Industria, Innovación e Infraestructura

Walter Hurtares Orrala, an engineer and professor at FICT–ESPOL, participated in El Foro Tech to explain how civil engineering and structural monitoring technologies help reduce seismic risk and strengthen building safety. During the interview, he highlighted the importance of earthquake-resistant design, updating codes, and using innovative tools to build more resilient cities.

Researchers from ESPOL and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia developed a method for transforming automotive shredder waste into lightweight aggregates for structural concrete. Published in a Q1/D1 scientific journal, the study promotes the circular economy and the development of sustainable materials for the construction industry.

Representatives from various schools and departments at ESPOL toured the main laboratories at FICT as part of the LAB-CONNECT event to learn about their scientific capabilities, research projects, and specialized services. The event highlighted advances in petroleum, water treatment, geotechnical engineering, and sustainability, fostering new opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and technology transfer.

Civil engineering students from FICT enhanced their practical training through a hands-on class at the Holcim Academy, where they conducted concrete tests and evaluations under real-world conditions; this experience allowed them to develop technical skills, strengthen quality control of materials, and foster closer ties between academia and the construction industry.

Researchers received the Best Paper Award at IEEE TEMSCON LATAM 2026 for their research on construction methods, solidifying ESPOL’s presence at a leading international conference; they also presented studies on community water management and innovation and strengthened scientific partnerships to advance new applied research projects.

FICT-ESPOL participated in the 16th CONAMIN 2026, one of the region’s leading mining industry conferences, strengthening its presence in academic and technical discussion forums; this participation allowed the faculty to forge closer ties with mining specialists and institutions, learn about the sector’s advancements and innovations, and identify opportunities for collaboration that will contribute to teaching, research, and the faculty’s international profile.

Civil engineering students from FICT-ESPOL expanded their knowledge of structural repair during a technical visit to SIKA in Durán, where they gained a deeper understanding of the use of mortars for the rehabilitation and maintenance of concrete structures; the experience exposed the future engineers to real-world solutions in the sector and reinforced their training in technologies applied to infrastructure preservation.

FICT launched the Epiroc FICT-ESPOL Corporate Chair, an initiative of the Mining Engineering program aimed at strengthening the relationship between academia and the mining industry. The first session addressed topics related to innovation, automation, and sustainability in mining, promoting the development of technical skills and exposing students to the sector’s challenges and opportunities.

FICT has launched a technical-scientific collaboration with the Real Alto archaeological project to apply geological and geotechnical tools to the study of one of Ecuador’s most important heritage sites. The partnership includes specialized analyses conducted in the faculty’s laboratories and a technical visit to the site, with the goal of providing scientific information to strengthen archaeological research and the conservation of cultural heritage.