The Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL) recognized the contributions of international researchers and faculty members during the ALUMNI-ESPOL Meeting, held at the Higher Technical School of Mining and Energy Engineering in Madrid, part of the Polytechnic University of Madrid. Paúl Carrión, Ph.D., dean of the Faculty of Earth Sciences Engineering (FICT), participated in this event, which brought together more than a hundred graduates and strengthened academic ties with Spanish institutions.
The event highlighted the work of researcher Juan María Fornés, from IGME-CSIC, for his participation in training programs developed in collaboration with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and WASA-GN. Likewise, recognition was given to the collaboration of Alfonso Maldonado, Benjamín Calvo, José-Luis Parra y Alfaro, and Francisco Javier Elorza Tenreiro, from ETSIME-UPM, who have contributed to the development of joint projects, specialized training, and scientific publications.
As part of the institutional agenda, the official delegation from ESPOL and FICT, led by Rector Cecilia Paredes, held a meeting with the director of IGME-CSIC, Rosa María Mateos, to plan new areas of joint work in hydroecology, training, and research. This collaboration will be strengthened through the INTERCOONECTA - Communication program (2026–2028) and coordinated efforts with the IGME-CSIC offices in Oviedo and Granada.
These initiatives consolidate FICT’s international scientific cooperation, promoting the exchange of knowledge and the development of initiatives with academic and social impact. Collaboration with leading institutions contributes to building the capacities of students, faculty, and researchers, as well as to advancing sustainable solutions in the field of natural resources.
