Unesc and the University of Cuenca join forces to enhance Innovation and Research
On the afternoon of last Thursday (October 8), Unesc experienced another important chapter in its journey of internationalization. In a meeting marked by the desire to transform realities and by the e...
Publicado por: Décio Batista
em 9 de outubro de 2026
Tempo de leitura: 7 minutos.
On the afternoon of last Thursday (October 8), Unesc experienced another important chapter in its internationalization journey. In a meeting marked by the desire to transform realities and enthusiasm, the institution welcomed a delegation of managers from the University of Cuenca, one of the most prestigious in Ecuador.
The meeting, held in the Rectorate's meeting room, was the starting point for building an academic and scientific bridge between Brazil and Ecuador. The Ecuadorian delegation was received by the Vice-Rector for Research, Graduate Studies, Innovation, and Extension, Vanessa Moraes de Andrade, and the Rectorate advisor and former rector, Edson Rodrigues.
The dialogue, facilitated by strategic partnerships with the University of the Region of Joinville (Univille) and the Graduate Program in Production Systems (PPGSP), initiated by professors Marcelo Leandro de Borba and Kristian Madeira, focuses on connecting people, sharing solutions, and creating real opportunities for international collaboration.
Immersion in the innovation ecosystem
The visitors experienced firsthand how Unesc integrates science and regional development. The delegation toured the facilities of the Scientific and Technological Park (Iparque) and learned about the initiatives of the Innovation Hub, the Criciúma Innovation Center (CRIO), managed by the University.
The Ecuadorian faculty members were able to closely observe the infrastructure of teaching, research, and service laboratories, as well as understand the dynamics that transform academic investigations into patents, technology transfer, and direct solutions for the community and the productive sector.
The coordinator of the International Relations Office at Unesc, Dayane Cortez, emphasized that this approach reinforces a fundamental global movement. "By exchanging experiences in management, research, and applied innovation, the University advances in the international community landscape and consolidates valuable bridges with partners in Latin America," she assessed.
For the deputy coordinator of the Graduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering (PPGCEM), Oscar Rubem Klegues Montedo, the meeting exceeded expectations. "I highlight the great interest of the foreign managers in understanding how Unesc mobilizes students, professors, and local companies for innovation. They seek to identify partnership opportunities also in entrepreneurship and other fields where we can interact and grow together," stated the coordinator.
Horizons and collaboration without borders
The delegation from the University of Cuenca included prominent leaders in scientific management from Ecuador, such as the Director of Quality and Research Management, Mauricio Espinoza, the Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Victoria Abril, and the researcher in the field of Economics, Soledad Escandón.
Delighted with the warm welcome and impressed by the community model in Santa Catarina, Mauricio Espinoza expressed the group's sentiment at the end of the meeting. "Our experience was positive. We visited this University with two objectives. The first is to learn about experiences in innovation and entrepreneurship, seeking to replicate them in our institution. The second is to establish contacts and connections to exchange research projects with professors and students, so we can work together in areas where each university has its strengths," Espinoza stated.
Below is the version in Spanish:
A continuación, la versión en español:
Unesc and the University of Cuenca join efforts to promote innovation and research
The visit of an Ecuadorian delegation strengthens Latin American cooperation and opens opportunities for academic mobility, joint development of patents, and projects with international impact. (Photos: Décio Batista/Agecom/Unesc)
On the afternoon of Thursday, October 8, Unesc took another step in its internationalization process by receiving a delegation of executives from the University of Cuenca, one of the most recognized higher education institutions in Ecuador.
The meeting, held in the Rectorate's meeting room, marked the beginning of discussions to strengthen academic and scientific cooperation between Brazil and Ecuador. The delegation was welcomed by the Vice-Rector for Research, Graduate Studies, Innovation, and Extension, Vanessa Moraes de Andrade, and by the Rectorate advisor and former rector Edson Rodrigues.
The approach, promoted through strategic alliances with the University of the Region of Joinville (Univille) and the Graduate Program in Production Systems (PPGSP), arose from the initiative of professors Marcelo Leandro de Borba and Kristian Madeira. The goal is to share knowledge, exchange experiences, and generate concrete opportunities for international collaboration.
Immersion in the innovation ecosystem
During the visit, the Ecuadorian representatives closely observed how Unesc integrates scientific research with regional development. The delegation toured the facilities of the Scientific and Technological Park (Iparque) and learned about the initiatives of the Innovation Hub and the Criciúma Innovation Center (CRIO), managed by the University.
The Ecuadorian faculty members also visited laboratories dedicated to teaching, research, and service provision. The agenda allowed them to learn about the infrastructure and processes that transform the results of academic research into patents, technology transfer, and solutions for the community and the productive sector.
The coordinator of the International Relations Office at Unesc, Dayane Cortez, highlighted the importance of exchange to enhance cooperation among institutions in the region.
“By exchanging experiences in management, research, and applied innovation, the University strengthens its presence in the international arena and consolidates valuable ties with partners in Latin America,” he noted.
According to the deputy coordinator of the Graduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering (PPGCEM), Oscar Rubem Klegues Montedo, the meeting exceeded expectations.
“I highlight the great interest of foreign executives in understanding how Unesc engages students, professors, and local businesses in favor of innovation. They seek to identify collaboration opportunities also in entrepreneurship and other areas where we can interact and grow together,” he stated.
New horizons for collaboration
The delegation from the University of Cuenca included representatives from strategic areas of Ecuadorian scientific management: the Director of Quality and Research Management, Mauricio Espinoza; the Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Victoria Abril; and the researcher in the Economics area, Soledad Escandón.
At the end of the meeting, Espinoza emphasized the warm reception and the interest in understanding the management model of the university in Santa Catarina, as well as the possibilities for cooperation between both institutions.
“Our experience has been positive. We visited this University with two objectives. The first is to learn about experiences in innovation and entrepreneurship to evaluate how we can replicate them in our institution. The second is to establish contacts and ties to exchange research projects with professors and students, so that we can work together in areas where each university has strengths,” he stated.
The visit opens perspectives for future joint initiatives in research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, as well as possible academic exchanges between Brazil and Ecuador.
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