Ecuador will allocate more than 4 million dollars to promote technological solutions

2023-08-10 19:25:03

The Government of Ecuador will allocate more than 4 million dollars to promote “Idearum”, a program to accelerate technological solutions based on innovative ideas and scientific discoveries, as announced on Wednesday by the president of the country, the conservative Guillermo Lasso.

The resources will finance at least 30 projects that will help solve some of the country’s social, environmental and economic needs, according to the government.

“We need knowledge, technology and innovation to translate into tangible improvements in productivity, competitiveness and employment”, Lasso pointed out in a public act.

The Secretariat of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (Senescyt) will be the entity in charge of the project, with support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

The UNDP representative in Ecuador, Matilda Mordt, congratulated the Ecuadorian government for promoting a program that will improve processes and increase efficiency in multiple sectors.

Likewise, Mordt stressed that this organization maintains its commitment to continue with technical assistance, through the highest standards of transparency.

“Idearium” contemplates three components: the financing of projects; promote the relationship of the State, academia and society; and strengthen the capacities of public research institutes.

In addition, it focuses on ten research areas: health and wellness; education; Agriculture and Livestock; marine-coastal space and bioaquatic resources; atmosphere; bioeconomy and climate change and variability.

It also focuses on industrial processes; science, technology, society and governance; socioeconomic inequalities, development and land use planning, and information and communication technologies (ICTs).

The head of the Senescyt, Andrea Montalvo, pointed out that the program is a milestone for the transformation of research.

The first calls prepared by the Senescyt are “YuyaIPI”, to strengthen the infrastructure and equipment of public research institutes; “IDEATE”, focused on experimental research and development projects; and Conecta-TTE, focused on technology transfer projects.