarium

In this study around 4,000 species of epiphyte orchids were found to exist in Ecuador, which are in danger of disappearing, due to the indiscriminate logging of trees, the removal of forest plants and their illegal commercialization. The CBCM therefore undertook an investigation into epiphyte orchids, their location, and their reproduction via in-vitro cultivation in order to preserve the species and take maximum advantage of its properties. These studies connect the University to society through activities designed to preserve the ecosystems of Southern Ecuador.

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The Natural Products Plant

The Natural Products Plant (PPN) is part of the Center for AgroIndustrial Technology Transfer and Research – CETTIA, and investigates the development of the sectors of community agricultural production, industrialization and the commercialization of promising species. The plant carries out the extraction of essential oils, the harvesting of suitable products for the phyto-pharmaceutical industry, the development of raw material for particular industries, physical and chemical studies on quality control, and identification of biologically active species; one component of this unit is to stimulate the agricultural production of species in order to obtain vegetable material of certified quality.

Production of natural fiber paper

Its mission is the investigation and generation of technology that is useful for the management and use of the national resources of the region and the country, encouraging projects for social development and productive management through the exploitation of plants with medicinal, cosmetic or alimentary interest in the Loja area.

Natural products plant – UTPL

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Natural products plant – UTPL

Its lines of research are based on the evaluation of biological activity and phyto-chemistry of medicinal and aromatic plants. The main objective of this line of research is to discover secondary metabolites with medicinal properties, especially substances that manifest anti-microbial and antigenotoxic activity and inhibit tumor growth. The services offered by PPN are focused mainly on consultations in different areas, such as, for example: extraction, rectification and analysis by CG-EM of essential oils; extraction of resinous oils and preparation of products for use in foods, studies of the bioactivity of medicinal plants, extraction of natural dyes (carmine, anthocyanins, chlorophylls, etc.) for alimentary use, post-harvest procedures for medicinal and aromatic plants. The development of new products and the improvement of current products are also included. In its “Pro-essences” line, PPN also offers essential oils of rosemary, cypress, roses, mint, lemon verbena and others. Among the projects carried out by PPN is the search for active anti-cancerous agents in Ecuadorian flora financed by FUNDACYT. This is a study of the medicinal species used by indigenous communities, which fosters the use of phyto-pharmaceuticals for the treatment of diseases of an ethnoepidemiological nature. In 2006 two projects were carried out: the first “Bioactivity of essential oils and extracts of medicinal and aromatic plants of Southern Ecuador”, jointly with FUNDACYT, a phyto-chemical and bioactivity study of 20 medicinal plants from Loja and Zamora Chinchipe; and project CYTED IV.20: “Normalization of natural products obtained from species of the aromatic flora of Latin America”, which were developed in collaboration with laboratories in eight other countries in Latin America, plus Spain and Portugal.

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IDA INSTITUTE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENT

The raison d’être of IDA is to assist society in improving the quality of life; not only for human beings, but also for other animal, vegetable and mineral species that inhabit the earth. IDA is charged with everything regarding the environment: evaluations and studies of environmental impact, monitoring, ecological insect control, etc. The idea on which IDA is based is that all the CITTES should be connected to the study and discussion of the topic of the environmental. “El Colibri” refuge, Podocarpus National Park

IDA is the response to the need for an environment that can be lived in, and where living beings can find the best possible space to live their lives. Based on the field of applied ecology, IDA works on the following lines of research: 1. 2. 3.

Restoration of habitats Territorial management Bio-remediation or evaluation of environmental impacts.

The projects developed by IDA are long-term, for example, the effects of reforestation or restoration of habitats in Loja and Zamora, will be seen in 15, 20 and 30 years. Amazonian Forest, Province of Zamora

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Another project provides training for the Association of Municipalities of Ecuador (AME). In the first phase more than 130 representatives of the country’s municipalities were trained on basic topics regarding the management of green spaces, ecology and biology. Currently the Foundation for Science and Technology (FUNDACYT) is financing a project to restore habitats, which will be carried out in the provinces of Loja and Zamora Chinchipe. The project will take three years, during which time the different ecosystems that exist in both provinces will be studied. With this basic information, species will be chosen for different fields of scientific investigation that fulfill two objectives: they are environmentally friendly and they are useful to society. This project will enable forestation, restoration and agro-forest systems programs to be carried out.

“Chamusquin” biological station.

Four of the IDA instructor-researchers are working in the area of Chamusquin (province of Loja) on the spatial distribution of species and the dynamics in continuously monitored plots. Another group is investigating insects associated with a species of great importance for crops, Caesalpinia spinosa. In the area of service, conservation and preservation, the goal of IDA is to serve as a link between other institutions and the population, so as to develop restoration, conservation and environmental education projects.

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Services related to agriculture and dairy farming

This is a research center that is connected to the community through its research in the agriculture and dairy farming sector. Since its inception in June, 2006, it has been a reference for best practices in agriculture in the province of Loja. One of its activities is to focus on research into techniques of phytopathology and animal pathology in the countryside. This CITTES of services related to agriculture and dairy farming comprises two areas: the first one being the UTPL Agro-Ecological Station and the second the Laboratory of Agriculture and Dairy Farming Services. UTPL agro-ecological station

Both areas converge in their ecologically and conservation based research on plant and animal production, which promotes the optimization of the resources of the agro-ecosystems. The Laboratory of Services to agriculture and dairy farming offers diagnostic services and disease control for plants and animals. These services enable research on these pathologies to be undertaken in parallel. The following are some of the services offered: • • • •

Diagnosis and control of phyto-pathological diseases Diagnosis and control in animal pathology Diagnosis of diseases in forest fauna Support of controls of illegal traffic in forest fauna

Research and projects Since July 2006 this CITTES has been studying the Teniasis-Cysticercosis complex in the Espíndola and Amaluza cantons, (province of Loja), with the support of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Since September 2006 a training program has been carried out for the National Army, regarding the appropriate use and management of the Army’s agricultural land. The purpose of training is to build alliances with institutions connected to the field of agriculture and dairy farming and to promote the application of good agricultural practices in general. The Agro-Ecological Station also investigates alternatives in the production of plant and animal species, offering the following services: • Training in the management and conservation of water for irrigation • Agro-ecological crop production • Small animal husbandry • Design and implementation of agricultural farms

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Plant Eco-Physiology

The objective of this unit is to carry out physiological and ecological research into the native species of Southern Ecuador, and into the conservation and management of these plants. It comprises 4 areas: • • • •

Germoplasm bank Plant physiology laboratories Greenhouse Herbarium

These areas unfold their activities around the following lines of research:

UTPL germoplasm bank

• Ecology of communities and conservation in situ: phenology and seed sources; population ecology and modeling of regeneration, reforestation and reproductive ecology • Mathematical modeling of biological processes • Ethno-botany • Landscape ecology In collaboration with the Politechnical University or Madrid (UPM), a Doctoral Program is being carried out in cooperation with the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM). The theme of this doctoral program is focused on the management and conservation of natural resources in the provinces of Loja and Zamora Chinchipe. These resources will be useful as germplasm sources that will allow us to conserve habitats through the use of living banks. This CITTES has a germoplasm bank that is certified at national level to document and validate seeds from seed sources. The germoplasm bank is one of the most advanced and complete plant micro-propagation laboratories in Ecuador, and possesses the most varied collection of orchids from both rainforests and dry forests.

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Medical Sciences

This unit was founded in 2004 in order to respond, in an efficient way, to the health needs of the community. In addition, it implements medical research in different areas.

Lines of research: • • • • • •

Family medicine Primary care Public and community health Humanization of health Management and administration of health Tele-medicine

The CITTES of Medical Sciences is a medical center for the population of the provinces of Loja and Zamora Chinchipe, and supports the education of the students in the School of Medicine with regard to patient care, diagnostics and treatment. Currently more than 3,000 patients are served by the Unit of Family and Community Medicine, which works in the areas of teaching and research, training and rural medicine. This CITTES is in charge of the project “University Hospital”, which is intended to involve instructors and students of medicine in tasks relating to medical care.

Community medicine Diagram of the operation of the Tele-medicine Network

The aim of the Hospital is to contribute to the wellbeing of the family in southern Ecuador. It is also a center for medical research and for continuously updating the knowledge of professors and students by means of the latest technological equipment. Among the services offered by the University Hospital are:

Medical services: • Emergency care • Operating theater • General surgery laparoscopy • Intensive care unit • Labor unit • Anesthesiology

External consulting: • •

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Internal medicine Pediatrics

and

SOLCA Building, where the UTPL University Hospital is located

• Gynecology – Obstetrics • Psychology • Family medicine • Surgery

University Hospital – Infirmary

Diagnostic area: • • • •

Diagnostic imaging Cardiology Clinical laboratory Ambulatory care

One of the problem areas that this CITTES hopes to resolve is the precarious state of the technology available for patients in the rural communities in particular; its goal is therefore to promote integrated care. The CITTES of Medical Sciences does not limit its work to the biological aspects of medical care, but includes the psychological, social and even spiritual fields, i.e. bio-psychosocial treatment, for its patients. In 2006 the “Telemedicine” project was inaugurated, by means of which services and medical information are transmitted to the rural communities of Eastern Ecuador, through computer technologies. This project enables doctors who have rural practices in communities that are far from the urban centers to maintain their continuous education processes, through clinical case discussions, bibliographic reviews and other current topics.

Unit of Family Medicine

The services currently being offered in the “Telemedicine” project are telediagnosis and specialized consultations through the videoconferencing system. UTPL is one of the first universities in the country to enter this field. This project includes two geographic areas to date: El Pangui, (Tundaime, Pachicutza, El Sarta and El Pindo sectors); and Yacuambi (Tutupaly, La Paz, Esperanza and Jembuenza sectors).

Mobile unit of rural medicine

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Institute of sustainable soil management

The mission of this CITTES is framed by the desire of the University to offer clear alternatives in the technical and sustainable management of the soil. This CITTES was established with the aim of offering the farmers of Southern Ecuador clear and realistic alternatives in achieving sustainable production without jeopardizing the environmental future. No institution in Ecuador carries out soil analysis, hence the need for technical assistance that is integrated with the requirements of agricultural practice of the country.

Research and projects The Institute of Sustainable Soil Management focuses on three areas: the first one is agronomic, on the relationships between plants and soil, and how the nutrients in the soil are released. The second focus refers to water and the erosion of the soil: and the third refers to the study of the subsoil. From the biological point of view there are four lines of research: environmental geology, erosion, water and soil quality. Currently this CITTES is conducting a joint investigation with the Technological University of Dresden (Germany) and the German Research Foundation (DFG) on the dynamics of soil nutrients, in which it is hoped to analyze how nutrients flow from the forest to the pasture under different treatment scenarios. Students working in the field

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In September 2006 this CITTES held its First Summer School: “Latin American Summer School, Advanced Scientific Training” at UTPL, directed by investigators from the Area of Biology. 20 internationally renowned professors from Germany participated as presenters, and the students came from Mexico, El Salvador, Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Chile and Argentina. The event was endorsed by the Robert Bosch Foundation, of Germany, the UTPL , Dresden International University and the Research Unit.

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Honoris Causa

DOCTORES HONORIS CAUSA 1971 Oskar Jandl An Italian citizen, whose vocation in the service of world education enabled him to maintain a broad relationship with the Ecuadorian Marist Community, with whom he worked to plan and contribute to a large part of the initial physical structure of the University. One of the buildings in the central part of today’s university campus bears his name.

1998 Fernando Rielo Pardal A Spaniard, possessor of profound mystical thought; his invaluable support for culture and science expressed itself in his desire that the thinking of Christ should preside over university scholarship. His work reveals the concept of man being not for himself, and not for the world, but for his Creator. In the year 2005, the Office of University Missions inaugurated the Fernando Rielo Chair at UTPL; a place for the study of his thought and his great humanist legacy.RIS CAUSA

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Honoris Causa PROFESSORS HONORIS CAUSA

Dr. Franz Makenschin Director of the Institute of Soil Science and Site Ecology, of the Faculty of Forest Sciences at the University of Dresden, Germany. His contribution to research in biology has been important for the development of biological sciences at UTPL. The University of Dresden receives visiting students from UTPL who are guided by the research group over which he presides.

Dr. Lorenzo García Aretio Dean of the Faculty of Education of UNED. Doctor of Education Sciences, holder of the UNESCO Chair for Distance Education. His book: “From Theory to Practice” endorses his vision and knowledge, and he is therefore fundamental to the consolidation of the process of international accreditation of Distance Education at UTPL.

Dr. Armando Villarroel Doctor of Sociology (Michigan State University), he has written a number of books and articles in Spanish and English. He was distinguished with a Recognition of Merit for the establishment of exemplary academic alliances by Penn State University in 2001. He has consulted for the World Bank. Two of his most important publications are “Operative aspects of distance education universities”, 1987, and “Distance education at UNA and in Latin America”, 1987.

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Dr. Mario Camacho Cardona Doctor of Architecture and Urbanism, from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. A member of the National Council on Science and Technology. He has published a number of volumes on urbanistic terminology, history and urban theory: “Diccionario de arquitectura y urbanismo” (1998), “Historia Urbana Novohispánica del siglo XVI” (2000) and “Hacia una teoría del espacio. Reflexión fenomenológica sobre el ambiente” (2002), amongst others. He has been Professor Honoris Causa at the UTPL School of Architecture since 2005.

Dra. Beatriz Álvarez

UTPL..

She has given considerable support to the strengthening of doctorates in the field of Education. Her vision in the CREAD-Andes Project, and her knowledge of distance education, have been of major impact for the development of

Dr. César Pérez Ruiz Chair of the Department of Plant Biology, Higher Technical School of Agronomic Engineering, Polytechnic University of Madrid. He has collaborated with UTPL on the offering of ”sandwich” doctoral programs to university professors, becoming a promoter and pioneer of this project at the Polytechnic University of Madrid where many of our doctors are educated.

Lic. María de Lourdes Luque Bachelor of Social Sciences from UTPL, Master of Business Administration from the Escuela Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL). She was named Minister for the Environment on May 4th, 2001, by executive decree No. 1480

Dr. Erwin Beck Professor and investigator of the Department of Forest Genetics at the University of Bayreuth, Germany, and the German Program of Research in Tropical Mountain Ecology.

Quiroz (+)

Arq.

Édison

Vanegas

Graduated in Architecture from UTPL, former Director of the School of Architecture and former Director of the Unit of Architectural Design and Research.

Ing. Héctor Ramírez Loaiza (+) Engineer in Agricultural Industries, graduate of UTPL. Former Director of the School of Agricultural Industries Engineering.

Mons. Hugolino Cerasuolo Stacey Bishop of the Diocese of Loja. He was educated in the Franciscan Order. He was auxiliary Bishop of Guayaquil for ten years and Bishop of the Diocese of Loja for 22 years.

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University Missions

These constitute a central axis in the fostering, coordination and tutelage of the authentic spirit of the Catholic University of Loja in its constant search for the truth. At UTPL, “Missions” signifies the voice of the gospel and service, and creates a space for us, as a community, to achieve our dreams and carry out the ideal of the “restoration of humanity”. Their activities involve the entire university family: instructors, administrators, workforce and students, inspired by the ideal that Christ’s thinking should preside over university scholarship, and hence transmit authentic values and the light of the gospel to society. University Missions work in seven areas: • • • • • • •

Academic Social Humanist – cultural External relations Spiritual development Distance modality Student office

Through these areas the UTPL fosters a critical spirit and active participation in the university community through cultural and public events, such as:

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Isla Isabela

Isla San Cristobal

Orellana

Manta

Azogues

Provinces by Mission Provinciascovered que cubre Misión Ecuador País

The Thomas Moore Humanist Prize: An annual event that recognizes those among the students, employees and instructors who have been outstanding in their humanist spirit, as reflected in characteristic and personal experiences of solidarity, leadership and investigation. Solidarity campaigns: A continuous activity involving the larger university family in donations of clothing, medicine and food for those who need them; as well as books and other academic materials for different schools. “Fernando Rielo” Chair: Based on study of and reflection on the spiritual wealth of the thought of Fernando Rielo Pardal, founder of the Community of Idente Missionaries. Days for Reflection: A bi-monthly time for reflection, which unites the whole university community to consider aspects of the personal and professional education of the instructor, centered in Christian Humanism.

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University Missions

Mission Ecuador: An annual activity whose fundamental intention is to bring evangelization and social action to the most country’s vulnerable communities, at the same time raising the social conscience of young LatinAmerican professionals. This activity has been undertaken in Ecuador since it was initiated by UTPL in 2004. Mission Ecuador attracts the participation of more than 600 young people annually from this country and Latin America in general. Mission Ecuador works in 18 of the 22 provinces of the country. These missions serve as a training school for the young, which enables them to experience the reality of people living in very depressed areas, as a result of which they feel called to pledge their lives to human and social development. For many young people the missions have been a personal encounter with Christ whom they have encountered in the simplicity and generosity of people who lack even the basic means to cover their needs, and to live in a manner that befits their human dignity. Other activities are: Nativity scene competitions, urban and rural missions, projects with migrants, and voluntary work.

Family education

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In November 2006 the Latin-American Institute of the Family was founded, at the VII Congress of Catholic Education “The Role of the Catholic School in restoring the Ecuadorian family”; the executive office is based at UTPL. The objective of the Institute is to generate a place for support and reflection in response to the primary needs of the family from an integral perspective, and to strengthen the nuclear family with values that will help its members to develop their human condition. All of these activities are predicated on active participation and mutual respect for beliefs and personal ideologies, as well as being an example of Christian humanist values. This whole topic is part of the principle of “promoting the people” in order that they may develop their economic, social, humanist and spiritual possibilities, based on the university commitment to the development of society.

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Cultural Management

The Unit of Cultural Management was founded in order to stage different cultural events. Through this Unit, the university community interacts with society, with the research and implementation of cultural projects under the umbrella of a central topic, namely the “Culture of Loja Project”. We intend to recreate and recuperate the unique cultural expressions of Loja and its province, making yesterday into a pathway that we travel today and that will build the tomorrow of our culture. Cultural Management undertakes its activities around six components that define its raison d’être:

Artistic Groups: Entirely composed by students from the different University schools. There are 12 groups who perform modern dance, choir, theater, chamber music, folk music and dancing, and give national and international performances.

Archaeology: In this area the construction, implementation and

operationalization of the museographic and museological plans for the UTPL’s “Museum of Archaeology and Loja Culture” were carried out, as well as the research. This component also includes the Petroglyph project, which has been Museum of Archaeology and Loja Culture

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working since 2001 on sites in the Province of Loja where rock art has been discovered.

Cultural Inventory: In this component there has been a process of

recreation of the traditional architectural values that decorated nineteenth century Loja, which are displayed in billboard dimensions in the Museum of Archaeology and Loja Culture. Ongoing historical research is being carried out on church altars and facades, and the native orchids and birds of Loja.

Photographic archive: UTPL possesses an extensive photographic

archive, with pieces that date from the beginning of the Twentieth Century, which is being used as a basis for the cultural ethnographic research being undertaken by the University.

Publications: This component is being carried out through the issue or reissue of literary works by authors from Loja, in three phases: Early Loja, Loja in Transition and Contemporary Loja.

In the project “Literature of Loja, 2005” 12 authors and 120,000 books were published, and in “Literature of Loja, 2006”, 12 authors with a print run of 95,000 books.

Living Memory: A documentary series of famous personalities from Loja, who played an important part in the cultural development of the country. Twelve documentaries have been produced so far in 2007.

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Internationalization

Think globally, act locally, is the vision of the international process of the UTPL. International alliances, bi-national projects, participation in networks, agreements, consultancies and study abroad for instructors and students are its strategies. The management of this university dimension is carried out institutionally and comprises: • University management with an open attitude to the world

Meeting of Latin-American pastoral staff PUC-CHILE

• Instructors: seeking to improve the quality of its teaching staff, the unit has signed agreements for study abroad, exchanges of instructors and doctoral programs with universities in a number of countries; entities that offer traditional and distance education, with processes of applied research and oriented towards the solution of local needs. • Students: These are educated to be professionals with international vision and validation, as the unit generates processes of student mobility, with flexible curricula, as well as evaluations and accreditations of an international nature. • The universality of culture • University programs for Ecuadorians living abroad

Stages of internationalization of the UTPL

EADTU Conference 2006, Tallin, Estonia

• In the first instance there is a visit by instructor-researchers from UTPL to other universities and projects in different countries to discover the differences and the stage of development in each of their specializations and programs. At this point a possibility exists and, at the same time, a self-evaluation of our own situation and proposals about possible improvements are carried out. In 2006 alone, a total of 1,089 instructors, administrative employees and students took part in international academic events, and 170 of these attended conferences and courses outside the country. • The second step is a visit to UTPL by academics, investigators, groups of publishers, executors of projects, etc. in order to develop a vision of the type of program considered, and also the current and future possibilities of initiating cooperative relationships.

Anniversary of the Associate Center of New York

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The wealth of international cooperation experienced may be seen in the following table:

COUNTRY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Canada United States Mexico North America Costa Rica El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Nicaragua Panama Central America Argentina Bolivia Brazil Chile Colombia Paraguay Perú Uruguay Venezuela South America Cuba Puerto Rico Dominican Republic

AGREEMENTS 2 14 6 22 1 0 1 0 0 2 4 4 3 3 6 1 9 0 1 31 0 0 3

COOPERATION TOTAL 9 30 31 70 9 5 3 2 3 22 40 13 21 19 38 1 43 4 12 191 8 3 7

11 44 37 92 10 0 5 4 2 3 24 44 17 24 22 44 2 52 4 13 222 8 3 10

Arts Group from UTPL on international tour

CREAD Conference in Venezuela

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Internationalization COUNTRY 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34

Caribbean Germany Belgium Spain France Italy Portugal United Kingdom Russia Europe Australia Egypt Africa China Japan Malaysia Asia

TOTAL

AGREEMENTS 3 4 1 15 0 7 0 0 0 27 0 1 1 0 0 0 0

COOPERATION TOTAL 18 13 3 35 1 6 4 1 1 64 1 1 1 3 2 1 6

373

21 17 4 50 1 13 4 1 1 91 1 2 2 3 2 1 6

459

In the course of the year 2007, UTPL has signed 28 national and 23 international agreements so far. • In a third phase, the instructor-researchers of UTPL are studying at Masters and Doctorate level, as well as carrying out research and extension, in foreign universities, as part of international projects. At the moment there are 171 instructors studying for doctorates part-time in different universities around the world. In this way the flexibility of the curriculum is bearing its first fruits, while fulfilling the ideals of the UTPL that the university should cease to be a marginal element in the development of nations, but generate applied research and provide external consultation with an emphasis on the local situation, at the same time reinforcing the co-responsibility of the different teams. For this reason, the final dissertations of these instructors are implemented in the CITTES and applied in the national context. • The ultimate goal of postgraduate studies is to foster the spirit of science and to consider science from every point of view, not only in its immediate relevance but also with regard to the totality of knowledge.

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For this reason there are constant visitors from overseas at the University in Loja and there is a program of short overseas stays for instructorresearchers from UTPL at international universities.

From this perspective the UTPL has forged key alliances with the following universities, amongst others: GERMANY: University of Dresden, University of Tübingen. SPAIN: Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Universidad Oberta de Catalunya, Universidad de Córdoba, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Universidad de Granada, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia . ITALY: University of Pavia, University of Florence. MEXICO: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Universidad de Guadalajara, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana. CHILE: Pontifica Universidad Católica de Chile. USA: Nova Southeastern University, University of North Carolina, University of San Diego, CA, Educational Testing Service ETS. BRAZIL: Universidad Católica de Brasilia, Universidad Estadual de Londrina. COLOMBIA: Universidad “San Pablo CEU”- Bogotá, Universidad del Rosario, Universidad Santo Tomás, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana de Cali, Universidad de los Andes. CANADA: Technologie Minerale de Cégep, Thetford. PERU: Universidad de Piura, Universidad Inca Garcilazo de la Vega, Universidad de San Marcos, Universidad Agraria “La Molina”, Universidad Nacional de Piura, Universidad Nacional de Tumbes. An additional 459 national and international agreements have been signed and are still in force in 2007. Another key factor in the process of the internationalization of the UTPL is the opening of our own University Centers outside Ecuador.

Meeting of CAL-ED

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Internationalization

After three decades of intense academic activity, the UTPL established its International Centers in order to take care of the immediate academic needs of Latin-American emigrants living in the United States and Europe, whose urgent need to begin or, in some cases, to continue their professional education, without abandoning their employment commitments in the countries where they reside, finds its best options in UTPL’s distance education programs. Under this premise, UTPL created its three international centers in New York, Madrid and Rome. The first of these began its academic activities in October 1998. Two years later, in December 2000, the International Center of Rome was founded, with sub-centers in Genoa and Milan.

Meeting of BID Project

In the same year the International Center in Madrid was established, which receives students from cities such as Murcia, Valencia, Barcelona and other countries: Britain and Switzerland. Currently, more than 600 emigrants from all over Latin America study at these centers. The programs that are most in demand are Law, English and Administration of Tourism, the last of which is very sought after in Europe. In their turn the international centers of the UTPL have become meeting places for Ecuadorians and Latin Americans, fostering the conservation of our intellectual and cultural riches and exploring the culture of the countries in which they are living. The work accomplished by UTPL through these international centers is shown by the declaration from the City of Genoa, Italy, in which UTPL is recognized as a provider of “Quality university migrant education” in the year 2005, and the award of the prize for best practices for the program “Nuevos Vecinos” which is transmitted on the ATEI channel.

Participation in international networks. Inter-university cooperation and networking has achieved great results throughout history. Signature of the agreement between the UTPL and the Guanajuato Goverment

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This cooperation does not only mean receiving support from universities located in the more developed countries, which because of their history, successes and experiences, can contribute more than young universities that may be smaller and further away geographically. It is the opportunity to utilize the energy of a whole university, to learn and, above all, to

participate in projects that have “inherited” useful experiences. The training and experience acquired thanks to this north-south international cooperation enable the UTPL to prime other universities in a south-south relationship. These are universities which in themselves would not be able to build connections with more advanced systems but, by joining the international networks to which UTPL belongs, can create better academic and administrative practices. Regional, continental and world integration; communication and technology, distance education, science and technology, development networks and Catholic networks:- these are some of the areas where UTPL participates as a member. The networks to which UTPL belongs are:

NETWORK

YEAR JOINED

UTPL PARTICIPATION

BASED IN

WEB PAGE

ACADEMIC AND INTEGRATIVE NETWORKS Inter-American Organization for Higher Education IOHE Institute for University Management and Leadership IGLU The College of the Americas COLAM International Association of Universities IAU Union of Universities of Latin America and the Caribbean UDUAL Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities HACU Group of Universities RÁBIDA Association of Ibero-American Postgraduate Universities AUIP

October, 2001

Vice Presidency, Region: Andean Countries

Quebec, Canada

www.oui-iohe.qc.ca

October, 2001

Observation site of IGLU

Quebec, Canada

www.oui-iohe.qc.ca

October, 2001

Quebec, Canada

www.oui-iohe.qc.ca

August 16th, 2006

UNESCO

www.unesco.org/iau

November, 2004

Mexico D.F., Mexico

www.udual.org

April 3rd, 2006

San Antoniuo, Texas, USA

www.hacu.net

June 6th, 2003

International University of Andalucia, Spain

www.unia.es www.unia.es/grupo-la-rabida/

November, 2005

Salamanca. Spain

www.usal.es/auip

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Internationalization

Network of Regional LatinAmerican Universities UREL University Network of Continuing Education in Latin America and the Caribbean RECLA Association of Universities in the South of Ecuador and the North of Peru AUSENP Association of Amazonian Universities UNAMAZ Association of Universities of Latin America and the Caribbean for Integration AUALCPI International Federation of Catholic Universities FIUC

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1998

Chile

April 7th, 2005

Colombia

www.recla.org

Loja, Ecuador

www.lasc.umd.edu

1997

President of the Executive Committee 20042006

www.ucv.ve/ Santa Cruz, Bolivia unamazve.htm www.uagrm.edu.bo

2004

May, 1999

www.aualcpi.org

1990

Paris, France

Organization of Catholic Universities of Latin America ODUCAL

In Process

Argentina

Global Development Learning Network GDLN

July, 2000

Amazonian Initiative IA

2005

Representative in Ecuador

www.fiuc.org

Washington D.C., USA

www.gdln.org

Brazil

www.asb.cgiar.org/ia

Network of Universities of the South Pacific RUPSUR Ecuadorian Network of Private Universities CEUPA Network of Ecuadorian Universities in International Cooperation REDCI National Council of Higher Education – Ecuador CONESUP Latin-American Network for Information and Documentation in Education REDUC

www.udep.edu.pe rupsur2004@yahoo. es

January, 2001

1995

Vice President: Period 2002-2004

International University of Ecuador, Quito

January, 2006

Founding Member

Ecuador

May 3rd, 1973

Quito, Ecuador

www.conesup.net

Santiago de Chile, Chile

www.reduc.cl

DISTANCE EDUCATION NETWORKS Ibero-American Association of Higher January, 1981 Distance Education AIESAD Inter-American Corsortium for January, 1991 Distance Education CREAD International Council for Open 2003 and distance Education ICDE Virtual Educa

June, 2002

European Association of Distance Teaching Universities EADTU

In Process

Spokesman of Council of Directors

Madrid, Spain

www.uned.es/aiesad/

Member of executive board

Nova Southeastern University, USA

http://cread.outreach. psu.edu

Coordination in Ecuador

Oslo, Norway

www.icde.org

Representative in Ecuador

Spain

www.virtualeduca. org/

Holland

www.eadtu.nl

NETWORKS OF STUDENT MOBILITY

International Student Association June, 2002 AIESEC

Loja , Ecuador

www.es.aiesec.org/

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Networks of Latin-American, Caribbean and European Universities and NGO’s ORION

In Process

Argentina

www.aorion.org.ar

NETWORKS OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATION Association of Ibero-American Educational Television ATEI

Member of Board of Directors – Ecuador

2000

Ibero-American Science and December, 1998 Technology ISTEC Ecuadorian Consortium for the Development of Advanced Internet CEDIA

Madrid, Spain

Representative in Ecuador

www.istec.org

President of Network for the period Ecuador 2005-2007

www.cedia.org.ec

Latin-American and Caribbean Catholic Organization for 2003 Communication OCLACC Latin-American Federation of Faculties of Social Communication FELAFACS

www.ateiamerica. com/

http://www.oclacc. org/

24th September, 2006

Perú

www.felafacs.org

NETWORKS OF ART AND CULTURE Symposium on Rock art of Bolivia SIARB

2005

www.siarb-bolivia. org

Symposium on Rock art of Uruguay CIARU

2005

Uruguay

www.geocities. com/athens/parthenon/6994/uruguay. htm

International Council of Museums ICOM

April 4th, 2007

France

http://icom.museum

Source: Office of Inter-Institutional Relations

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Bolivia

Internationalization UTPL SITE OF NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL EVENTS EVENT XVI National Convention of Tourism October, 2003 I National Congress of Civil Engineering Students IV Ecuadorian Congress of Botany V Ibero-American Congress on Gifted and Talented Education (November 2004) Congress on Quality and International Accreditation in Higher Distance Education (October 2005) National Convention on Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) (June, 2004) II International Congress on Dry Forest, V Ecuadorian Congress on Botany, III Congress on Conservation of the Bio-diversity of the Andes and Amazonia, (October, 2005) XXI Latin-American Conference of Schools and Faculties of Architecture (CLEFA) (November, 2005) Marist Symposium VII National Congress of Catholic Education XII Congress of Continuing Education Networks of Latin America (RECLA)

No. PARTICIPANTS

PREVIOUS SITE

500 500 CIESPAL, Quito 550

Alberto Merani Institute, Bogotá, Colombia

500

400

University of Piura, Peru 570

624

UTPL

University of Bio-Bio, Chile

306 800 120

Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú

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Internationalization CHIQUITOS SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION PROJECT

Thanks to an inter-institutional cooperation agreement on technology transfer, UTPL and the San Pedro Catholic University of Bolivia - Chiquitos Campus set in motion the Chiquitos South-South Cooperation Project in 2001. According to this agreement, it was established that joint collaborative and cooperative tasks would be carried out in teaching and research, with the support of UTPL and the model of the Centers for Research, Technology Transfer, Extension and Services (CITTES), specifically with regard to the implementation of a university. San Ignacio de Velasco

One of the main features of this collaboration was the implementation of the Distance Education Modality by UTPL in Chiquitania, Bolivia. This connection also includes the development of such activities as student and professor exchanges, practical student training, and cultural dissemination through seminars, meetings, conferences, courses and publications. So a number of students from UTPL, who are graduating in a number of different fields, are preparing their dissertation projects as part of an exchange between the two universities, in order to contribute effectively to the academic, cultural and economic development of the Bolivian university. The province of Velasco is the second largest in the Department of Santa Cruz, with 65,425 square kilometers and a total population of 56,702 inhabitants. San Ignacio is the main municipal section of the province of Velasco, situated in the northeast of the Department of Santa Cruz with 41,412 inhabitants, 40% of whom are concentrated in the provincial capital. The City of San Ignacio de Velasco has around 118 indigenous communities in the rural areas. The San Pablo Catholic University - Chiquitos Campus is directed by Jesús Muñoz, an Idente missionary; for him the presence of the student interns is fundamental and indispensable. His ardent wish is that this “hot earth” will bring forth individuals with a high level of education and sense of service. The other important aspect of this great project is consultation provided by UTPL on the organization of the distance education system, with regard to the administrative, operative and management aspects, and ways to make the DE services that they already offer more effective. A number of workshops were offered to train the distance modality team on the development and management of DE study processes.

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As of March 2007, fifteen students are interning at the Bolivian Catholic University – Chiquitos, from the Agricultural Industries, Agricultural Engineering, Computer Sciences, Architecture, Business Administration, Environmental Management, Hospitality and Tourism and Social Communication Programs. Some new projects have already arisen in Chiquitos from the initiative of implementing the CITTES, and the university has already embarked on the building of a Telematics group and an agro-industry group, to carry out applied research and to have a center for training and academic updating with university rigor. The professional and personal experience acquired in these internships is genuinely transcendent, the students are filled with satisfaction, knowing that they have contributed their grain of sand to the development of a University that dreams big dreams, in the search for better days for the young graduates of Chiquitania. A particularly interesting experience is that of the students of the School of Social Communication, who with very little technology and local limitations on resources, have succeeded in disseminating the Bolivian university’s activities by means of radio and television spots that are broadcast on radio Juan XXIII and Channel 13 on television. They have also succeeded in developing the first institutional video of the university, and provided training for the area’s journalists with a course on “Journalism and Institutional Communication”, taught by videoconference from Loja.

Campus of the Bolivian Catholic University at Chiquitos

Aerial view of Chiquitania, Bolivia

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Internationalization SUMMER SCHOOL ON SUSTAINABLE LAND USE

Research unit No. 402 of the German Research Foundation (DFG) has for ten years been implementing a project entitled “Functioning of a high altitude tropical rainforest in southern Ecuador: The ecosystem, its biodiversity, its dynamic processes and its potential uses” in which around 40 study groups from a dozen German universities are participating, which is one of the largest projects realized by DFG outside Germany.

Opening ceremony

The majority of the projects are carried out in cooperation with Ecuadorian scientists, especially from the National University of Loja (UNL), Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL), Pontifica Universidad Católica del Ecuador en Quito (PUCE), the Quito Herbarium, and the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (INAMHI), with logistical support from the San Francisco Scientific Station and Fundación Naturaleza y Cultura Internacional. As part of this collaboration, UTPL and the International University of Dresden (Germany), with sponsorship from the Robert Bosch Foundation, held the Summer School for Latin America “Integral consulting and planning methods for sustainable land use in humid and semi-arid regions”, in September and October of 2006. The objective of the Summer School was to promote advanced scientific training and capacity development in Latin America for agricultural and forest sciences. The topics covered included the comprehension of natural resources and their potential, soil use and the management of pasture, as well as socio-economic, ethno-ecological and planning aspects. The course stressed a scientific and methodological approach to particular topics by means of lectures, field trips, consultancies and interactive seminars. The director of the congress was Dr. Franz Makeschin, professor at the International University of Dresden and a member of the DFG’s Project team in Loja, and there were also about twenty Latin- American scientists present, chosen from throughout Latin America. In addition there was collaborative participation from various UTPL units, coordinated by Mgs. Hernán Lucero. An important aspect of the Summer School was the introduction of the participants to the innovative methods of distance education, led by UTPL, for the dissemination of the results in their respective countries and, with the continuing collaboration of European experts, their use to begin on the construction of a Latin-American network for topics related to sustainable soil use, which is so important for our region. The instructional staff consisted of professors of note from different German and European universities who covered a broad spectrum of disciplines with a focus on environmental solutions applied to agriculture, especially with regard to techniques for soil preservation; also the correct

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use of water, which is an essential factor for production, especially in the area of Loja and Zamora Chinchipe. The Summer School was a favorable meeting place for young LatinAmerican scientists who were interested in the topics of climatology, hydrology, sustainable soil management, etc.

Teaching Staff Dr. Edwin Beck – Bayreuth University Dr. Joerg Bendix – Marburg University, Germany Dr. Ruetger Rollenbeck – Marburg University Dr. Marife D. Corre – Goettingen University Dr. Hans-Georg Frede - Giessen University Dr. Kellie Vache – Giessen University Dr. Richard Gloauguen – Freiberg University of Technology Dr. Stephan Robbert Grandstein - Goettingen University Dr. Franz Heidhues – Hohenheim University Dr. Ingrid Kottke – Tuebingen University Dr. Franz Makeschin – Dresden University of Technology Dr. Simone Radersma – Dresden University of Technology Dr. Reinhard Mosandl – Munich University of Technology Dr. Sven Guenter – Munich University of Technology Dr. Lindsey Norgrove – Hohenheim University Dr. Perdita Pohle - Giessen University Dr. Michael Richter – Erlangen University Dr. F. Peters – Erlangen University

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Internationalization IOHE REGIONAL ASSEMBLY - ANDEAN COUNTRIES

In March 2007 twenty rectors and university leaders met for the Regional Assembly of the Andean Countries of the Inter-American University Organization (IOHE), organized by the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL). The meeting took place in three stages: at the first of which IOHE, IGLU (Institute for University Management and Leadership) and COLAM (College of the Americas) presented; the second, at which the plan and the activities of IGLU and COLAM were discussed and a third, during which elections took place for Council Members and the Vice President of the IOHE Region – Andean Countries. Plenary assembly

Dr. Juan Manuel Zolezzi Cid, Rector of the Universidad Santiago de Chile, was elected Regional Council member for the IOHE - Andean Countries and Oswaldo Zegarra Rojas, Rector of the Universidad Cayetano Herdia de Lima, Peru, was elected as acting Regional Vice President. The election of the regional Vice President for the Andean Countries remained pending, and will take place during the biennial IOHE meeting in November 2007, since the current Vice President will be ending his term then. Bilateral Meetings An important part of the achievements of the conference took part in bilateral sessions. In particular, after an arduous session the board of directors of IOHE (M. Hamelin, P. Cazalis and P. Gudiño) reconfirmed Universidad de Santiago de Chile as host of the IGLU Andean program. In parallel with these activities, joint projects were planned concerning the work in inter-university networks, leading to teacher training at doctoral level, with short study tours to universities in the European Union. IGLU and COLAM are two of the more outstanding programs that are organized by IOHE. To begin with IGLU, the main priority of this program is to improve the management and planning of universities, for which a study abroad program has been established that has already trained more than 2,000 university directors. The first goal is to change the paradigms with regard to university training. Another of their activities focuses on the systematic education of academic personnel, which coincides with the agreements reached in the Assembly. In this connection, UTPL has two experiences of doctoral education in collaboration with Spain, the first with the Polytechnic University of Madrid and the second with the National Distance Education University (UNED); and also with Germany where Doctoral students are studying at the Universities of Dresden and Tübingen.

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As for COLAM, this program works on institutional collaboration through teaching and research networks. The Assembly concluded with a commitment from its members to foster the building of networks that would make it possible to replicate UTPL’s training experience in their countries, and a reminder of the need to have an active electronic portal at the disposal of the entities belonging to IOHE. Other agreements reached in the Assembly: • • • •

Strengthening student mobility Continuing IGLU overseas studies Creating study and research networks Generating a portal specifically for university education

Tour of UTPL campus

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Internationalization VIRTUAL EDUCA

This program is linked to the Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State, and develops innovative, multi-sectoral initiatives in the fields of education, professional training and continuing education. The general coordination of programs is the responsibility of the Governing Council of Virtual Educa, whilst specific developments in Latin America are carried out by national associations and delegations. Virtual Educa Ecuador was founded in October 2005 during the Congress on Quality and International Accreditation in Distance Education, held at UTPL. UTPL is the executive entity of local initiatives; its objective is to strengthen the concept of Virtual Educa, creating cooperative linkages between the higher education institutions of Ecuador and disseminating their work, their projects and their initiatives. In this regard, they are working on promoting three meetings per year in the Andean area; as well as the affiliation of Ecuadorian universities and their active participation in joint projects. UTPL has a long record of collaboration with Virtual Educa; its participation goes as far back as the 2002 international conferences in Valencia, Spain, where the first approach was made and some possible collaborations were sketched out. UTPL’s participation may be summarized as follows: - 2003, in the annual conference held in Miami, members of UTPL were presenters and exhibitors, disseminating information about the university. - 2004, UTPL presented on the topic “The instructor in the new information era” and also on “Models of Quality and the Virtual Center for the Development of Quality standards for Higher Distance Education in Latin America and the Caribbean”, where the work that is being carried out in the field of quality and accreditation was disseminated. - 2005, the Rector of UTPL participated as an invited speaker in the workshop on “Indicators and Standards of Quality for Distance Education”, where the progress made in the project Virtual Center for Quality Standards was presented. - 2006, International Conference in Bilbao: UTPL participated as an invited speaker in a workshop on: “Quality Standards in Higher Distance

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Education” representing the Latin American and Caribbean Institute for Quality in Higher Distance Education (CAL-ED); the same topic was the subject of a workshop directed by María José Rubio, Director General of the Open Modality. In the most recent conference the “Chiquitos Project” was presented as part of the topic “University Inititatives with High Social Impact”. This project is being implemented in Chiquitania, a region in eastern Bolivia, where there is an extension of the Catholic University of Bolivia, where UTPL is implementing research and technology transfer units and also introducing the distance education modality. This project is an example of a technology-mediated collaboration, that revolves around distance education, in a place where the social impact will benefit a population with a strong indigenous component.

IV Ibero-American Virtual Educa Conference of Rectors

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Testimonials 2003 Education, Caracas

Pierre Cazalis

Coordinator General of the Institute for University Management and Leadership, IGLU “UTPL is on the right track, since they are asking themselves about the phenomenon of the university, they are asking questions, accepting criticisms of the model of traditional education; and moreover they have set up modalities that are different from those of other universities. This University is already on course for the changes that we need.”

Patricia Gudiño

College of the Americas COLAM “It is one of the most dynamic universities that exist in the region of Andean countries. I greatly respect and admire the work that they are doing in Ecuador.”

Alejandro Tiana

National University of Distance Education, Spain “Two things have impressed me: one is the vitality that there is, the number of places that you go through and people are working in groups, I mean the level of activity and, then the number of people that have a position of responsibility – in certain laboratories, centers, units, departments. This has impressed me very much, because what this means is not only that it has vitality, but also that it has a future.”

Miguel Casas Armengol

First Rector of the National University of Distance

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“The impression that I have received is wonderful: this University has walked the road that Latin American universities have to walk; UTPL represents the hopes of our peoples that by means of education – of a real education which is sometimes not purely scholastic, many problems in our society can be resolved, with scientific advances, etc.”

Guillermo Franco

“El Tiempo” Newspaper – Online, Colombia

2004 “Above all, I am impressed by the productive projects that accompany the academic programs, and I also had the opportunity to visit a place where a web page had been developed and this seemed interesting, and I think that the university has a lot of potential”.

César Placencia

Vice President of the University Federation of Students of Cajamarca, Peru “I think that this is a very advanced university for our reality. It has an academic system that is different from any that I have seen, and it is the best one for finding the truth.”

Daizen Oda

Coordinator of the ADE Project, and volunteer in the United Nations

UTPL Program for Development “I am amazed at the development of the directors and the students. I feel that this is a very progressive university.”

to the University I realize that it has again raised its level of academics, administration, friendship and integration, which is the most important.”

Raimundo Cea

Guadalupe Larriva (+) Ex-Minister Ecuador

Defense

Director of the School of Chemical Engineering of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)

“I believe that this is a very high quality university, where one really sees continuous innovation in contents, materials, resources, methodological strategies in the use of innovative systems; for example in the field of distance education it is a university that has national and international projection.”

Wilson Abad

2005 “I think that this is a University that is always in a state of continuous renewal, changes in their infrastructure, practical questions that you don’t see in other universities. The distance modality study system is impressive, and it is definitely an example for other universities. The virtual classrooms are a big support for the UTPL students.”

Director of the Graduate School of Administrative and Economic Sciences – National Polytechnic School of Quito. “The University is well organized and above all you see that work is part of its daily life, the CITTES I think are what sustain the institution.”

Elio Delgado

National University of Cajamarca and ex-President of AUSENP.

Martín Iturbide

IBM Respresentative – Ecuador “What has impressed me has been the way they work in this University. You see that what interests them most is the education of the students and the growth of the professional. The system of working in the CITTES is very good, and this is something new that is worth imitating.”

“I am amazed at the work that the University has been doing, especially in distance education, it has found the best way to do it and I think that this is an important challenge that it is working on.”

Ernesto Celi Arévalo

Director of the Systems Engineering School of the Pedro Ruiz Gallo National University, Peru. “I have more than ten years’ worth of impressions, I feel overwhelmed; every time I come

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Testimonials

Aquiles Bedriñana A.

Editor of the “Money and Business” Section of the Journal Vistazo

National University of San Marcos, Lima, Peru “It is an entrepreneurial university, concerned with the education of the students, here there are people who are looking for change, possessing a human quality that will bring development to Loja and the whole community of Ecuador.”

Jaime Rojas

Director of the National Council on Accreditation, Ecuador “UTPL is one of the pioneers not only nationally, but in Latin America, regionally and internationally, it has a lot of experience and it is a reference for creating rules and regulations as a basis for evaluating and accrediting distance education programs.”

“Certainly the University has become better known in the last few years, and the different academic possibilities that they offer; as I see it, the University is integrating the community more, not just Loja, but the whole country through the Distance Modality which reaches the 23 provinces of Ecuador.”

Milber Ureña Peralta

Professor of the Agricultural University la Molina in Lima, Peru “This is a University with a high level of technology, you see absolute order in each one of the CITTES, the UTPL is helping Loja and the country to achieve a better life style. It is something very admirable. I see that there are values here that are different from other universities.”

Horacio Ramírez

University of Arequipa, Peru

José Ballesteros Idente Missionary

“I have many positive impressions of UTPL, firstly: how young everyone working there is, the enthusiasm that they put into their work. Also how close the university is to the social reality of the country and also internationally …Through the International Centers, the Loja reality reaches many Ecuadorians who are outside the country, and Latin Americans in general.”

Karen Correa

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“I am pleasantly surprised that UTPL reflects what the professional of the future is looking for, here people are educated with an academic excellence that leads to success, to contribute to society, really. This University has impressed me with its organization, quality and charm.

Patricia Ávila

Director of Research of the LatinAmerican Institute for Educational Communication

UTPL “This is the first time that I have come to UTPL and I love it. I have heard a lot about this university from outside, but now that I am here I have a very good impression of the work that has been done, how they have incorporated the technology into traditional and non-traditional models.”

Solveig Tosi

Instructor researcher of the University of Pavia, Italy “The work that the University is doing with the programs and the CITTES, takes care of the interests of the students and their professional practice. It gives them the opportunity to practice in these research centers and acquire preliminary experience before getting their degrees.”

to carry out their dissertation projects in the CITTES. I was also surprised by the in-vitro propagation and harvesting of endangered species.”

Mario Canessa President Machala

the

Bank

“…I know that they have important international networks that are helping the Ecuadorians abroad; and apart from that I would like to congratulate them because they are doing a great job on behalf of Ecuadorian culture and education. I must recognize that my own intellectual and legal training has benefited from the basis that the UTPL gave me.”

Edgardo Donati

Director of the Center for Investigation and Development of Industrial Fermentations of La Plata, Argentina “There are many lines of research that link us to the people at UTPL, they have great technological potential, well equipped laboratories, departmental organization and strong policy decisions to advance people’s education.”

Peter Feinsinger

Adjunct Professor of University of Arizona

the

Dr. Patricio Medina

Director of Human Resources of the Municipality of Guayaquil “The distance modality is a good alternative for anyone wanting to succeed academically. It was great to see the academic, physical, structural and logistical support that the University has; all that infrastructure that it has, as a higher education institution, seems to be very good.”

“I love the philosophy of the University, where teamwork, research and its application in the local environment are important. The researcher at UTPL is not a solitary, egocentric scientist.”

Oswaldo Pesantez

Instructor in Photochemistry of the University of Guayaquil “They have many laboratories, I was impressed with the Plant of Natural Products and the advances in all their products. The model of productive entrepreneurship is very good because it enables many students

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Testimonios Testimonials

Galo Martínez

Executive Vice President of Diario Expreso

Andrew Radolf

Communication and Information Councilor of UNESCO

“I think this is something that Ecuador can be proud of, not only the province and city of Loja, but Ecuador. It is a model that is applied all over the world, an excellent top quality university. With people who are professional, honest, serious, with work ethic, a great university, outstanding, it has done everything well …”

María Soledad Reyes

Presenter on Cabledeportes CD7 “I am happy, complete, I feel totally content, I am studying what I like and I have totally adjusted to the academic rhythm, for me this is very important … every time I have picked up the phone I contacted professors who had all the willingness in the world to help me.”

Patricia Roncacio CAF Consultant

“Before I got here I had some expectations, but it was much better than that. Really, I have been very happy to see an institution with such expansiveness as the UTPL, which is in the forefront, not only in distance education, but also in putting philosophy into practice, which every student must do. It is interesting to see how they get involved, and gratifying, and different from the usual model which is a rift between academia, the productive sector and society.”

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“This is one of the best universities where many interesting research topics are investigated, they use the new information and communication technologies correctly and, above all, it is a university that has many links with other universities, and also with the UNESCO programs.”

Marcelino de la Cruz Politechnic University of Madrid “I think this is an interesting university, there is an extraordinary organization, with people with great human quality, and they treat all their visitors excellently. You see the enthusiasm that they put into doing their work well and to make progress, not only for the University, but for Ecuador too.”

Ramiro Jordán

University of New Mexico: Executive Director of ISTEC “I am very impressed, I think they have a very dynamic infrastructure full of youth and energy that you don’t see in other universities, they have a very clear mission and vision that will bring them great success in the future, I am very sincere when I say that they should be very proud of this university.”

Pablo Lucio Paredes

Economic Analyst, Professor of IDE “UTPL is one of the most flourishing,

UTPL successful and innovative universities in the country. When you tour the university, you see ideas taking shape that in many other places, more central ones, more cosmopolitan one, are merely anxieties about the future. Here they are solid realities, happening.”

Pedro Sánchez

Secretary General of OCLACC “As I see it, UTPL combines theory and practice very well, they work in relation to the realities of the region, all the professors’ experiences are taught with the help of technology, if I were young I would study at this University.”

Anastasio Mitjans

UNESCO Representative in Ecuador

Juan Manuel Oliva

Governor of the State of Guanajuato, Mexico

2006 “UTPL is a successful example for education, which has transformed southern Ecuador. We are very interested in firming up the agreement in the short term. After analysis, in all honesty we hope that the distance university concept will be established in the state of Guanajuato.”

““We firmly believe that education is the only way to achieve true democracy for Latin America. Democracy allows for respect and recognition of the importance of peace, I hope that Ecuador can have more universities like this one, that thinks of everything, that takes care of the details.”

María Antonieta Mendoza

Metropolitan University of Chile

Cecilia Castro

Calderón

Ex-Legislator of the Republic of Ecuador I very much admire the model of Productive Entrepreneurship, as it gives the students an opportunity to become involved and acquire experience; this helps them not to have too many problems when they leave the university, and they can get involved without anxiety.

“I remain impressed by the enthusiasm of the people, of the young people of Loja and their attachment to their culture and to study in general. Their desire to work in teams and to create groups and networks in defense of human rights fills me with joy. I firmly believe that this University is one of the best.”

Rosalía Arteaga

Ex-VicePresident of Ecuador “It is a pleasure to be at this University again, I have seen many changes, its facade is very nice, and I know the UTPL is a leader in quality education, that is why I consider it to be one of the best in Ecuador.”

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Testimonios Testimonials

Julio Marrero Giraldes PUCE Santo Domingo

There are different topics like quality education, management, vision, values and also the scientific area; the research networks that the UTPL manages with quality, which is to be admired on an international level. We value the effort that they are making, which is an example for other universities, not only in Ecuador, but in Latin America.”

Alejandra Parra

Nova Southeastern University “The work of UTPL is unique in Latin America, our involvement with a department like RESEC has been excellent since it is the perfect combination for working on innovative and novel projects which will bring the English professors the success that they deserve.”

Head of the Legal Department of the National Council for the Evaluation and Accreditation of Higher Education of Ecuador (CONEA) “UTPL has everything to get higher education accreditation. I have seen the work that is being done in its CITTES close up, and my attention was drawn to the number of young people working here, injecting the University with their young spirit.”

Walter Francisco Salas

Professor of the Agricultural University La Molina, Lima, Peru “UTPL is a very interesting educational center, its distance and traditional modalities provide an opportunity for anyone who would like to study at a higher level: Masters, postgraduate, etc.”

Carlos de Castro

Coordinator of the Eva Network, International University of Andalusia

Jesús Muñoz

President of the Directors of the Bolivian Catholic University at Chiquitos “The work that UTPL is carrying out with the CITTES is incredible, as it gives the future professionals work and experience to generate micro-businesses and thus to improve the conditions of life in the country. This is a model that we are adopting in Bolivia.”

Saúl Mayorga 148

“It is important to know that this educational center, a pioneer in higher distance education, is developing a system of productive entrepreneurship, giving the students the opportunity to have a broad professional experience.”

Nelson Zuanella

Executive President RECLA. “The University is very interesting

UTPL

2007 because it has a very up-to-date infrastructure and human capital that dreams of doing science; this enables the University to embark on continuing education. UTPL is also unique because it is the only University in Ecuador to belong to this network.”

Pau Verrié

Professor of the University of Barcelona, Spain, and member of the executive committee of RECLA “To me this is a magnificent university because it is implementing important activities in the field of distance education.”

Their proximity to their neighbor, southern Peru, will enable the UTPL to enter a process of interesting and supportive cooperation.”

Juan Manuel Zolezzi Rector of the Santiago de Chile

Universidad

“What we have seen of the university seems to be very good; I would be interested in knowing more about the distance education modality. The Assembly and its members need to reflect on research, development and innovation in the whole Region”.

Dr. Ignacio Salazar

Director of the National School of Plastic Arts of UNAM, Mexico

Marcel Hamelin

Secretary General of IOHE “We believe that UTPL and IOHE can lead an academic connection that links research and teaching, and enable the Latin American universities to be well-known internationally. A good example is the entrepreneurial culture at UTPL.

“In spite of being a small university, relative to the Mexican universities, UTPL has a grand vision of social development, with the projects that are carried out, and the quality of the professionals who are trained and who work here, and this gives it added value in the university context.”

Gustavo Vega Delgado

President of CONESUP ““UTPL has much to teach, their experiences and strengths are communicable, but above all they are exportable to foreign universities. UTPL has a strong intellectual vocation, and is a paradigm in the history of the country.

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Events

1998 Ceramics Plant participated in EXPOART

Organized by the Cuenca Chamber of Commerce, from October 28th to November 3rd, the EXPOARE Fair was held at the Exhibition Center of the Cuenca Chamber of Commence. This was an event in which about 50 companies in the Ceramics sector participated. It was an opportunity to exhibit different products and establish relations with other providers.

UTPL attended the “First Summit of Ecuadorian and Peruvian Universities” From November 26th to 29th the University participated in the Summit of Ecuadorian and Peruvian Universities in which UTPL projects were presented as well as a lecture on “Contribution of the university to the process of peace with sustainable development”.

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UTPL bestowed Doctorate “Honoris Causa“ on Fernando Rielo Pardal The Governing Council decided to bestow the title of “Doctor Honoris Causa” on December 3rd, 1998 on Fernando Rielo Pardal, founder of the Association Id of Christ the Redeemer, Idente Missionaries, in consideration of the fact that he has rendered important services to society, with invaluable humanist work and support of culture, science, development and the integral growth of man in his relationship with God, nature and society, which aspects are intertwined in the life and mission of the Catholic University.

UTPL participated in the first “Bi-national Colombian-Ecuadorian Postgraduate Conference” With the participation of the Association of Colombian and Ecuadorian Universities (AUCE), the Colombian

UTPL

University Association (ASCUN), the National Council of Polytechnic Schools and Universities (CONUEP), COLCIENCIA of Colombia and FUNDACYT of Ecuador, the first “Binational Postgraduate Conference” was held in Baños – Ambato, Ecuador.

ECOLAC promotes milk production in Southern Ecuador

1999 Regional Forum on Biodiversity In coordination with the Rainbow Ecological Foundation, UTPL hosted the First Forum on Biodiversity on January 28th, 1999. Some of the topics discussed were: the forest biodiversity of Podocarpus National Park, the importance of the plant life in southern Ecuador, biological diversity, the diversity of birds, and intellectual property.

In September 1999, UTPL officially launched its milk brand “Ecolac”. Since then production has considerably increased with strong acceptance in the local market. Around 8,200 liters of milk from the provinces of Loja and Zamora Chinchipe are processed daily in the plant, thanks to the work of 203 dairy farmers who collect the product in four collection centers established by the University.

UTPL presented at the II National Distance Education Conference From June 22nd to 24th, 1999, UTPL participated in the II National Higher and Distance Education Conference by invitation of the National Council of Polytechnic Schools and Universities (CONUEP), and the Universidad Estatal de Bolivar, site of the conference. Dr. María

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ity, participated with two presentations: “Innovative experiences in higher distance education” and “Educational quality in higher distance education”.

2000 UTPL inaugurates Distance Education Center in Rome On January 20th, 2000 the Open and Distance Modality inaugurated the University Center in Rome, in order to bring higher education to Ecuadorian residents in the city. The center started with 32 students.

Computer Science students from Ecuador and Peru convened at UTPL La Escuela de Ciencias de la Computación y la AsociThe School of Computer Sciences and the Computer Engineering School Association of UTPL held the V Computer Engineering Meeting and the II Binational Conference of Higher Education Centers for Informatics and Computer Science from January 24th to 28th, 2000. These events were attended by more than 500 people, including representatives of the “Pedro Ruíz Gallo” University of Lambayeque, Peru, the University of Piura (UDEP), and the Ecuadorian universities of Azuy, El Oro, Pichincha and Guayas.

The idea of creating the Center arose out of a survey of Ecuadorian immigrants that showed that many of them wished to continue their undergraduate or graduate studies.

UTPL organized Forum on Industry and Environment The center for Conflict Management of the University, together with the Ecuadorian Center for Environmental Law (CEDA) were selected by the Ministry of the Environment to host the Forum. The project involved facilitating five entrepreneurial

Foro de Industria y Ambiente 152

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meetings in several cities to discuss topics related to sustainable development policies.

service provider in Ecuador In June 2000 the Unit of Projects and Computer Systems

UTPL students participated in a binational meeting of university leaders The bi-national meeting of university leaders took place at the “Pedro Ruíz Gallo” University of Lambayeque, Peru. On behalf of UTPL, professional in training from the Unit of Computer Systems Projects took part, and presented on the topic of “University Productive Entrepreneurship”.

The IDB International Certificate on Project Design taught The Inter-American Development Bank IDB, the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador and UTPL offered the International Certificate in Design, Administration and Evaluation of Projects, the Higher Diploma in Project Management and Masters programs in Project Management for Development.

(UPSI) launched “utpl.net - the higher connection”, thus becoming the first university Internet service provider in the country. Currently UTPL has free Internet connection available, by cable or wireless, on the university campus.

II Meeting of Student Representatives of Latin-American Catholic Universities

UTPL is the first university Internet

From May 22nd to 27th the EREUCLAS Meeting was held, with a view to creating a University Network with a Catholic vision for students and developing

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leadership based on a Catholic spirit that would assist all our peoples through dignity and acknowledgement of Christ. Approximately 60 student representatives from Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile and Ecuador took part.

UTPL organized Metaphysics Conference

UTPL was protagonist in Jubilee of the University World in Rome

Before the University Jubilee, Padre Dr. Luis Miguel Romero, Rector and Chancellor of the Catholic University of Loja, took part in the World Meeting of University Professors, around the theme of “The University for a new humanism”.

The Jubilee of the University World was celebrated in Rome, Italy, between September 3rd and 10th, 2000, with the motto “The University for a new Humanism”. In the course of these days there were 59 congresses, which were celebrated in various cultural locations; more than 16,000 people participated in the event and around 1,500 academic speakers from 96 countries gave presentations.

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International

UTPL, together with the Idente School organized the International Congress: Metaphysics for the Third Millennium”, held in Rome, from September 5th – 8th, which was part of the World Meeting of University Professors. UTPL was the only LatinAmerican university to prepare one of the 59 congresses of the Jubilee year.

The culmination of this event was the solemn celebration of the Eucharist on Sunday September 10th, presided over by His Holiness, John Paul II.

UTPL

2001 UTPL joined the Global Network of the World Bank

Learning

UTPL signed agreement to develop projects with the Institute of Natural Fibers, Poland. In May 2001, the University signed a tripartite agreement with the Institute of Natural Fibers of Poland, and the Catholic University of Ibarra, the objective of which was to develop the project “Natural Fibers in Ecuador”, and enable these institutions to exchange experiences and knowledge.

In May 2001 the World Bank approved a project with UTPL and Globatel to transmit nationally courses and programs that they offer to different organizations and government entities throughout the world, on topics of democracy, environment and quality of life, via virtual classrooms.

UTPL participated anniversary

CREAD

UTPL carried Petroglyphs

out

research

Studies carried out by UTPL in 2001 revealed the existence of petroglyphs at 17 sites in the province of Loja; the studies obtained concrete data, dimensions, a description and more precise location on the maps and direct tracings, with the aim of establishing the current situation of pre-Colombian petroglyphs.

From November 19th-22nd, the Conference commemorating the Tenth Anniversary of the InterAmerican Distance Education Consortium CREAD, of which UTPL is a member, was held in Caracas, Venezuela.

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Events

2002 The first Business Development Agency in Ecuador was founded

On January 2nd, 2002 the CISCO Academy of Networks was launched at UTPL, which functions under the auspices of the CISCO company which is recognized world-wide as one of the main developers of technology in networks and telecommunications. For the development of the Academy we have a modern laboratory of telecommunications equipment where internships will be carried out with the support of certified tutors.

Miguel Ángel Cornejo lectured in Loja to the whole country

In January 2002, the first Business Development Agency in Ecuador (ADE) was founded in the City of Loja. The creation of the Agency was part of a pilot project led by the United Nations Development Program (PNUD), the Ministry of External Commerce, Industrialization and Fishing (MICIP), the Loja Chamber of Commerce and UTPL. ADE of Loja promotes entrepreneurial competitiveness, and gives incentives for the creation of businesses and investment, to generate socio-economic development in the southern region of Ecuador.

The UTPL presented the lecture “Excellence in Competition”; this event of local and national importance was held on April 4th at the Hno. Santiago Fernández García Coliseum and transmitted via satellite to virtual classrooms across the country. Nationally, more than 4,000 people attended the event.

Inauguration of the CISCO Academy of UTPL is the executor of the IDB Project: Networks at UTPL Virtual Center of Standards for Distance Education With the support of the Inter-American Development Bank, in the year 2002, UTPL led the consolidation of a “Virtual Center for the Development of Quality Standards for Distance Education”. This project, which was sponsored by the IberoAmerican Association of Higher Distance Education

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UTPL

(AIESAD) and the Inter-American Consortium for Distance Education (CREAD), arose from a desire by the Inter-American Development Bank to improve distance education. The Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja was named executor in June, 2002 in collaboration with various international institutions and universities of America and Europe.

The modality maintains academic alliances with prestigious universities such as the Open University of Catalonia UOC, the National Distance Education University of Spain UNED, and Jones International University, of Colorado, USA; with the goal of offering better educational alternatives to the country.

The VI Computer Science Meeting, and the First Technical Meeting were held

Launch of the Virtual Modality On May 5th, 2002 UTPL implemented its “Virtual Campus”, offering programs in Business Administration, Legal Sciences and some courses on line. Currently www.utplonline.edu.ec supports the teaching and learning for the students in the Open and Distance Modality.

The Schools of Informatics and Computer Science, and Electronics and Telecommunications, together with UPSI, implemented the VI Computer Science Meeting and the First Technical Meeting in a conference titled “The Cybertrends of the Twenty-First Century and Ecuador’s challenges”. The goal was to make a contribution to strengthening the culture of rational utilization of the new information technologies.

Ex-President of ATEI and UNIVERSIA Consultant for Latin America visited UTPL On August 29th and 30th the ex-President of ATEI and UNIVERSIA Consultant for Latin America, Luis Antonio Barry, visited UTPL. The objective of the visit was to finalize a cooperation proposal between the UNIVERSIA Internet portal and UTPL.

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UTPL and ESPOL implemented teacher-training program

a university symbol. With this gesture, that was so simple but held such high symbolic value, Pope John Paul II elevated Mary as the way to find the Teacher and bear witness to the truth in university culture. The image traveled to many academic centers around the world. On arrival in our city on September 4th, 2002 it was transferred by a procession to a special altar in the University Chapel.

UTPL a member of CONEA

UTPL and the Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral ESPOL agreed on a policy of defining and implementing programs and projects to assist in the improvement of educational quality in our country. They implemented two stages of a program of teacher training in computer applications to education: Maestr@ s.com. Around 4,000 teachers took part with the aim of improving the quality of learning of boys, girls and youth.

The National Council for Evaluation and Accreditation CONEA on September 19th, 2002, designated Dr. María José Rubio as a Member of the Special Advisory Commission on Distance and Virtual Education of the National Council for Evaluation and Accreditation.

ADE signed agreement with the National Financial Corporation

Icon of Maria Sedes Sapientae arrived at UTPL In the Jubilee of the University World, which took place in Rome, the Holy Father John Paul II gave the University of Athens the Icon of Maria Sedes Sapientae, thereby starting the Mary’s pilgrimage as

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The National Financial Corporation and the Agency for Entrepreneurial Development signed an agreement for technical cooperation, which, as a first step, permitted the transfer of the Service Center to the ADE offices, so that there could be close inter-institutional cooperation.

UTPL

Student participation by UTPL in New Horizons for Architecture

UTPL inaugurated the University Center in Madrid On December 8th, 2002, in the presence of the Ambassador of Ecuador in Spain, Francisco Carrión, representatives of the Idente missionaries and students, UTPL’s Madrid Associated Center was officially

35 students of the School of Architecture participated in the XIX Latin-American Meeting of Students of Architecture – Acapulco 2002, where they were the largest delegation from a foreign university to attend the event.

The Fernando Rielo world prize for Mystical Poetry presented in Ecuador In December 2002 the collection of poems “Para no morir del todo” by José Javier Aleixandre (Irún, Spain) was awarded the XXII Fernando Rielo World Prize for Mystical Poetry. The prize was presented for the first time in Ecuador, at the UTPL’s Quito Regional Center.

opened.

2003 UTPL and Oracle implement training programs Through an agreement with Oracle, UTPL is implementing continuing education programs for the OCA certificate – Oracle Certified Associate – and OCP – Oracle Certified Professional.

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UTPL is part of AIESAC In January 2003, UTPL joined the largest association of professionals in training in the world, as an “interested group”. Having this status, it is now a viable strategy to participate in the global exchange network. UTPL students can access programs of paid study abroad offered by AIESAC in the eighty-nine countries and territories where it operates.

A cooperation and exchange agreement was signed by UTPL and the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile On July 17th, 2003, UTPL signed an agreement with the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, which is considering a major accord on academic cooperation and exchange of students and teaching staff.

UTPL site of the II Congress on Biodiversity in the Andes and Amazonia and IV Ecuadorian Congress on Plant Biology.

UTPL was the site of the first LatinAmerican Meeting of Directors of Programs of Administration The goal of the meeting, which attracted directors of programs of administration from March 12th – 15th, was to formulate and execute exchange projects that would improve the training of administrators and relationships between the universities; it made it possible to create a database of Faculties of Administration in Latin America in order to facilitate communication about new projects and activities to be carried out in future.

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This event, which took place on August 25th – 29th, surpassed the expectations of the organizers: UTPL and the Ecuadorian Foundation for Research and Development of Plant Biology “FUNBOTÁNICA”. There were more than 700 participants attending, which doubled the numbers achieved at the congress in Cuzco, Peru.

Scientists, professors and students from 25 countries around the world took part in these congresses.

UTPL

UTPL and the Catholic University of The European Union’s ALFA Commission Brazil carry out exchanges brought experts from Distance Education Universities to UTPL Under an inter-institutional agreement, a program of student exchange was initiated in 2003 between UTPL and the Catholic University of Brazil (UCB).

On September 15th, 2003, eleven students and two instructors from UTPL traveled to Brazil as a counterpart to the exchange agreement. The UTPL delegation consisted of students from the Schools of Architecture, Hospitality and Social Communication.

From December 1st – 3rd, 2003, UTPL and the Network of Distance Education Universities (RUEDA) carried out the first face-to-face seminar on “Analysis of the characteristics of Distance Education Students” as part of the project: “Evaluation of Distance Education Programs” ALFA Program II, sub-Program A.

UTPL was the site of the XVI National Inauguration of the UTPL Office of Legal Tourism Convention Aid and Mediation Under the motto “Loja – touristic, ecological and healthy”, the different associations and corporations of the Ecuadorian tourist industry gathered at UTPL . Loja received more than 500 people, including six mayors from within the country with whom, on October 24th, 2003, a panel was conducted, that analyzed the theme “The Decentralization of Tourism in Ecuador.”

As part of the celebrations of the Higher Court of Justice of Loja, on December 9th, 2003, the UTPL Office of Legal Aid and Mediation was inaugurated. This office is a place where users, instructors and mediators from the Center of Analysis and Conflict Resolution of the University come together.

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UTPL was destination of international IGLU study abroad

XXIII World Prize for Mystical Poetry awarded

UTPL was selected in 2003 as a destination for an international study abroad program organized by the Institute for University Management and Leadership IGLU, receiving students from Venezuela, Mexico, Bolivia, and other places.

The Chilean poetess Irma Bettankourt Siggelkow was the winner of the XXIII Fernando Rielo World Prize for Mystical Poetry for her book “Desde el telar del tiempo”. The ceremony to announce the winner took place on December 9th at the UTPL Regional Center in the city of Quito.

IGLU is part of the Inter-American University Organization, which includes more than 400 universities in the Americas. The objective of the study trips is to train university leaders all over the world.

UTPL signs cooperation agreement with the Ecuadorian-American Chamber of Commerce During a solemn ceremony commemorating the sixth anniversary of the constitution of the Ecuadorian-American Chamber of Commerce, a General Cooperation Agreement between UTPL and the Chamber was signed. The Agreement has the objective of establishing academic, cultural and scientific relationships on behalf of inter-institutional cooperation, in order to contribute to the development of both.

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La obra expresó su experiencia íntima de lo divino desde los acontecimientos cotidianos y se recrea en una luz que desborda la historia, y que le hace asomarse a otro espacio, a otro tiempo.

2004 UTPL president of AUSENP AUSENP promotes the integration of the region’s universities in the fields of education, scientific research and technology, and culture. In the Tenth Assembly of the Association of the Universities of Southern Ecuador and Northern Peru,

UTPL

which was held from March 11th – 13th, 2004, Dr. Luis Miguel Romero Fernández, Rector-Chancellor of UTPL, was elected president of the organization, for the period 2004-2006.

UTPL accredited to offer Exadep and TOEFL examinations in Ecuador These examinations are required in more than 2,400 universities world-wide for those who wish to access undergraduate or postgraduate studies abroad. In Ecuador UTPL is the only University accredited to offer both examinations, thanks to an agreement signed in June 2004 with the Educational Testing Service (ETS) of the United States.

University youth participated in the first Mission Ecuador Laboratory of CETTIA – UTPL qualified to offer international accreditation In May 2004 the certificates of international accreditation under ISO 17025 were received from A2LA. As a result of this international accreditation, CETTIA is able to carry out analyses of foodstuffs, waters, soils and pesticides; as well as bromatological and microbiological analyses in different areas, providing companies with greater security and a guarantee in commercializing their products internationally, strengthening their competitiveness. It is the first laboratory located at a university to receive this type of accreditation.

More than 500 university youth from all over Ecuador and three other Latin-American countries (Peru, Chile and Colombia), took part in the first “Mission Ecuador 2004” from September 1st – 10th, moved by the desire to give of their best to those most in need in the furthest corners of Ecuador.

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LINUX Academy part of continuing education offering of the University

More than 500 people attended the event, in which theoreticians and researchers from 12 LatinAmerican countries, France and the United States also participated. The theme was: “For education, towards a more intelligent society”.

XXIV Fernando Rielo World Prize awarded at Main Campus of UTPL

On September 20th, 2004, IBM and UTPL signed an agreement to allow Linux courses to be offered. One of the areas of interest of the Linux Academy is the free software, which is why the training program has been jointly created with the IBM Company of Ecuador to administer the GNU systems in Linux.

UTPL site of V Congress on the Gifted and Talented In coordination with the Ibero-American Federation The poetry collection “Via Lucis” by Gilber Gómez González was awarded the Fernando Rielo World Prize for Mystical Poetry from among 191 works from 25 different countries. The jury’s decision was announced on the night of December 14th at the UTPL Convention Center in the presence of more than700 people including literary critics, artists, educators, students and religious. for the Gifted and Talented FYCOMUNDYT, the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, through the Ibero-American Institute for the Development of Talent and Creativity I-UNITAC, held the V Ibero-American Congress on the Gifted and Talented in November 2004.

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UTPL

2005 First National Congress of Civil Engineering Students

Communication and Information of the Regional Office of UNESCO.

Experts on English Language meet at National TEFL Convention Students and teachers from the whole of Ecuador, specializing in the teaching and learning of the English language, met at UTPL from June 22nd – 24th, 2005, for the National Convention on the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language.

UTPL implemented “Loja Valley of

This academic event, which took place from February 14th – 19th, 2005, was attended by 500 participants from seventeen Ecuadorian universities. The meeting provided for a sharing of experiences and the promotion of research among the students from the different universities who participated.

Seminar on New Tools for Radio Communication More than 500 journalists and social communicators from throughout the country participated from June to December 2005 in the First Training Seminar for the Use and Management of the Internet as a technological Tool for Radio Communication and Information, organized by VIA Communications and the Consultancy for

Technology” to promote culture of entrepreneurship and innovation Since July 2005 the Unit of Computer Projects and Systems (UPSI) has been working on the project “Technological Valley”, through which the establishment of a positive culture of synergy, entrepreneurship, innovation and competitiveness (competency in a framework of cooperation) are being promoted in the sector of information and computer technologies.

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UTPL Dance group participated in European festivals Sixteen dancers and seven musicians from Loja, who are students at UTPL, took their Ecuadorian cultural identity in the form of folk music and dance to the stages of Europe. The folk music and dance groups Jahua Ñan and Ñan Yurak from the university took part in the 41st Billingham International Folk festival (UK) from August 5th – 13th, and in the XIX International Folklore Festival “Cidade da Coruña (Spain), from August 18th – 22nd, 2005.

ADE and agreement

IECE

sign

UTPL and OCLACC promote Catholic communication projects On August 24th and 25th a delegation from the LatinAmerican and Caribbean Catholic Organization for Communication OCLACC visited the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL). The objective was to consolidate a strategic alliance between OCLACC and UTPL through the School of Social Communication to enable training programs on Catholic communication to be developed.

cooperation

On August 19th the ADE-IECE agreement was signed to promote the functions of both bodies at local and provincial level, through their respective functional structures, as well as to make educational credit available for student entrepreneurs with a business future, and edu-

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cational credits for the sector to promote the creation of companies, so as to increase knowledge and secure the creation of new companies in Loja.

UTPL - Madrid welcomes the Virgin of “El Cisne” On September 11th, 2005, the Plaza Mayor of Madrid was the scene for the reception of the image of the “Virgin of El Cisne”. The UTPL Associate Center in

UTPL

Madrid organized the solemn ceremony; the general coordination was carried out by Oscar Jara, Director of the University Center of Madrid, Spain, assisted by volunteers from the UTPL’s professionals in training living in that country.

institutions, companies, educational networks and training centers. Mexico City was the location for the meeting, where the various trends in higher education on the LatinAmerican scene were discussed.

600 people participated in Mission Ecuador 2005 From September 9th – 18th the second “Mission Ecuador 2005” took place, with the theme “By the grace of Mary let us give birth to a new Ecuador”. 600 people participated, including students, professors and committed individuals from universities in Ecuador and some other Latin-American universities. The goal was evangelism and social action in the most vulnerable communities to generate spiritual, socio-humanist and economic development.

UTPL presents at Virtual Educa 2005

In June 2005, at the VI International Meeting on Education, Professional Training, Information Technologies and Educational Innovation “Virtual Educa 2005: distance education as a place of convergence”, UTPL took part as a presenter, along with more than 200 institutions of higher education from more than 22 institutions of higher education from 22 Latin-American countries and more than four thousand academics. Virtual Educa is held annually in different LatinAmerican countries and Spain. It is a forum for

First CREAD–Andes Conference and First Latin-American Virtual Educa Meeting on Quality and Accreditation in Higher Education More than 500 participants from 15 countries met at UTPL from October 16th – 20th to discuss quality in higher distance education at the First CREAD– Andes Conference and First LatinAmerican Virtual Educa Meeting on Quality and Accreditation in Higher Education.

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At the event the Latin-American and Caribbean Institute for Quality in Higher Distance Education CAL-ED was set up, with the goal of contributing to the improvement of quality in higher distance education in all the institutions of Latin America and the Caribbean who offer studies of this type.

The Culture of Loja project publishes 96,000 books by authors from Loja The goal of the Culture of Loja project is to republish the works of authors from Loja and distribute them to the community. From October to December, 2005, UTPL and the Loja newspaper “La Hora”, distributed around 96 thousand books to the provinces of Loja and Zamora Chinchipe in the course of a reading campaign promoted by both groups. These books comprise the works of Loja writers Nicolás Kingman, Benjamín Carrión, Miguel Riofrio, Pablo Palacio, Ángel Felicísimo Rojas, Benjamín Ortega, Martha Rodríguez, Alejandro Carrión, Trotsky Guerrero, Félix Paladines, Rubén Ortega, etc.

“Theory of multiple intelligences” discussed at international UTPL conference On October 4th, 2005 at the UTPL Convention Center a lecture on the “Theory of multiple intelligences”, delivered by Dr. Howard Gardner from the University of Harvard, was presented. More than 900 middle and high school teachers, as well as psychologists and vocational counselors, attended the event, which was transmitted globally by satellite.

UTPL is site of international conferences on: Dry Forest, Plant Biology and Biodiversity On November 14th, 2005 the official opening of the Second International Conference on Dry Forests, the Fifth Ecuadorian Conference on Plant Biology and the Third Conference on the Conservation of the Biodiversity of the Andes and Amazonia took place, organized by UTPL, Funbotánica and the National University of Loja. These conferences were attended by more than 800 people. At the event, the UTPL was declared a Scientific

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Authority under the Convention on the International Commerce of Endangered Species of Forest Fauna and Flora (CITES), through the Sub-Secretariat of National Capital of the Ministry of the Environment of Ecuador (MAE). The declaration was registered with the General Office of the Convention in Geneva.

Marist Symposium celebrated at UTPL To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the canonical coronation of the Virgin of El Cisne, the Diocese of Loja and UTPL held a Symposium “Mary model of sanctity for the construction of a new society”. This event was held on November 29th and 30th and December 1st, 2005. More than 250 people attended the meeting. The speakers emphasized the figure of Mary as a model of sanctity in prophetic and intentional petition on behalf of human history.

UTPL implemented multimedia system for the teaching of English Since November 2005 the students in the traditional Modality have been studying English with the support of a system that unites the information and communication technologies: multimedia. This system enables UTPL students to be in charge of and responsible for their own process and rhythm in learning English.

Students of Architecture and professionals attended academic meeting Through its School of Architecture and the Unit for Development and Research on Architecture (UDIA), UTPL organized XXI CLEFA 2005, to share experiences, discuss themes and make presentations on the topic: ”The role of the schools and faculties of architecture in the regional context”. From November 21st – 25th, 2005 around 700 people, both students and professionals attended the event.

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CLEFA is an international event that has been held for 50 years in different countries, such as: Chile, Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Venezuela, etc.

Since 2005 UTPL has held the position of President of the Consortium through its Rector-Chancellor. The national academic networks of the whole of Latin America are connected with the global academic networks, such as Geant, Advanced Internet in the United States and, through these, with other networks in other continents.

Professors from the Catholic University of Chile gave seminar at UTPL

2006 CEDIA created network of scientists In January 2006 the 24 universities and research centers that comprise the Ecuadorian Consortium for the Development of Advanced Internet – CEDIA – created networks for Ecuadorian scientists so that they can interact with their international counterparts.

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Under an academic cooperation agreement with the Chilean university, UTPL hosted the visit of professors from the Catholic University of Chile: Juan de Dios Vial Correa, ex-Rector of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and President of the Academy of Life, Dr. Angel Rodríguez Guerro, Member of the Department of Humanization in the Faculty of Medicine and Dr. José Manuel López, Head of the Department of Endocrinology of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, who gave a seminar on “Humanization in Healthcare” from January 9th – 12th, 2006.

UTPL

UTPL and PROLOCAL bring computer training to parish boards From March 13th – 15th, 2006 the first computer training course for members of parish boards in the northern part of the province of Loja was held. The aim of the project is to improve the administrative work and promote the correct use of computer equipment in the parish boards.

In July 2006 the Fourth annual Pueblo Nuevo Prizes for Support to Immigrants, offered by Radio Pueblo Nuevo on 90.5 of Spain, awarded the program first prize in the Communication Media category. The prize recognizes the work of the project to improve the life of emigrants in Europe. In February 2007, the prize was awarded to Nuevos Vecinos for the second time in the fifth year of the competition, out of 537 candidates from 38 countries.

The training course was organized by the Project for the Reduction of Poverty and Rural Local Development (PROLOCAL), the Agency for Entrepreneurial Development (ADE) and the Association of parish boards of Loja.

UTPL held Mission Ecuador 2006

UTPL a producer for Latin-American TV

From September 1st – 10th Mission Ecuador 2006 was held for the third time. 60 leaders guided around 400 students and professionals from the whole country, who came as missionaries and visited 64 Ecuadorian communities, to evangelize and to offer social assistance.

Since February 2006 the Ibero-American Association of Educational Television (ATEI) has been transmitting a program “Nuevos Vecinos” (New Neighbors), a special 40 minute journal, produced by the students of Social Communication in the Open Modality of the UTPL’s Madrid site. The program is co-produced by VIA Communications and ATEI, with the aim of showing the human, cultural and historical richness of the Ecuadorian immigrant community in Spain.

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UTPL in process of institutional accreditation

of biology took part in the First Summer School on Land Use

The university community is in the process of institutional self-evaluation, in accordance with what is prescribed in Article 90 of the Organic Law of Higher Education (LOES), a process to which all the country’s higher education institutions must submit, because of their transformative nature and the intrinsic importance of developing a culture of evaluation for the improvement of the university’s work.

UTPL and the International University of Dresden DIU held the First Summer School, titled “Latin-American Summer School, Advanced Scientific Training”, for investigators in the field of biology, from September 13th to October 5th, 2006. Participants came from nine Latin-American countries. The host, Ecuador, had five representatives. The “Summer School” is a modality of “Advanced Scientific Training”, which works to update young investigators on scientific advances, and give them the opportunity to interact with scholars of recognized international prestige.

UTPL hosts the Fourth Congress on Coeducation and Peace Culture Beginning on October 23rd, and continuing for five days, defenders of human rights, mediators, psychologists, educators and other professionals with an interest in the defense of inter-culturalism, gender and human rights met in Loja at the Fourth Congress of the LatinAmerican Forum for Interculturalism Education and Peace Culture.

Latin-American investigators in the field

UTPL presents at World Forum of GDLN The Global Development Learning Network GDLN inaugurated its World Forum on October 9th in Washington, DC. The Secretary General of the UTPL and the GDLN-UTPL representative in Ecuador participated in the event. The World Forum was a space to evaluate the advances in the field of the application of the new technologies

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such as the consolidation of communal projects among participating countries, organizations and universities.

Ecuador hosts the award of the

prize in Mexico In November 2006 during a Latin-American festival of educational, scientific and cultural television and video, prizes were awarded for the best audiovisual productions of Latin America in different areas. Two documentaries produced by the CITTES VIA Communications: “Saraguro”, directed by María José Martínez, professor in the School of Social Communication, was awarded first place in the category Best Cultural Documentary, and “Orchids of Ecuador 4000 species, zero ecology” directed by Sara María Gómez, a student at the School of Social Communication, was awarded first place in the category Best Audiovisual of Scientific Popularization.

XXVI Fernando Rielo Prize for Mystical Poetry The collection of poems “Officio en mi menor” by the Italian, Valentin Arteaga, was awarded the XXVI Fernando Rielo World Prize for Mystical Poetry on December 12th in Quito, Ecuador.

The event was hosted by the Office of Public Education of Mexico, Educational Television, the Association of Ibero-American Educational Television (ATEI) and the Network of Educational and Cultural Radio and Television Broadcasters of Mexico.

The Jury was headed by Dr. José María López Sevillano (Italy), Dr. José Barbosa (Spain), Dr. Santiago Acosta (Ecuador), the Language scholar Juan Valdano (Ecuador) and the poet Basilio Rodríguez Cañada (Spain).

UTPL television production awarded

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The Latin-American Institute of the Family is founded (ILFAM) As part of the VII National Congress on Catholic Education “The Catholic School rediscovers the Ecuadorian Family”, which took place in Loja from November 5th – 11th, 2006 the Latin-American Institute of the Family (ILFAM) was founded. The objective of the Institute is to generate activities to strengthen the family as the nucleus of a rich life pattern, so as to develop a culture informed by the highest Christian values. The member institutions are: the Ecuadorian Confederation of Catholic Education Establishments (CONFEDEC), the Inter-American Confederation of Catholic Education (CIEC), the International Office of Catholic Education (OIEC), and UTPL.

Second place: “Induquim” project. Development of cleaning products. The development of the product began in February 2006. The entrepreneurs are graduates of the School of Chemical Engineering of UTPL. Third Place: “Chata” project. Development of natural and traditional Loja drinks; the objective is to industrialize the preparation of the traditional drink horchata as a substitute for carbonated drinks. Fourth place: “Mermeladamania” project. Production and commercialization of peanut jam. The projection is to obtain other derivatives from peanuts like creams, pastes and drinks.

UTPL is leading this project, through the General Office of University Missions, with the activities that appertain to the Executive Office of the Institute.

2007 ADE awards prizes to the 4 best entrepreneurial initiatives On March 9th an award ceremony was held for the business competition “Emprender II”, organized by the Agency of Entrepreneurial development and the Loja Business Incubator. At the event, the four best projects presented by young Loja entrepreneurs received prizes. First place: “Magno Café” project. This features the presentation of coffee in individual filters, like teabags.

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UTPL hosts Assembly of IOHE – Andean Countries More than 20 rectors and university leaders from Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador met on the campus of the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja from March 13th – 15th, at the General Assembly of the InterAmerican Organization for Higher Education IOHE – Andean Countries. The objective of the meeting was to promote networking and studies by professors, with short stays in universities, in the European Union in particular, as key elements for providing incentives for investigation in the Andean Region.

UTPL

During the event the scholars participated in workshops on distance education and research incubators, taking UTPL as a model. They also agreed to increase the use of NETWORK CLARA for the promotion and dissemination of research.

At the meeting there were 140 participants from: Spain, Mexico, United States, Brazil, Venezuela, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru and Ecuador. Presenters included: Gregorio Bauer, representing the University of Sao Paulo, Rafael López Castañedes, President of the Mexican Association of Continuing and Distance Education (AMECYD), Guillermo Torres, Administrative Manager of Marcimex, and others. At the end of the meeting the city of Barcelona was selected as the site of next year’s meeting which will be organized by the Institute of Continuing Education of the Pompeu Fabra University; the theme will be the analysis of the importance of the social responsibility of the university and business.

Graduation of students who took study abroad in Bolivia XII International Meeting of RECLA at UTPL From March 29th – 31st, the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja and the International Network of Continuing Education in Latin America and Europe RECLA, held the XII International Meeting of RECLA, titled: “The challenges of continuing education in entrepreneurial training: business and university, facilitating professional competencies”.

On April 10th, four students from Informatics and Agricultural Industries of UTPL, who developed their undergraduate dissertations at the Bolivian Catholic University San Pablo-Chiquitos presented their dissertations. The students are part of a group of 12 young people who, since September 2006, have decided to live and share their knowledge in the middle of the Bolivian jungle, in the town of San Ignacio de Velasco, located in the Department of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, 476 kilometers from Santa Cruz de la Sierra. This process of student mobility is part of the Technology Transfer, Extension and Services south-south project, named the “Chiquitos project”, implemented by UTPL approximately three years ago.

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UNIVERSIDAD TÉCNICA PARTICULAR DE LOJA

BOARD OF REGENTS Dr. Luís Miguel Romero Fernández RECTOR – CHANCELLOR

Dra. Rosario Rivas Manzano DIRECTOR OF UNIVERSITY MISSIONS

Monseñor Hugolino Cerasuolo Stacey BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF LOJA

Ing. Ruth Martínez Espinosa DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Dr. Jesús Fernández Hernández REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE IDENTE ASSOCIATION OF CHRIST THE REDEEMER, IDENTE MISSIONARIES Dr. José Barbosa Corbacho VICE-CHANCELLOR

Arq. Karina Monteros Cueva DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY AREA

Dr. Roberto Beltrán Zambrano DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Mgs. Fannery Suárez Berrio DIRECTOR OF SOCIO-HUMANISM AREA

Dra. María José Rubio DIRECTOR OF THE OPEN AND DISTANCE MODALITY

Blgo. Juan Pablo Suárez DIRECTOR OF BIOLOGY AREA

Mgs. Fanny Aguirre de Moreira DIRECTOR OF INTER-INSTITUTIONAL RELATIONS

Eco. Andrea Loayza Peña DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION AREA

Ing. Gabriel García Torres SECRETARY GENERAL

Mgs. Luján Gonzáles Portela DIRECTOR OF THE QUITO REGIONAL CENTER

UNIVERSITY COUNCIL

Ing. Hernán Lucero DIRECTOR DELEGATED BY THE CENTERS FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

Dr. Luís Miguel Romero Fernández RECTOR – CHANCELLOR Dr. José Barbosa Corbacho VICE-CHANCELLOR

Sr. Carlos Correa Loyola REPRESENTATIVE OF THE VIRTUAL DIMENSION OF THE OPEN AND DISTANCE MODALITY Sr. Gabriel Hidalgo Andrade PRESIDENT OF THE STUDENTS’ UNION

Dr. Roberto Beltrán Zambrano IRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Srta. Rosyvel Ordóñez Vivanco REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STUDENTS OF THE OPEN AND DISTANCE MODALITY

Dra. María José Rubio DIRECTOR OF THE OPEN AND DISTANCE MODALITY

Ing. Armando Cabrera Silva PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSORS

Mgs. Fanny Aguirre de Moreira DIRECTOR OF INTER-INSTITUTIONAL RELATIONS

Sra. Daissy Andrade Rodas PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND SERVICE PERSONNEL

Ing. Ramiro Cárdenas Carrillo DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE

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Eco. Ronny Correa Quezada DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

Ing. Gabriel García Torres SECRETARY GENERAL

MAIN CAMPUS LOJA - ECUADOR- SOUTH AMERICA San Cayetano alto • Tel.: 593 7 2570275 • extensions.: 2907, 2704 Telefax: 593 7 2587810 •P.O. Box: 11 01 608 CALL CENTER: 593 7 2588730 REGIONAL UNIVERSITY CENTERS QUITO:

Av. 6 de Diciembre and Alpallana. Tel.: 593 2 2558240 al 48 • Fax: 593 2 2563016

GUAYAQUIL: Av. Kennedy 333 between Av. San Jorge and F. street. •Tel.: 593 4 2284794 - 2289113 • Fax: 593 4 2690002 CUENCA:

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1800 8875 8875 www.utpl.edu.ec