Industria, Innovación e Infraestructura

From January 14 to 17, 2026, a multidisciplinary team led by M.Sc. Kenny Escobar Segovia installed corner reflectors in the Paute sector, Azuay, to calibrate Sentinel-1 satellite signals and monitor ground deformation using DInSAR technology. This strategic initiative aims to ensure the stability of the Paute Integral Hydroelectric Complex and the safety of surrounding communities, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals to strengthen infrastructure and risk management in Ecuador.

Mining Engineering students from the Faculty of Geosciences Engineering (FICT-ESPOL) participated in a co-teaching session with Dr. Fernando Morante (CIPAT) regarding zeolite deposits in the Chongón–Colonche Range. The session bridged the gap between applied geology and selective mining techniques within the Ecuadorian context, strengthening the technical judgment of future professionals and aligning with SDGs 4, 9, 12, and 15 through quality education linked to the real industry.

ESPOL's FICT conducted a field visit to the Balbanera–Pallatanga road section as part of the “Permeable Pavements for High Traffic” project. The activity allowed for the identification of the pilot site and the evaluation of the pavement, drainage system, and structural behavior of the road under real conditions, with the aim of validating laboratory results and strengthening the development of innovative solutions for road infrastructure.

FICT-ESPOL enhances postgraduate education through field practices in its Master's in Geotechnics program. Under the guidance of expert Maurizio Mulas, students conducted stratigraphic column logging, applying real technical criteria to strengthen decision-making in infrastructure projects. This experience reflects ESPOL's academic excellence, which combines scientific rigor with hands-on learning to train leaders in engineering.

Aquí tienes la traducción al inglés, manteniendo el tono profesional y resaltando el logro del estudiante: "Demian Román Abad, a Civil Engineering student at FICT-ESPOL, made history by becoming the first student nationwide to receive the Academic Excellence Recognition from the Holcim Academy. With a perfect score of 10/10 in the program's seventh cohort, Demian stands out as a benchmark for elite training at ESPOL—a pioneer institution of this alliance that seeks to empower young talent and bridge the gap between academic rigor and the sustainability demands of the global industry.

FICT-ESPOL will co-lead the international STARS project, funded by the Erasmus+ program, to strengthen disaster prevention in South America through the use of Geospatial Artificial Intelligence, GIS, and satellite data. Led by Dr. Andrés Velástegui in partnership with universities from Portugal, Sweden, and Colombia, this initiative will modernize laboratories and develop academic capacities aligned with the SDGs for innovation and sustainable cities.

In an analysis for Teleamazonas, M.Sc. Freddy Carrión, a research professor at FICT-ESPOL, described this news as a strategic success toward meeting the country's production goals. Carrión emphasized that, to ensure a sustainable impact, it is essential to attract high-tech foreign investment. This would allow not only for crude oil extraction but also for increasing oil reserves in response to the natural depletion of mature fields.

Here is the translation of the summary into English: "Students from the Petroleum Engineering program at ESPOL carried out a community service initiative in the San José de Ancón parish, where they trained students from the Ancón Educational Unit and local residents on the history and operational infrastructure of the sector's oil wells. Under the guidance of professors Danilo Arcentales and Freddy Carrión, and with the support of the local Parish GAD, this activity strengthened the transfer of technical knowledge and the faculty's social commitment to the development of oil-producing communities.

Karolayn Gaibor Yambay, a student at FICT-ESPOL and President of the ASCE ESPOL student chapter, has been selected for a four-month research internship at the École de Technologie Supérieure (ÉTS) in Montreal, Canada. At this prestigious institution, a leader in applied engineering, Karolayn will work on a regenerative infrastructure project focused on developing low-carbon permeable concrete mixes to optimize their strength and sustainability.

The Holcim Academy 2025 – II PAO successfully concluded after three months of hands-on training in concrete technology, solidifying the long-standing strategic alliance between Holcim and ESPOL. This academy-industry partnership boosted technical knowledge transfer and professional skill development for engineering students, preparing them with high standards of sustainability and efficiency to meet the current challenges of the country's construction sector.