During the FICT 2026 Alumni Reunion, ESPOL’s Faculty of Geosciences Engineering (FICT) recognized the contributions of strategic partners who help strengthen academic training, research, and the connection between its degree programs and the professional and productive sectors. The event, held on August 8, brought together approximately 120 graduates from different graduating classes and provided an opportunity to share the progress and projects currently being pursued by the Faculty.
Engaging with companies and professionals in the sector is a key component of FICT’s outreach. Through agreements, collaborations, research projects, Corporate Chairs, and participation in the advisory committees for the Faculty’s degree programs, these stakeholders contribute knowledge and perspectives tied to the needs of their respective professional fields.
Corporate Chairs are academic initiatives developed jointly by a private entity and FICT to disseminate knowledge related to areas of interest, promote ideas, and strengthen capabilities in technologies and topics developed by industry. This collaboration brings students into closer contact with experiences and knowledge from the private sector.
The Faculty also maintains ties with stakeholders involved in ESPOL’s research projects. These initiatives are part of the institution’s efforts to generate scientific knowledge and develop solutions to social problems through research and innovation that have an impact on society.
Another avenue for collaboration is through the degree programs’ advisory committees. These advisory bodies are composed of representatives from the professional, public, and private sectors, whose expertise in the respective fields of study contributes to the continuous improvement of academic quality, engagement with the local community, and the adaptation of the educational offerings to meet the demands of the labor market and the needs of the country.
In this context, FICT includes representatives from various sectors related to the fields of civil engineering, geology, petroleum, and mining. Among them are professionals from companies, public institutions, trade associations, organizations in the private sector, and specialists, who contribute their experiences and expertise from their respective fields.
The recognition ceremony held during the 2026 FICT Alumni Gathering highlighted the contributions these individuals have made to the Faculty’s work and to building ties with the local community. For ESPOL and FICT, these relationships create opportunities to align students’ education with professional and industry needs, as well as to identify new possibilities for collaboration in research, innovation, and community engagement.
FICT's Strategic Partners
Civil
Ivan Rivera, Engineer — Technical Director of Interagua
Xavier Arce, Engineer — Head of Roads at HOLCIM
Martha Orta, Engineer — Office Director at TYLin
Pedro Espinoza, Engineer — Head of the CAF Implementation Unit at the Guayas Citizen Prefecture
Gustavo García, Engineer — Vice President of the Chamber of Construction
Reymberg Correa, Engineer — President of the Guayas Association of Civil Engineers
Karla Morán, Engineer — Sales Manager for the Engineering and Projects Division at Ideal Alambrec
Raul Cabrera, Engineer — Head of Innovation & CS at HOLCIM
Tammy Caamaño, Engineer — General Manager of Ideal Alambrec
Erick Calle, Engineer — Product Engineer at Target Market Roofing, SIKA
Jamil Chuchuca, Architect — Technical Support at Aditec
Geology
Virgilio Benavides, M.Sc. — Head of Risk Analysis and Monitoring at Segura E.P.
Walter Zumba, Ph.D. — President of CRIGMPAL
Johanna Concha, B.A. — Business Sustainability Coordinator at LUNDINGOLD
Tania Espinoza, M.Sc. — Independent Consultant
Vicente Espinoza, M.Sc. — Executive Director of IIGE
Stefany Gilces, M.Sc. — Independent Consultant / Master’s Program Instructor at the Bolivarian University of Ecuador
Edison Ruiz, Eng. — General Director of Environmental Management, GAD Ilustre Municipality of Daule
Juan Minchala, Eng. — Specialist Geologist, Ministry of Energy and Mines, E.P. Petroecuador
Jéssica Robles, Eng., M.Sc. — Geology Specialist, CELEC E.P.
Petroleum
Silvia Campaña, B.A., Ph.D. — Human Resources Manager at Sertecpet S.A.
Marlon Rodríguez, B.S. — Operations Supervisor at Sertecpet S.A.
Walter Zumba, B.S., Ph.D. — President of CRIGMPAL
Juan Romero, B.S., M.S. — Senior Reservoir Engineer at Andes Petroleum
Maria Quinzo, M.Sc. — General Manager of Quality for Artificial Lift at SLB
Estefi Batallas, M.Sc. — Production Engineer at SLB
Christian Sánchez, M.Sc. — Field Superintendent at Pacifpetrol S.A.
Diego Ayala, M.Sc. — Reservoir Engineer at EP PETROECUADOR
Karen Loor, M.Sc. — Reservoir Engineer at EP PETROECUADOR
Byron Fun, M.Sc. — Project Manager for Central Asia
Mines
Fernando Saavedra Gabino, M.Sc., Engineer — Head of Raw Materials at CANTYVOL
Related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
SDG 4: Quality Education, by strengthening students’ education through interaction with professionals and organizations in the private sector.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, by promoting collaboration between academia, research, and sectors related to engineering, industry, and innovation.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, by strengthening ties between ESPOL, FICT, companies, public institutions, professional organizations, and other stakeholders in the community.
