Phase 2 Ecuador Biodiversity Networks 2019
01/01/2019 - 31/12/2022
After completing phase 1 of the project, the need for PhD programs and doctoral schools in Ecuador remained, and a solid academia-stakeholder interaction was still needed in order to provide solutions to developmental problems. Therefore, the program was extended with phase 2. During phase 2 of the programme, the network focuses on realizing 3 goals: - developping two consolidated self-sustained MSc - developping one PhD program with strong innovative components and a robust linkage to various relevant stakeholders across the country - enhance interaction with stakeholders in academic and research levels and generate new knowledge on Ecuadorian natural resources uptaken by stakeholders through academia-stakeholder interactions at all research stages from study design to tech transfer. To achieve these objectives, the programme will build upon the BIO and WRM projects executed during phase 1 plus the incorporation of a third project aiming to innovate the education and outreach environments in universities. - Project 1: Enhancing national capacities in biodiscovery - Project 2: Enhancing national capacities in water resource management - Project 3: Innovation in Education and Outreach Both the biodiscovery and water management projects will focus on consolidating the MSc programmes launched in phase 1 and developing specialized courses for a PhD program on Natural Resources. The contributions of both projects to the development of the country will be done through the continuous interactions with stakeholders. For this, valorization managers will be selected from each partner university in order to stablish and maintain the links with stakeholders while promoting stakeholder participation in all research and education activities within the Network. Project 3 will enforce the transversal themes needed for the PhD program and will include innovative education tools—such as MOOCS, e-learning and blended learning—in the MSc, PhD, and doctoral school’s courses as well as the training programs for professionals. Project 3 will also facilitate the training of our local experts on transversal topics such as tech transfer, commercialization, RBL, among others, and stablish a platform for interaction with stakeholders. The project supports the development of local multi-stakeholder networks to continue the progress initiated in this project and to make a linkage with the international specialists in the relevant domains. In this context the national chapter of IWA was set up in 2019 during the IWA-IDB innovation conference in Guayaquil. For phase 2, the role of the programm at each partner university as the driving force for change and the promoter of joint research and education projects will be enhanced, and the network will become the trustworthy link between academia and stakeholders as well as the generator of developmental solutions in the natural resources sector. The cultural changes observed in phase 1 will be enhanced during phase 2 and the mutual trust will be consolidated among partner universities and extended to stakeholders. |