annual reports 2006

ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 2006

1. Basic Data

Country: Ecuador2006 activity programme with: ESCUELA SUPERIOR POLITECNICA DEL LITORAL

(ESPOL)Co-coordinating university: University of GentCo-coordinator /co-coordinating university: Prof. Magda VincxCo-coordinator /partner institution: Prof. Sergio FloresPeriod covered (actual period): April 2006 to March 2007

2. Introduction

The general objectives of the programme are under the umbrella of SUSTAINABILITY being this issue important for the future. The eight projects have an emphasis on: ‘educational and research capacity building’:

Project 1: Enhancement of Research CapabilitiesFlemish Project Leader: Prof. Dr. Serge HosteLocal Project Leader: Dr. Paúl Carrión Mero

Project 2: Education Innovation in Engineering & Environmental Sciences and Research Enhancement (The CEIRE Project)

Flemish Project Leader: Prof. Dr. Ronald SoetaertLocal Project Leader: Dr. Enrique Peláez J.

Project 3: Tools for an environmental friendly banana production in EcuadorFlemish Project Leader: Prof. Dr. Rony SwennenLocal Project Leader: Dr. Helga Rodríguez Von Platen

Project 4: Environmental management systems in agriculture and aquaculture (EMSAA)Flemish Project Leader: Prof. Dr. Leo Van BiesenLocal Project Leader: Dr. Pilar Cornejo R.

Project 5: Management techniques for a sustainable shrimp aquaculture (MATESA)Flemish Project Leader: Prof. Dr. Liliane ShoofsLocal Project Leader: Dr. Julie Nieto

Project 6: Applications research of non-metallic materials.Flemish Project Leader: Prof. Dr. Jan ElsenLocal Project Leader: Dr. Cecilia Paredes Verduga

Project 7: Entrepreneurship Development Programme.Flemish Project Leader: Prof. Dirk DeschoolmeesterLocal Project Leader: Dr. Virginia Lasio Morello

Project 8: Education & Research capabilities Development Programme for: Software Engineering, Telecommunications and Robotics.Flemish Project Leader: Prof. Dr. Guido Dedene Local Project Leader: Ir. Carlos Monsalve

3. End of activity programme status per component:

PROJECT 1: ENHANCEMENT OF RESEARCH CAPABILITIES

FLEMISH PROJECT LEADER: Prof. Dr. Serge HosteLOCAL PROJECT LEADER: Dr. Paúl Carrión MeroPROJECT TEAM MEMBERS: M.Sc. Hernando Sánchez, Research Advisor

M.Sc. Alicia Guerrero, Research AdvisorIng. Viviana Suntaxi, Assistant Parque de la Ciencia ¡AJÁ! (Representative before VLIR).M.Sc. Clara Segarra, Academic AssistantMAD. Edmundo Aguilar, Administrative AssistantEcon. Catalina Vera Moscoso, Financial AssistantCom. Ir. Johanna Ponce Chilán, Administrative Support; Coordinator of QualityMartha Campoverde, Academic SupportAlexandra Falcones, Assistant of Scientific EventsDiana Hidalgo, Research Projects SupportCarlita Manzano, Financial Support (since March 2007)Soraya Montesdeoca Pinela, SecretaryJorge Mera, Graphical DesignerJoseph Herrera, Graphical DesignerGabriel Guzmán, Technical AssistantAndres Flores, Technical AssistantCarlos Lazo Luna, DriverNelson Carrera, Services Support.

At the end of the fourth year of the second phase and the eighth year in the development of the VLIR ESPOL Programme, it is possible to affirm that Project 1 has improved and enhanced the development of the technological and scientific research of ESPOL. This has been possible due to the support of the authorities of ESPOL in the execution of the established plan in the Programme VLIR-ESPOL.

ESPOL has been able to apply the suggestions of Promoter VLIR Prof. Dr Serge Hoste due to the coincidence that ESPOL was reforming its regulations. Due to the work accomplished by CICYT, the Polytechnical Council issued the following resolution:

07-02-037.- TO CONGRATULATE Dr PAÚL CARRIÓN, Director of the Scientific and Technological Research Center (CICYT), by the magnificent work fulfilled in the direction of this organism and that is reflected in the results reached at the end of the year in the Report presented to the Polytechnical Council.

Project OUTPUT aimed at

Planned ACTIVITIES in view of the output aimed at Responsible IMPLEMENTATION

1 A program to promote/finance local and international networking/conference attendance is in place

1.1. Attendance to international conferences (8 for this year).

Paúl CarriónCatalina Vera

Implemented: During all the year

2 A program providing competitive research grants to the VLIR projects, and other ESPOL researchers is operational.

Program providing competitive seed grants is operational

2.1. Call for competitive funds

3.1. Call for seed funds

Paúl CarriónEdmundo AguilarClara SegarraHernando SanchezJohanna PonceMartha Campoverde


3 Groups leaded by ESPOL PhD’s working in multi-disciplinary programs in at least seven thematic areas

4.1. First Phase of Ph.D. program continues, second phase starts.

Paúl CarriónEdmundo AguilarHernando Sanchez

SENACYT, CONESUP.CEREPS funds offered the conditions to perform research in these new groups.

4 An ongoing system to 5.1. System to access Paúl Carrión In progress.

access, organize and internally disseminate scientific information is established

scientific information is improved at ESPOL

Edmundo Aguilar The Director and General Vice chancellor , have a new proposal for the purchase of this service.

5 An ongoing training/coaching/mentoring program on proposal writing/resource mobilization/scientific writing is in a place. The use of internet-searches to access scientific information is stimulated.

6.1. Training workshops; ESPOLciencia and Production of 3 CICYT Newsletters, manuals and other printed material

Paúl CarriónEdmundo AguilarCatalina VeraJohanna PonceJorge Mera


6 CIC (Interactive Science Center) is operational model to encourage student innovation/research

7.1. Construction of a permanent exhibition area for CIC7.2. Exhibits for an interactive Science center are designed and built by students, teachers and researchers7.3. Exhibits Maintenance.

Paúl CarriónJohanna PonceViviana Suntaxi


7 Appropriate institutional policies at ESPOL are providing incentives to faculties engaged in research

8.1. Preparation of guidelines/procedures

8.11. Guidelines for career as researcher at ESPOL.

8.1.2. Guidelines for incentives were formulated.

All CICYT staff Totally implemented See annex 10. Policies of Research

8 Logistic support is provided for implementation of the program by all projects

9.1. Facilities of CICYT

9.2. Financial reports send to the VLIR and approved / Activity

9.3. Activities reports sent to the VLIR on time

All staff of CICYT Implemented during all the year

Comparison between the planned and actual implementation of the activity programme

Ten competitive projects were approved in the contestable funds VLIR-ESPOL. In the calls for projects of 2006 the total amount was assigned in only one call.

In relation to attendance to international conferences, Project 1 had to make financial readjustments based on the suggestions and approval of the VLIR-ESPOL Committee for the next periods (a maximum of US$1.750, 00 will be offered per researcher since 2006).

During 2006 the assistance to conferences was as follows:

Referring to the access to scientific information, the authorities have a new proposal that includes the participation of several research centers.

In relation to scientific diffusion, it was published one number of the TECHNOLOGICAL journal and two of the RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT journal. The RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT special edition is a publication that came out of the accomplishment of the Second National Congress of Investigation, Technology and Innovation and Espolciencia Days 2006, that synthesized the historical visit of three Laureate Nobel Prizes: Ph.D. Ferid Murad, Nobel Prize in Medicine, year 1998; Ph.D. David Gross, Nobel Prize in Physics, year 2004, and Ph.D. Peter Agre, Nobel Prize in Chemistry, year 2003, that was a magnificent enhancement to the event, marking a reference-point in ESPOL, in our city and in Ecuador.

ECOS 2006 was a publication with a graphical summary of the visit and reflected ESPOL experience that through the Technological and Scientific Research Centre (CICYT-ESPOL) worked arduously so that Guayaquil and Ecuador had the visit of such worthy ambassadors of science. The praiseworthy effort to create a research culture is becoming a reality that has its special impact with the Ph.D. Ferid Murad, Ph.D. David Gross, and Ph. D. Peter Agre.

It is important to indicate that TECHNOLOGICAL journal is following a process with the final objective to become, in a couple of years, an indexed journal. The Technological Journal (on line and printed) each one with their respective ISSN, after fulfilling a series of requirements is indexed in Latindex, from beginning of the 2006, Directory category. At the moment both RTE are being evaluated to rise of category Catalogue. Latindex is the Regional System of Information on line for Scientific Magazines of Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal. It is product of the cooperation of a network of institutions that work of coordinated way to collect and to scatter bibliographical data on produced regular scientific publications in the region. The potential users of Latindex are all those that use, interchange and generate published scientific information in the region, as they are: the investigators, educational, students, administrators and planners of the scientific activity, publishing, librarians and specialists of the information.

It was organized in 2006 a workshop on Scientific Scripture in English (40 hours), dictated by local professors, who are expert in the subject. It was not possible to be dictated with international professors, in reason who had their agenda occupied in the planned date, as it is the case of the Prof. Paul Tewkesbury. It is to indicate that in this workshop, 30% of which attended investigators were novels who collaborate in the different components from Program VLIR-ESPOL, 70% rest were professors and students of the different units academic from the ESPOL.

During these four years, CICYT, was part –with logistic or financial support- in 70 events of science with the participation of researchers, not only of the VLIR-ESPOL Programme, but of ESPOL as a whole, being the main event ESPOLciencia 2006 with the visit of three Laureate Nobel prizes.

FUNDACYT called to aid for projects of investigation 2006, ESPOL presented 63 projects of which 42 were approved, which is equivalent to 67%. In the regional offices of FUNDACYT in Guayaquil 100 projects of investigation in the call 2006 a appeared, between which they were the 63 of the ESPOL. This indicated that we contributed with a 63% of which they appeared in the region.At national level not yet they have spread statistical of presentation of projects.The projects presented by ESPOL have their base in the projects seeds ESPOL, VLIR Competitive, tendency that not only stays in the call to projects CEREPS 2007.

The Interactive Museum of Sciences: “¡AJA! Parque de la Ciencia” was re-inaugurated; an agreement with the Very Illustrious Municipality of Guayaquil was signed.

The implantation by ESPOL of the system of management of quality based on the requirements of the standard ISO 9001:2000, although is not contemplated in Program VLIR, by its process of work affects all process and operations of CICYT.

ESPOL has now new bylaws that reaffirm the importance of research activity; new regulations have been already approved by the Polytechnical Council.

CICYT has been playing its role as the logistic support office for other Projects of the Programme, with functions of coordination and management.

Justification of the differences between the approved budget and the actual expenditure

There are minor differences between the approved budget and the actual expenditure.

One reason was due to the fact that the events of CICYT have acquired greater importance such as the event ESPOLciencia 2006.

The funds allocated to competitive projects were managed by the directors of the projects with the promoter supervision; during the implementation of these projects there were transfer of funds from operating costs to other costs. At the end of the year, the directors of the competitive projects have presented their report approved by the promoters of each project.

The competitive projects approved and their budget was as follows:

During 2006 and with the amount not used in the calling of Competitive Funds, it was decided by the Project Leaders of the VLIR-ESPOL Programme to finance the study: Estudio del impacto del Programa VLIR-ESPOL en los profesores y estudiantes de ESPOL, the results of the research are presented in Annex 8.Regarding, the increment of the projects presented by ESPOL to national calls, there was the need to contract the services of Martha Campoverde, Alexandra Falcones, Joseph Herrera who collaborated in the administrative control of the projects, of the proposals presented, of the development of the competitive and seed projects and collaborating in the updating of the data bases of CICYT based on the participation of researchers of ESPOL in congress and their scientific publications. Currently the Local Promotor of the Project is presenting the proposal to the authorities of ESPOL to hire and contract permanently (tenured staff of ESPOL) services of several staff of CICYT. During 2006, these contracts were partially financed with the 5% (€2.817.75) of the total amount budgeted for competitive funds (€56.355.00). This 5% was authorized by the VLIR committee of Project Leaders to be used to improve the process of the call for competitive funds.

General comments regarding the implementation of the activity programme.

With the organization of ESPOLciencia 2006, which was the main event in 2006, it was necessary to make some adjustments in the planned activities.

It is evident a stronger participation of CICYT in the process of doing research in ESPOL at the end of the fourth year of the Programme VLIR-ESPOL.

There is a constant increment in the scientific production not only in projects but in publications, too. Statistics of this production is being developed by CICYT. The Polytechnical Council gave CICYT the responsibility of carrying out these statistics. It is worthy to mention that this statistical control was an initiative of Program VLIR-ESPOL.

1. With 42 projects accepted in 2006, ESPOL is –in the national context- considered as a reference of leadership. ESPOL at the moment has around 140 approved projects.

2. ESPOL continues as the leader in national publications.

3. International recognition in the web ranking, where ESPOL appears as one of the best 100 universities of Latin America. Additionally, ESPOL is considered amongst the 5 best Universities of the Andean countries.

Educational quality

Project 1 keeps working on the training of researchers in order to develop the formulation of projects with research methodology, logical framework and statistics applied to research. These workshops had the participation of 150 researchers of ESPOL, these participations were reflected in proposals presented by ESPOL at national level and especially within the national calling for CEREPS funds.

FUNDACYT has required CICYT to organize similar trainings for other cities of the country (Ambato, Machala, Ibarra, etc.).

During 2006, ESPOL organized the II National Congress of Science, Technology and Innovation.& ESPOLCIENCIA 2006, obtaining the record of presented works. There was also a record in the participation of external researches of Ecuador.

Annexes

ftp://jupiter.cti.espol.edu.ec/componentes/

1. Inventory of equipments, furniture and vehicules.2. Books published with support of CICYT3. Workshops developed with support of CICYT-VLIR4. Activity 1.1: Assistance to International Conferences of VLIR researchers5. Pictures of JSC20076. Assistance of Proffesors of ESPOL to Conferences or Workshops7. Publications of Proffesors of ESPOL during 2006-20078. Results of study: Impacto del Programa VLIR-ESPOL en los profesores y estudiantes de ESPOL9. Projects of ESPOL approved by SENACYT10. Policies of Research


EDUCATION INNOVATION IN ENGINEERING THROUGH TECHNOLOGY.

FLEMISH PROMOTOR SPOKESMEN: Prof. Dr. Ronald SoetaertLOCAL PROMOTOR SPOKESMEN: Prof. Dr. Enrique Peláez J.PROJECT TEAM MEMBERS:

Prof. Dr. Erick Duval Co-promotor of Xavier Ochoa’s - PhD research

Prof. Dr. Wim Van Petegem Co-promotor of Xavier Ochoa’s – PhD research

Katherine Chiluiza CTI research coordinator and k. transferring Xavier Ochoa. PhD student Elena Fernandez Responsible of teacher training and tutor Federico Raue SIDWeb designer and expert Federico Dominguez IPTv designer and expert Gonzalo Luzardo Multimedia developer and Web Master Cristina Guerrero Videoconferencing expert and support Enrique Guevara Multimedia programmer and support Paulina Arevalo Graphics and multimedia designer and support Carlos Guerrero Networking and technical support Jimmy Pizarro Technical support Xavier Caicedo Web designer and design support Roberto Velez Annalist and programmer Gonzalo Parra System annalist Diego Carrera Multimedia programmer and support Juan Carlos Vizueta Annalist and programmer José Oramas Annalist and programmer Vicente Ordoñez Annalist and programmer Jorge Sánchez Annalist and programmer Galo Tobar Technical support

Project output aimed at Planned activities in view of the output aimed at

Responsible partyImplementation

N = not yet implementedIf implemented, time of

implementation

1. A critical mass of professors and staff members within ESPOL has been developed, with the capacity for innovating their educational practices in the classroom, through the use of information and communication technologies.

1.1 Training of two staff members from CTI in web related technologies and Internet2.

1.2 Training of two professors in education at ESPOL.

1.3 Training professors or instructors in the use of ICT in the classroom.

Enrique Peláez

Enrique Peláez

Enrique Peláez

In progress

In progress

In progress

2. A Ph.D. student in the area of applied ICT is formed to enhance the means of research, development and innovation of the use of applied ICT, as part of the critical mass for a regular educational program in ESPOL.

2.1 To continue Xavier Ochoa’s Ph.D. scholarship in the area of applied ICT in education.

Prof. Dr. Erick Duval & Enrique Peláez

In progress

3. The technological 3.1 Installation & maintenance of Enrique Peláez In progress

infrastructure for course content design and development using ICT, as well as the technological infrastructure within ESPOL for Internet 2 has been deployed.

computer networking hardware, software and infrastructure for Internet 2 development at CTI.

3.2 Development of multimedia and interactive components for two courses in semi virtual type of education or semi face to face program.

3.3 Development of interactive components for enhancing face to face teaching.

3.4 Curriculum development for general courses from the engineering programs.

3.5 Continue the development of interactive components for SIDWeb and e-learning to facilitate the creation, administration and support of Web sites to support the face to face as well as the semi virtual programs of engineering.

3.6 Development of multimedia and interactive components for enhancing the learning environments offer to students in the face to face engineering programs.

Enrique Peláez

Enrique Peláez

Enrique Peláez

Enrique Peláez

Enrique Peláez

In progress

In progress

In progress

In progress

In progress

4. Adequate knowledge and experience for the design and development of Internet next generation type applications, course content, tele education, virtual laboratories, remote manipulation, 3D visualization and simulation, has been acquired.

4.1 Development of a virtual world model to perform statistical analysis and their correlation with the real world, prior to extend the model to teach probabilities.

4.2 Development of a networked virtual world model to represent space and time variables and their correlation with the real world, prior to extend the model to advance networks.

4.3 Applied the virtual world models within the classroom.

Prof. Dr. Wim Van Petegem & Xavier Ochoa

Enrique Peláez & Xavier Ochoa

Enrique Peláez & Xavier Ochoa

In progress

In progress

In progress

5. ESPOL is part of global inter university networks working in technology transfer, technology innovation, development, and training through the next generation of Internet.

5.1 To arrange for facilitating a collaborative effort with one Flemish or other University to start the development of an Internet2 application in the area of Information Technology or Computer / Engineering or Science applied to teaching statistics and probabilities for non-engineering students.

Prof. Ronald Soetaert, Prof. Dr. Wim Van Petegem, Prof. Dr. Erick Duval & Enrique Peláez

In progress

6. A framework for the evaluation of the integration of ICT in Higher Education has been identified and applied to this project.

6.1 Develop a survey for students and professors from the courses enhanced with the use of ICT.

6.2 A results report with the evaluation and comparison of techniques used against the traditional methods.

6.3 Publishing of results from the evaluation of the survey and technologies learned.

Katherine Chiluiza

Katherine Chiluiza

Katherine Chiluiza

In progress

In progress

In progress


At this stage all activities continue to be developed as planed from the last year project.

Activities 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 are developed periodically during the year, and during 2006 there has been an increase in the number of professors trained from ESPOL in the area of engineering as well as from the programs that will be offered in a virtual format. Annex A1, A2 and A3, show a summary of these trainings.

Activity 2.1, Xavier Ochoa is the process of concluding his research activities, the Members of his Committee have been followed the reports and it is expected to be ready for defense no later than larch 2008. Annex A4 shows a report on his status.

Activities 3.1, during this year we have updated the infrastructure of the auditorium for virtual education and have included additional equipment for wireless interaction and instructor control in the front, through a touch panel and headphones.

Activity 3.2, during this year project there has been 23 new courses that include multimedia components for virtual education. See annex A5 for a list of courses.

In activities 3.3 and 3.4 we have continued developing multimedia components for enhancing face to face courses. See annex A6 for a report in these new developments.

Activity 3.5. As part of the continuous process of improving SIDWeb, the Center has release the 3.5.1 version of the LMS that has mainly enhanced the interaction between students and tutors, as well as publishing files. See annex A7 for report.

Activities 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 are now in the process of been developed. Ecuador is connected to CLARA network in Santiago de Chile, this connection allow us to interconnect directly to GEANT, the advance academic backbone in Europe and ABILE – Intenet2, the advance academic backbone in the US. See annex A8 for on its status.

Activity 5.1, we have been working in improving the interaction through videoconferencing, we have evaluated and tested several environments, which allow multipoint interaction, mainly taking advantage of the national and regional academic backbones, as well as the grid environment for video conference available through these networks. See annex A9 for a report in this testing.

Xavier also has continued working in the Design of a Service Oriented Architecture to integrate Learning Management Systems and Learning Object Resources. SIDWeb and the ARIADNE repository have been integrated.


During this year Project 2, won 2 additional projects proposed by Federico Dominguez, and Federico Raue, which represented 5.942 Euro for the project: “IPTv Multicast”, and 6.805 Euro, for the project: “Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS) using learning objects and pedagogical agents”,.(See annex A10 and A11 for the proposals, and Annex A12 and A13 for the report of the projects implemented).

General comments regarding the implementation of the activity programme

During this year’s project, we continue the implementation of the courses for ESPOL using the SIDWeb tool, (see annex A7 for a list of courses implemented). During this year we have also added the following functionality to the SIDWeb environment:

o Improvements to the Web Editor. The Web editor in SIDWeb allows the instructor to create rich html pages (including graphics, tables, links) without the need to know HTML programming. This editor was improved to have a complete level of compatibility with the different browsers in the market and to include new function as the automatic upload of images or flash animations.

o Assignment Management. Now it is easier for the instructor to review the status of delivery of the different assignments given in a course. The instructor could also grade the assignment in the system and provide feedback to the student about it. The student could also reply to that feedback.

o New Examination System. Another module that has been changed is the examination module. This module is more flexible, for creating questions and, it has a new interface for taking the examination. The presentation of the statistics to the instructor was also improved.

o Discussion Forums. New options and interfaces were added to the discussion groups module. A hierarchical view of the messages was developed together with a summary view of the discussion, very useful for the evaluation of the discussion by the instructor.

During this year SIDWeb was actively used by 293 professors of ESPOL, and around 896 professor have been using SIDWeb in different semesters. Although, all courses include various levels of Internet related technologies and multimedia, there are several that incorporate a formal instructional model, which make them ready to be offered as virtual courses or using a distance education platform.

During this year Project 2 offered 7 formal workshops on this topic. (See annex A14 for the list of participants in these workshops, and annex A15 shows the training materials used in these workshops). We have also offered 2 courses using distance education. (See annex A16 for the courses developed.)

We have also developed a prototype implementing for advance networks, such as Internet2 type application, which will further be focus on improving the learning process in statistics for non engineering students.

Below is a description of the activities performed and their state.

1.1 To train staff members from CTI in web related technologies and Internet2.

This is an on going activity that looks for creating a significant critical mass in ESPOL. (See annex A17, for the list of personnel involved in this component).

1.2 Training of two professors in education at ESPOL.

During the year there has been an increase in the number of professors trained from ESPOL, not only in the area of engineering as well as from the education program. Annex A1 shows the list of professors trained, A2 and A3, show a summary of these trainings

1.3 Training professors or instructors in the use of ICT in the classroom.

During this year CTI has been developing and supporting the development of multimedia materials and class content for professors, as well as training on the new version of SIDWeb.

During this year there are 23 new courses developed, we have trained 293 new professors. (See annex A14 for a list of professors trained, and for a list of courses developed this year and their URL addresses).

2.1 To offer one Ph.D. scholarship in the area of applied ICT in education.

During this year the Ph.D. student, Xavier Ochoa, has continued working in his research about innovative approaches to improve the tools used to create, index, share, find and reuse Learning Objects. (See annex A4 for Xavier’s Ph.D. the report).

This research is been performed at the University of Leuven and the Ph.D. Promotor from this University will Prof. Dr. Erik Duval from the Computer Department of the Engineering Faculty of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KULeuven).

During this year he has published 5 full papers in conferences (see annex A18 for the list of papers published). He also spent 2 months in K.U. Leuven, working at the research group of Erik Duval.

3.1 To equip the CTI with computer networking hardware and software for Internet 2 development.

We have started the implementation of the environment that will be used as a common platform during the development of the Internet2 application, and that includes the implementation of technological infrastructure. (See annex A19 a list of equipment and books purchased during this year.)

During this year, and thanks to the increase of the Internet bandwidth and the connection to the Advanced Internet of Ecuador (CEDIA), we were able to provide videoconference support for several courses:

1. Audio and Video Processing 2. Computer Graphics I 3. Computer Graphics II 4. Wireless Communications

The videoconference infrastructure has been used also for seminars and meetings. A detailed description of all the videoconferences (date, participants, medium) is available in annex A20.

3.2 To develop course content for general courses from the engineering programs.

During this year we have continue implementing and supporting the courses from the Computer Engineering Department, see annex A5 for a list of courses developed this year and their URL addresses. There have been 23 new courses that include multimedia components for virtual education.

3.3 Development of interactive components for enhancing face to face teaching. 3.4 Curriculum development for general courses from the engineering programs, and 3.6 Development of multimedia and interactive components for enhancing the learning environments offer to students in the face to face engineering programs

We have continued developing multimedia components for enhancing face to face courses and curriculum development. See annex A6 for a report in these new developments

3.5 Continue the development of interactive components for SIDWeb and e-learning to facilitate the creation, administration and support of Web sites to support the face to face as well as the semi virtual programs of engineering. And, 3.6 Development of multimedia and interactive components for enhancing the learning environments offer to students in the face to face engineering programs

As part of the continuous process of improving SIDWeb, the Center has release the 3.5.1 version of the LMS that has mainly enhanced the interaction between students and tutors, as well as publishing files. See annex A7 for report.

4.1 To develop Internet2 type applications in tele-education through Internet 2.

During this year we have continue the development of the visualization tools to allow the display of high resolution images, as well as the framework for processing the data for applications that require high computation power, and an application for interaction aver high speed networks.

In order to support remote classes, we have been using Isabel, an online tool provided by redCLARA. The tools developed are allowing the instructor with a web cam to communicate with their students individually (one web cam for each students), or in a classroom setting (one web cam for the whole class).

The audio and video of the instructor is broadcast to all the participants. The instructor could also give the floor to any of the participant, and in this case, the student image and sound is broadcasted to all his/her fellow students and the instructor. The tools works completely online, that is, the users do not need to download any special program to their machine. This project is in pre-prototype version but can be accessed and tried at the following URL:

http://sidweb.cti.espol.edu.ec/vcproto.

4.2 To develop Internet2 type applications in the area of teaching statistics and probabilities to non-engineering students.

We have started the implementation schema for the development of the application for learning statistics.

To improve the learning process, we have been developing an immersive visual environment where the students could collaborate “play” to solve problems, while they are learning new skills. We have named this project SharedWorld. We are using of-the-shelf 3d games engines (Unreal Engine 2.0) and parallelization software (UTCave) to create a multi-projector screen where the world can be presented, increasing the immersion and realism sensation in the participants. The size of the screen also helps to use it not just for one participant but in a classroom setting. (See annex A21 for report on the project)

To be able to give access to remote students to local laboratories, we are developing a Virtual Lab, connected to real devices to perform experiments. The main research areas in this project are how to control de devices

http://sidweb.cti.espol.edu.ec/vcproto

remotely, how to design an interface that is usable by the students and how to capture data to transmit to the student. This project is in pre-prototype version but can be accessed and tried at the following URL: http://sidweb.cti.espol.edu.ec/virtual_lab.

5.1 To arrange for facilitating a collaborative effort with one Flemish or other University to start the development of an Internet2 application in the area of Information Technology or Computer / Engineering or Science applied to teaching statistics and probabilities for non-engineering students.

As part of this activity we have applied to the AVNET Project in Europe to participate in the joint development of knowledge objects. This is an international effort with the involvement of several Universities around the World. (See annex A22, for the report of this application).

6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 To elaborate an evaluation survey, write a report and publish a paper about the evaluation results of the integration of ICT in the learning - teaching dynamics, and the transferring process to other Institutions.

As part of Katherine’s research a survey was deployed to evaluate both students participation in this model of learning, and the Professor approach to introduce the information technologies in the classroom through SIDWeb in ESPOL. This survey has been used for the last three semesters and it is providing the means for evaluating the training approach we are using and the quantitative assessment of the use of ICT with students. (see annex A23 for the survey form and annex A24 with the report and analysis of the data.)

Institutional impact and sustainability

As part of the leading role for consolidating a national academic research network, during this year the national network CEDIA started operations with a direct fiber optic link to one of the points of presence of the Latin-American network called CLARA, located in Santiago – Chile. This national network through CLARA has access to the advance academic networks of the world, consolidating our objective of been part of the international inter-university networks. (See annex 25 for a report on the CEDIA’s backbone).

As part of the this initiative, now we are in the process of interconnecting the groups of scientists from Ecuador with the international counterparts, to be able to participate in the regional and international initiatives for the development of applications and advance training and truly be part of the development of science and technology.

As a result of Program 2, ESPOL has also started the process for the creation of a Unit in ESPOL, which will be in charge of Virtual and Distance Education. This initiative was seemed as a natural step forward within Program 2 of the VLIR project, where we were developing the expertise for distance education.

Additional Activities in Collaboration with other Projects:

Digital Information Repository for CIIFEN

Continuing the interdisciplinary collaboration with participants from CENAIM, Project 2 and 4 of the ESPOL-IUC programme, CTI continues the enhancing of the Epidemiological Alert System for Aquaculture (SAEMA), a system to store documents related to Climate-Health issues in the Latin American Region. One of the key features of the system is that it “learns” what documents are relevant to the systems and regularly crawls the web looking for similar documents. See annex A26 for the proposal. The system is completely in operation and can be access at: http://afrodita.cti.espol.edu.ec/VAC/

Comunal Area Network

CTI won a grant from FRIDA (Regional Fund for Digital Innovation in America) to develop a pilot installation of a Comuna Area Network. This network links small communities using an inexpensive wireless technology through Access Points and directional antennas to wide the scope of the signals. The deployment of this pilot was very successful and now ESPOL is seen as reference for the implementation of this kind of networks in the region. More details about this project could be consulted in annex A27.

Ecualocal

Based on the experience that the center has gained in the development of intelligent systems, we were contracted to build the second version of Ecualocal, a system to support the decision of local authorities in 3 microregions of the coast of Ecuador. The system will advice the decision makers with solutions based on the geographical and censual information available. It will also allow for “what-if” testing using a scenario generator engine. Finally the system will

http://afrodita.cti.espol.edu.ec/VAC/

http://sidweb.cti.espol.edu.ec/virtual_lab

bring all the functionality of a small GIS to a Web application. More information on this project could be consulted in Annex A28.

Project Proposals for External Funding:

CTI has been looking for external funding to developed projects. This year, the center has been very active creating project proposals to present to local and external sources of funding. A list of these proposals follows:

Title Proposed to:Electronic Voting for National Elections National Election AuthoritiesElectronic Voting for University Elections ESPOL authorities (approved)Intelligent Tutoring System using Learning Objects and Pedagogical Agents

VLIR competitive-funding

Acceso inalámbrico a escuelas rurales en la península de Santa Elena

FODETEL

The impact of collaborative tools in the research environments

FUNDACYT competitive-funding

IPTV as a tool for Education VLIR competitive-fundingUse of Alternative energy sources for wireless equipment at Santa Elena Peninsula


Recommendation of Learning Objects inside Learning Management Systems


ICT for improving public education for the Province of Manabí.

Fonfo Ecuador - España as a debt relief proposal with ItalyComité Binacional as a debt relief proposal with Spain.

Project 2 has also been collaborating in development of several proposals, advice activities and knowledge transferring with Projects 3, 4, 6 and 8.

Educational quality

During the last year CTI has consistently been training ESPOL’s professors and trainers, on the pedagogical and andragogical aspects of the technology and virtual education. CTI has also worked together with the Faculty of Humanities and Economics Sciences of ESPOL, to create a Masters Program in Education, and with the undergraduate program in Information Systems from the Electrical and Computer Engineering. (See annex A29 for a description on the educational model proposed).

During this year Component 2 has published 14 papers and has participated in 11 international conferences. See annex A30 for a list of papers published in journals as well as the papers presented in several conferences.

Annexes

1.1 Staff members from CTI1.1.1 Annex A1. List of personnel involved in the project

1.2 Training of professors in education at ESPOL.1.2.1 Annex A2. List of professors trained

1.3 Training professors or instructors in the use of ICT1.3.1 Annex A3. List of professors trained and list of courses developed with their URL addresses

2.1 Ph.D. scholarship in the area of applied ICT in education2.1.1 Annex A4. Xavier Ochoa’s Ph.D. report2.1.2 Annex A18. List of papers published

3.1 To equip the CTI with computer networking hardware and software3.1.1 Annex A19. List of equipment and books purchased during this year3.1.2 Annex A20. A detailed description of all the videoconferences

3.2 Course content for general courses from the engineering programs.3.2.1 Annex A5 for a list of courses developed this year and their URL addresses.

3.3 Interactive components for enhancing face to face teaching. 3.4 Curriculum development for general courses, and 3.6 Development of multimedia and interactive components for enhancing face to face engineering programs3.3.1 Annex A6. Report on the new multimedia developments

3.6 Interactive components for SIDWeb and e-learning to facilitate the creation3.6.1 Annex A7. Report on new version of SIDWeb.

4.1 Internet2 type applications in tele-education through advance networking.4.1.1 URL: http://sidweb.cti.espol.edu.ec/vcproto.

4.2 Internet2 type applications in the area of teaching statistics and probabilities to non-engineering students and 4.3 Apply the virtual world models within the classroom4.2.1 Annex A21. Report on the virtual lab project4.2.2 URL: http://sidweb.cti.espol.edu.ec/virtual_lab.

5.1 Facilitate a collaborative effort with one Flemish or other University to start the development of an Internet2 application. 5.1.1 Annex A22. Report on the statistics game5.1.2 Annex A25. Report on status of CEDIA’s backbone

6.1 Evaluation survey and a report about the evaluation results of the integration of ICT in the learning - teaching dynamics.6.1.1 Annex A23. Survey form6.1.2 Annex A24. Report and analysis of the data.

Additional Activities in Collaboration with other Projects

Annex A26. Digital Information Repository for CIIFEN.Annex A28. Ecualocal Project reportAnnex A29. Description on the educational model proposed. Annex A30. List of papers published in journals as well as the papers presented in several conferences.

http://sidweb.cti.espol.edu.ec/virtual_lab

http://sidweb.cti.espol.edu.ec/vcproto

PROJECT 3: TOOLS FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY BANANA PRODUCTION IN ECUADOR

FLEMISH PROJECT LEADER: Prof. Dr. Rony SwennenLOCAL PROJECT LEADER: Dr. Helga Rodríguez von Platen.PROJECT TEAM MEMBERS: Efrén Santos, Ph.D. scholar. Plant Molecular Biology Laboratory.

o Oscar Navarrete, Ph.D. scholar. Proteomics Laboratory.o MSc. Ma. Isabel Jiménez, Ph.D. Scholar. Plant Pathology

Laboratory.o Ing. Maria Jama; Plant Pathology Laboratory.o Mrs. Edith Quishpe Ledesma; Plant Pathology Laboratory.o Ing. Enrique Marquez Plant Pathology Laboratory-

PL-480/BANAREDo Ing. Jose Manuel Ruiz, Plant Pathology Laboratory BANAREDo MSc.c. Mónica Villamar Aveiga; Proteomics Laboratory.o M.Sc. Sofía Korneva; Plant Tissue Culture Laboratoryo Mr. Fernando Piña; Plant Tissue Culture Laboratoryo Mr. Joffre Mendoza; Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory.o Ing. Omar Ruiz Barzola; Biostatistics.o Ing. Sergio Bauz. Biostatistics.o Ing. Geovanni Choez Biostatistics.o Ing. Pamela Crown Biostatistics.o Ec. Ana Armijos; Administration o Mrs. Carola Hidalgo; Administration Secretaryo Mrs. Blanca Ortega Granados; Administration Cleanningo Mr. Rufino Meza Valencia; Administration Field and driver worker.o Mr. Marcelo Hidalgo Administration Greenhouse and driver worker.

Introduction

2006 External Factors and Opportunities outside and inside Ecuador

The quality of food, especially in terms of supplying essential vitamins and other nutrients is central to achieving food security and reducing nutrient deficiencies in Ecuador and other countries. Although staple crops provide most energy requirements, they have some deficiencies in other minerals or trace elements needed for a healthy development and living.

The above discussion has interesting connotations for CIBE’s goals. The EU is implementing a requirement for all foods that are exported. In the near future, banana exporters (farmers) will need labeling of the concentration of minerals, nutrients and vitamins. In view of this requirement, CIBE is preparing a full work package for 2007. This includes sharing the experiences between banana farmers, and helping banana farmers label their product by High Pressure Liquid Cromotography (HPLC). Later in this report, we will explain the strategy that has been initiated to maintain “the quality of principal supplier” which is Ecuador. It is important for farmers to continue to be the main providers of banana in highly competitive markets.

The other important issue in Ecuador under debate is the tariff of 176 Euros that the European Union imposed from January 2006 on the banana exports from Ecuador, Costa Rica, Colombia and other Latin-American countries. Ecuador has subscribed a demand against the EU to reduce this tariff again. It was reduced already from 230 Euros to 176 Euros (USD230). Ecuador produces an average of 1,500 boxes of banana per hectare per year. It is calculated that there are 190,000 hectares of banana planted in Ecuador. This issue has prevented the celebration of the FAO Meeting on Fruits Commodities in Guayaquil programmed for 2006 where CIBE wanted an active participation.

Concerning Yields, Incomes and Profits at the Organic and Inorganic farms, CIBE last publication reports the following:

“Over a five year period, banana yields for the inorganic farm averaged 40.9 tonnes/ha/yr which was 69% greater (P = 0.01) than the 24.2 tonnes/ha/yr for the organic farm (Table 1). However, prices over the 5-yr period for the organic fruit averaged over two times that of conventional fruit (6.9 versus 3.1 dollars per box) resulting in gross product sales the same or higher on the organic farm (8,735 versus 6,757 dollars/ha/yr; P = 0.025). Hence on an annual basis the inorganic farm was more productive than the organic farm. However, as organic fruit fetches much higher

prices, the lower yield in the organic farm was more than compensated. Therefore, an average 16% higher net profit (3,485 versus 1,457 dollars/ha/yr; P = 0.023) was calculated in the organic farm compared to the inorganic farm during 2001-2005” (Jimenez, et al., 2007).

There are several Certification organizations for example: ECOCERT, Naturland, BCS, SGS, Biolatina, Skal and others. There is boom of organic products and many banana farmers are seeking opportunities in Canada, Holland, Germany and Japan.

In this context, CIBE has been a pioneer and visionary to work with the environmental friendly banana production since their origins in 1999. The research done by the Plant Pathology Laboratory at CIBE has a great deal of success with organic banana farmers that joined CIBE since 1999.

In a recent meeting at the Wagenningen Univeristy it was clear that CIBE needed to engage in a more aggressive international cooperation research with other Universities that are working in similar fields. Here I am attaching a new opportunity that has been offered to CIBE as result of a visit to Dr. Kema Gert last February. It is important that CIBE integrates its Plant Pathology Laboratory with other biotech Units that can supplement CIBE with some analysis that are not implemented in Ecuador to solve basic and fundamental research questions. CIBE has sent a positive response to this invitation and we are waiting for a call to collaborate this new initiative.

As mentioned in last years report, Mr. Simon Cañarte, one of our organic banana farmers associated with CIBE in participative research, is an important link between University and private sector strengthening forces to produce a multiplicative momentum to promote and enhance the organic banana production in Ecuador. Cañarte’s farm is an example of participative research and it is presented as a model for other local companies as PRONACA. PRONACA and other local farmers are learning from CIBE’s approach to implement the bio-fertilization method in rice and artichoke. This is an important technology transfer to many small and medium farmers in Ecuador done by CIBE jointly with Simon Cañarte. The assimilation of information assures a common interest amongst associates (bananas, cacao, rice and other crops) giving CIBE the power to call the various associations together for mutual advantage.

In brief, 2006 was a year of a lot challenges and I would like to thank every one of CIBE’s members for the accomplishments done. Due to the CEREPS calls 2006 and 2007, I fiercely push everyone to write their own project. It was a hard exercise but people were proud of their achievements. This feeling elevated the moral, self-confidence and personal self-esteem of CIBE staff. Annex 1 shows for itself the work that everyone did during 2006/2007 to help CIBE to improve its income.

As corollary, there are opportunities for CIBE to grow and participate in the global context of the banana business. The next pages describes the goals, achievements and approaches taken by the CIBE Direction to put CIBE on the right track to be a successful Biotechnology Center by 2012.

Internal Report 2006

2006 has certainly represented a key year for CIBE. Not only because of the change in the Center’s directorship, which was effective May 1st 2005 and will end April 30th 2007, but also because of a series of events that have characterized the activities of CIBE (VLIR/ESPOL Project 3) in the course of two years of new direction and aims to achieve. It is the hope that this style of directorship may have important and positive repercussions in the years to come. As Director of CIBE, I energetically was seeking money to give CIBE the sustainability needed to conduct research in plant biotechnology whilst simultaneously seeking economic resources I had in mind 3 main priorities to fulfill in order:

1) To continue and reinforce the VLIR activities already in place and to move CIBE into the track to be one of the Plant Biotechnology Centers recognized by its academic and research excellence firstly in Ecuador and secondly in Latin America.

2) To promote and lead the association with other VLIR Projects in pursuing joint projects that give ESPOL a multidisciplinary perspective and to open the possibilities for students and staff to put together resources and knowledge.

3) To enhance the relationships with other National and International Universities and Research Centers.

The development of these three objectives (priorities) will be covered in this Report 2006.

Priority Number one

In 2006, CIBE was challenged to become a highly competitive Project among all other VLIR-Projects and within ESPOL itself. Therefore, CIBE enrolled part of its staff into a series of training courses at CICYT (Component 1) to learn how to write successful proposals. This objective had the purpose to initiate a new round of activities towards

the introduction of new topics and to increase the budget of Project 3 with fresh input of money. In 2006, CIBE submitted 16 proposals alone or in association with other VLIR-ESPOL Projects or Centers. It is expected that CIBE will keep this momentum for the years to come and continue writing successful proposals.

A follow-up of CIBE’s local students (Bachelors and Masters) lives is summarized here:At the local level, stronger rules imposed to master’s students under the direction of the CIBE General Director gave people the option to choose their destiny in science or business. As it was mentioned in last year’s report it was expected that 5 master students reach the goal to be graduated.

Moreover, local undergraduate students were able to finish their thesis. Three of them worked analyzing biological data gathered at the field at the Plant Pathology Laboratory. They got their degrees at the ICM Faculty in Statistics. CIBE has three other undergraduate students writing their thesis. However, it seems that this is a difficult phase for students: writing. CIBE will work in the near future with students to take seminars in scientific writing.

Regarding, the implementation of ISO 9000:2001 CIBE has done a stunning and overwhelming job with its internal quality committee directed by a group of talented young ESPOL professionals from the “ESPOL Quality Dept”. The adoption of a Quality Management System is always a strategic decision of an organization. We are thankful to the Rector to include CIBE in this group of Centers. The design and implementation has been influenced and discussed in their objectives internally. As result of this exercise, CIBE was re-inserted in the (Operative Strategic Plan 2007) POA 2007. The products that CIBE will provide are the research results. In other words, CIBE will use this standard to demonstrate its ability to meet customers’, regulators’, and the organization’s own internal requirements.

Priority Number two: Association with other VLIR Projects

CIBE took different approaches to fulfill objective number two regarding interaction with other VLIR-ESPOL Projects. For example, this year together with Component 1 (CICYT), CIBE discussed common ideas to produce a comprehensive map level number II for ESPOL’s Research and Policy (ESPOL ISO 9000:2001).

In relation with Project 2, CIBE met several times with staff members of Project 2 including its Director Dr. Enrique Pelaez to implement and install a computer program that will help CIBE handle several running or finished projects (with the aim to handle the ISO 900:2001 research procedure). This request to Project 2 had two fold aims: First, to engage CIBE in the usage of modern tools already tested at CTI (Project 2), and to allow CIBE’s staff to play with this open source program which can be modified for research purposes.

Work with Project 4, the Management techniques for a sustainable aquaculture, lead by Dr. Julie Nieto gained momentum. The Shrimp Breeding Program was resuscitated and today the program is running. Continuous meetings both at CENAIM and CIBE gave the opportunity to “re-start” the Shrimp Breeding Program at CENAIM. It has been one of the most fructiferous bonds between CENAIM and CIBE. Additionally, as a result of common interests, CENAIM and CIBE submitted two proposals to the CEREPS Funding calls. One for the 2006 titled “Molecular characterization of microorganisms in banana and shrimp soils: A Millennium Contribution to screen biodiversity”. For the 2007 CEREPS call, CENAIM and CIBE elaborated a proposal under the direction of Dr. Sam Stern, CENAIM Director, about the “Tilapia prolactin 1 (prl 1) promoter associated with differences in prl 1 gene expression and the growth response of salt-challenged fishes”.

Work with Project 5, lead by Dr. Pilar Cornejo has brought important results for both Projects. Firstly, is the “Guayaquil Declaration” where a group of leaders some years ago made the decision to give ESPOL tax money to do research. However, this is not working and an action to revive this document has to be done. Secondly, a work related to clean water in agriculture and irrigation were addressed with implications for banana farmers and other stakeholders.

Work with Project 6, just began in the last month by the interest in Nano-biotechnology a novel field of research that integrates physics, biology and biotechnology to understand and unveil the biological structures at the atomic level. Prof. Fernando Montalvo, who would like to study the incredible structure of Musa textilis Nee, has approached CIBE for collaborative projects. The abaca-banana is a shrub whose leaves are held on a pseudo trunk with extremely long, fiber-reinforced and interwoven leaf stems.

To finish the list of joint Programs, is the work with Project 8. CIBE represented by PhD student Maria Isabel Jimenez together with Dr. Carlos Monsalve and Dr. Boris Ventimilla of Project 8 joined efforts and wrote a proposal for CEREPS 2006, that was not accepted, but the proposal has been reviewed and resubmitted for the CEREPS 2007. The project deals with bio-images to detect early stages of the black Sigatoka disease.

In this way, CIBE has interconnected knowledge, resources and human capacity with other VLIR Projects to maintain an active multidisciplinary research Program.

A very positive aspect of the year 2006 has been the enhancement generosity of the Rector of ESPOL who will provide CIBE with new equipment. A complete table of the equipment requested by CIBE is in Annex 2 and it is expected that CIBE members will benefit from the training courses and hands-on use of these machines to pursue research and teaching.

Priority Number three

The generosity of the “Honorable Concejo Provincial del Guayas” provided CIBE with a brand new Perkin Elmer High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and two UPS. This new equipment will offer CIBE the possibility to detect and quantify vitamins, proteins, lipids, aminoacids, etc. The idea with the HPLC is to provide services to the farmers who want to label the nutritional value of their foods for the EU requirement certifications. CIBE is planning a full course on HPLC. Members of CENAIM, ICQ and PROTAL are invited.

An additional contact was made last year with the University Particular of Loja (UTPL). Dr. Swennen and Dr. Rodriguez were invited to visit the biotech facilities and programs.

Other important external contact of CIBE has been with the IFAR virtual library in topics related biotechnology. IFAR is a source of free information and CIBE is using this virtual library continuously. Here are the links provided to CIBE:

Biblioteca Virtual del CGIAR:http://vlibrary.cgiar.org

Publicaciones en español del IFPRIhttp://www.ifpri.org/spanish/pubs/spubs.htm

Links with the productive banana sector:Project PL-480 directed by the PhD student Maria Isabel Jimenez installed in 4 different farms bio-fermentors to produce liquid fertilizers that supply banana plants with a nutritional composition that allow banana shrubs to produce exportable fruits. In addition, it has been observed that these liquid fermented organic products help to reduce the black Sigatoka attack. More results about this topic are in the articles that were submitted and others in preparation.


Project output aimed at Planned activities in view of the output aimed at

Responsible party

ImplementationN = not yet implemented

1. Intermediate Result: Local gene bank developed and new varieties tested

M. Jimenez Some Plants were transferred to Simon Canarte´s farm

1.1. Gene Bank 1.1.1. Maintenance of local gene bank (ESPOL)

M. Hidalgo

H. Rodriguez

Implemented (continuing working)

1.1.2. Maintenance of Calcutta 4 plants to obtain flowers for plant tissue culture

M. Hidalgo Implemented (continuing working)

1.2. Multisite clonal evaluation of resistant genotype FHIA 23 (Under agronomic parameters)

1.2.1. Agronomic evaluation of 1st ratoon

(Valencia, Palenque, Taura)

M. Jiménez

M. Jama

E. Márquez

R. Meza

Implemented

1.2.2. Agronomic evaluation of mother plant (Baba,

M. Jiménez Implemented

http://www.ifpri.org/spanish/pubs/spubs.htm

http://vlibrary.cgiar.org/

Naranjito, Pasaje) M. Jama

E. Márquez

R. Meza

2. Intermediate Result: evaluation and management of black Sigatoka disease

M. Jimenez

2.1. Multisite clonal evaluation of resistant genotype FHIA 23 (Under Phytophatological aspects)

2.1.1. Black Sigatoka evaluation of 1st ratoon

(Valencia, Palenque, Taura)

M. Jiménez

M. Jama

E. Márquez

R. Meza

Implemented

2.1.2. Black Sigatoka evaluation of mother plant

(Baba, Naranjito, Pasaje)

M. Jiménez

M. Jama

E. Márquez

R. Meza

Implemented

2.2. Plant nutritional status vs. M. fijiensis infection

2.2.1.Study of presence of aggressiveness of organic and inorganic M. fijiensis populations

M. Jiménez

M. Jama

E. Márquez

R. Meza

M. Quishpe

Implemented Paper number 1 of Maria Isabel Jimenez

2.2.2. Evaluation in vivo and in vitro of biofertilizer on M. fijiensis development

M. Jiménez

M. Jama

E. Márquez

R. Meza

Implemented. Paper Number two of Maria Isabel Jimenez

2.2.3. Study of the effects in vivo and in vitro of micronutrients on black Sigatoka severity

M. Jiménez Implemented. Paper Number three of Maria Isabel Jimenez

2.2.4. Molecular characterization of M. fijiensis populations from organic and inorganic farms

P. Chong

H. Rodríguez

Y. Vivanco

(CENAIM)

Finished. The new CEREPS fund should allow to continue this activity.

3. Intermediate Result : Tissue culture technologies for molecular tools

S. Korneva

3.1. Embryogenic cell suspensions

3.1.1. Production of embryogenic cell suspensions from Calcutta 4 and Williams.

3.1.2. Cryopreservation of Cell Suspensions

S. Korneva

J. Mendoza

F. Piña

M. Quishpe

Implemented

(continuing work)

4. Intermediate Result: Proteomic tools for the study of plant - M. fijiensis interaction

H. Rodriguez

4.1. Installation of 2D electrophoresis equipment

4.1.1. Evaluation of nutritional status on banana leaves

H. Rodriguez In progress together with CENAIM ESPOL. CIBE dropped the idea to buy a new 2D machine.

4.2. Evaluation of plant extracts isolated from leaves against M. fijiensis

4.2.1. Development of 2D electrophoresis for proteins extracted from leaves and fungal isolates

M. Villamar In progress

4.3. Regulatory mechanisms in foliate biosynthesis

O. Navarrete In progress

5. Intermediate Result: Molecular tools developed for the identification and manipulation of genes involved in plant defense mechanisms

H. Rodriguez

(Local activities)

5.1. Molecular characterization of mutants (Incomplete activity)

5.1.1. Characterization of one mutant and phylogenetic analysis of genomes AA and BB

M. Mancero

H. Rodriguez

Finished AA genomes.

BB genomes were not completed

5.2. Genetic transformation E. Santos Implemented

5.3. Establishment of cDNA technology

5.3.1. Screening for luciferase activity

E. Santos Implemented

5.3.2. Isolation and molecular characterization of putative promoters


5.3.3. Functional testing of promoter activity in transgenic plants


5.4. Genetic transformation with cell suspensions produced at CIBE

E. Santos

S. Korneva

In stand-by. No Biosafety regulations in Ecuador approved.

5.5. Import of transgenic plants for evaluation of gene/promoter identification

E. Santos

H. Rodriguez

In progress not depending of ESPOL. The Ministry of Environment is the competent authority to allow imports of GMO.

Actual implementation of the activity programme

Activity 1. Local Musa bank to study black Sigatoka resistance

Subactivity 1.1. Gene bank

The Musa collection for the black Sigatoka research has been maintained with some problems as technical staff. However, the agronomic activities are being carry up by the ESPOL administration.

Two groups of plants belonging to Calcutta 4 are being maintained. One group is growing in a banana farm located at Taura, Guayas province. The farmer does all agronomic practices and CIBE members collect the flowers for research activities. The second group of plants is located at ESPOL and they are maintained as the germoplasm bank.

Subactivity 1.2. Multisite clonal evaluation of resistant genotype (FHIA 23)

The agronomic and harvesting activities were concluded. Mother plant and first generation of FHIA 23 were evaluated to know the agronomic and sanitary expression of this Musa material at different environmental conditions of Ecuador. The objective of this sub-activity was to study the behavior of the vegetative material without fungicides applications because the material is tolerant to the black Sigatoka disease. The results showed that this Musa genotype responded with stability overall environmental sites. The grouping of the environments where the FHIA 23 grew is divided in two sectors. This answer means that the environments that have similar conditions had the same discriminatory capacity with this genotype for both plant generations.

Activity 2. Evaluation and management of black Sigatoka disease

Subactivity 2.1. Multisite clonal evaluation of resistant genotype (FHIA 23)

Following the same methodology to measure black Sigatoka severity index was evaluated and the analysis showed that the environments had the same discriminatory capacity to select the plants with tolerance or susceptibility to the disease expression.

The conclusion of this activity is that the same hybrid FHIA 23 (the genetic make-up) in interaction with different environments produce different phenotype responses.

Subactivity 2.2. Plant nutritional status vs M. fijiensis infection

During this year three work-packages were development to study the effects of nutritional status on bananas plant and black Sigatoka disease. The study was based in the application of micronutrients and organic products transformed by anaerobic fermentation. These products are the key in the organic banana production system. They provide nutrients to enhance the plants growth and also help to control (slow down) the life cycle of M. fijiensis the causal agent of black Sigatoka.

The results of this activity are contained mainly in the first publication accepted at RenewableAgriculture and Food System.

Organic banana production in Ecuador: its implications on black Sigatoka development and plant - soil nutritional

status. María Isabel Jimenez et al.,

2007Renewable Agriculture and Food

System

2.2.1. Study of presence and aggressiveness of organic and inorganic M. fijiensis population

This work package was concluded. Results of this activity are also contained in the publication mentioned before.

2.2.2. Evaluation in vivo and in vitro of biofertilizer on M. fijiensis developmentThe results showed that the organic products had a 100% of inhibition over M. fijiensis colonies and mycelium in vitro conditions.The results of these experiments will be included in paper number 3 and 4 of Maria Isabel Jimenez. These papers are in preparation.

2.2.3. Study of the effects in vivo and in vitro of micronutrients on black Sigatoka severity.Concentrations of micronutrients directly affected the fungus mycelium development. The mycelium fungus inhibition increased as the product concentration increased. The fungi recovered from the highest concentration had irreversibly affected (Fig. 5).

At greenhouse conditions, the foliar area was directly affected by the spraying of potassium silicate. The foliar area was increased when the product was applied through the roots. Again, the highest concentrations were negative for the development of this studied parameter.

2.2.4. Molecular characterization of M.fijiensis populations from organic and conventional farms.

This activity is finished with the master thesis of Pablo Chong. Next is the summary of his thesis.

It is of world interest to find effective forms to control the black Sigatoka, caused by the fungus Mycosphaerella fijiensis, one of the most devastating diseases which attacks the Genus Musa spp. The present study is focused on the population genetics analysis of different populations of M. fijiensis extracted from organic and conventional banana plantations. Present analysis found that there was a small number of alleles per loci an average of 3.6 alleles were found. Organic populations were closer to the wild population. Instead, populations obtained from conventional plantations were more distant and were grouped in different clusters with the organic populations. Combined results suggest that there is an enormous gene flow among populations. The implication of this result means that over time alleles that carry the trait of fungicide resistant may increase in frequency over wild populations replacing the wild alleles with the mutant allele. This fact will have a large impact on all banana plantations that may acquire with time the resistant allele.

Activity 3.1.1. Production of embryogenic cell suspensions from Calcutta 4 and Williams

This activity is implemented; however, an additional activity was added to cryopreserve these embryogenic cultures to be used in future experiments for E. Santos. These activities have required more tests to standardize the technique of cryopreservation of cell suspensions. Presently, we are working on the protocol following the INIBAP technical guides 5 and 8 (“Crioconservación de germoplasma de Musa” and “Suspensiones de celulas embriogenicas de banano y platano,” correspondingly).

In addition, it is relevant to mention that it has been very difficult to obtain good quality of embryogenic cell suspensions from Calcutta 4, but we are working to improve our few results. Williams’s cell suspensions are less fragile materials and tolerate better the handling.

Embryogenic callus of Williams were obtained from male flowers and scalps. Between 5-8 months after the first planting of male flowers in a medium with 1-2 mg of 2,4D callus were obtained. Calluses were put in liquid medium with ZZ (1mg/l 2,4 D) 80 rpm and natural light. Medium was changed each 3-5 days during the first month and then, it was changed bi-weekly. To confirm that we have embryogenic cell suspensions, part of the suspensions were sub-cultured in solid medium RDI without any growth regulator.

Cryo-preservation of Williams embryogenic cell suspensions:

Cell suspensions produced embryos that develop into plants. This confirmation allowed continuing to cryo-preserve part of the cell suspension. Therefore, cell suspension of 3-4 months of age was pre-treated during one hour with different cryo-preservants (saccharose, DMSO, and ethylenglycol) to prevent cell damage. Later, 1 ml of the cell suspension was put into the cryo-tubes and lowered the temperature to minus 40. This procedure was done slowly and temperature was lowered degree by degree. Finally, tubes were submerged in liquid nitrogen. After one hour in liquid nitrogen, cell suspensions were thaw and sub-cultured in a MS semi-solid medium and no growth regulators.

Activity 4.1. Project 3 dropped totally the idea to install a 2D- machine. Project 5 lead by Dr. Julie Nieto has acquired the equipment and we will be able to use it when standardizations of protocols for isolation of banana proteins are ready.

Finally, sub activity 5.1. Molecular characterization of mutants was slightly modified in sub activity 5.1.1. by Characterization of one mutant and phylogenetic analysis of genomes AA and BB. During the screening of germplas only one mutant was found and has been differentiated. The mitochondrea DNA analysis showed that this mutant could have a different sequence in their DNA and therefore, the DNA fragment was amplified and sent for sequencing. One single replacement in the sequence was found but it is necessary to screen all other accessions to check for the exact site of mutation. In this sub-activity one of the master’s students that was working in this activity dropped the Program. Therefore, this activity is incomplete. We have not screened the BB genomes.

Sub activity 5.5 is being delayed because there is no legislation in Ecuador concerning transgenic plants. Stand-by activity.


Within the scope of VLIR´s overall programme, one of the most important impacts that CIBE got this year was the training of all its staff in scientific writing to prepare successful proposals. This exercise will provide CIBE in the future to get the sustainability because each person that belong to CIBE staff has its own resources and Projects to conduct research towards the same objective to produce in Ecuador friendly bananas.

Regarding results, the most important results were obtained at the Plant Pathology lab where the bio/fertilizers are investigated. The demonstration in vitro, in greenhouse and in the field that the liquid bio-fertilizers with other complements fully supplement the nutritional demands of banana plants to produce fruits of export quality; and also helps to control black Sigatoka were the most relevant ones.

Other important results were obtained at the Biostatistics Laboratory where two innovative projects were conducted: the Data Mining Project that allow CIBE to maintain a large database of all data obtained is an important tool of work. In addition, the WAP technology that will allow taking data in real time and then sending it by mobile devices and making decisions in the field simultaneously.

Certainly, the educational and training program that CIBE has in conjunction with farmers gives CIBE a top place in training people. Topics regarding organic amendments, biofertilization and biopesticides are strengths of CIBE. The idea of growing bananas free of agrochemicals was a dream several years ago. Today, at least 3 different large certified organic banana growers are working with CIBE in their certifications and during all year around. CIBE also has taught farmers how to read the damage of the black Sigatoka disease in the field, good management practices and the early warning system is implemented.

CIBE has created a human capacity building and locally recognized by other Universities. For instance, students from “Escuela Superior Politecnica del Ejercito” (ESPE) Biotechnology Department, comes every year for a visit. Also, several students from Mechanic Engineering at ESPOL come every year to pursue their undergraduate thesis. Recently, University of Babahoyo has requested CIBEs help for training teachers at the plant tissue culture lab where we are supporting the biotechnology at Ecuador level.

Visitors of many nationalities and backgrounds come to CIBE monthly to visit the installations and seeking for banana and Sigatoka information.

Research was mainly focused on: (i) The Sigatoka disease control using different approaches biofertilizers / biofungistatic (ii) Basic phytophatological and genetics studies on the causal agent of the disease, (iii) Applicable results over epidemiological diagnosis and fungicide sensitivity, (iv) Basic molecular analysis to study the defense mechanisms of the plants against fungi, functional genomics and transformation as results for long term uses, (v) Incursion in new technologies to strength the capacity on biodiversity conservation.

Training stressed on: (i) The continuation of 3 PhD students involved in the VLIR programme, (ii) Local M.Sc. programme. (iii), undergraduate thesis of Agronomy and Aquaculture 5 students (iv), Permanent agro-biotechnology forum and organic agriculture linked to growers 2 Workshops (v) Workshops for university students as well as for technical staff 1 Workshop (vi) Participation in the formation of the university students (3 full courses were offered by CIBE members: Omar Ruiz, Maria Isabel Jimenez and Helga Rodriguez (vii) regular seminars in the Laboratory to update knowledge (viii) Regular participation of CIBE in Congress, Seminars, Workshops and International Courses.

Extension capacity: (i) Functional network for banana farmers to cover different edapho-climatic conditions of the coastal region, BANARED (ii) Development of participative research group linked to small banana farmers for the control of Black Sigatoka and balanced nutrition with emphasis on organic agriculture. The topic of biofertilization and biopesticides is also a priority of CIBE´s agenda (PL-480). This will be of paramount importance in extension capacity.


The financial support of the activities comes directly from Rectorate in ESPOL. Rector Moises Tacle is increasing the salaries of all CIBE’s members by a 20% in recognition of work. Some other funds are obtained with competitive VLIR projects, tax donations, etc.

Finally, CIBE should help the Bio-Diversity to develop the Millennium Development Goals concerning the study of several aspects of agricultural biodiversity that sustains humans. Under this view the development of the concept of “friendly bananas” and using microorganisms to improve the health and quality of banana soils, definitively will contribute to position CIBE as one of the contributors in Ecuador.

Summary

Over the last year CIBE has focused its efforts in fulfilling the activities and goals determined by the VLIR-ESPOL Project 3. Some of the activities were not fully finished, but positioning CIBE on the track to being a plant biotech Center leader in Ecuador was one of the most important goals completed. CIBEs staff has gained in spanish writing skills, organization and planning. It is expected that the concept of ISO quality gives CIBE the opportunity to gain more Projects and to provide public services to help CIBE attain economic sustainability in the near future.

Educational Quality

Other teaching activities of CIBE members:

MSc. Maria Isabel Jimenez taught “Usage of bio-products for disease management” to undergraduates of FIMCP at ESPOL.

Ing. Omar Ruiz taught “Basic statistics for Engineering” to undergraduates of ICM at ESPOL.

Ing. Jose Manuel Ruiz taught “Water Quality” to undergraduates of FIMCE at ESPOL.

Additionaly, Dr. Helga Rodriguez von Platen, attended as Invited Professor to Universidad de Guayaquil to teach a complete module regarding “GMOs and its impact on the environment” for the Law Master Program. Law Faculty, Environmental Law and Sustainability Development Dept.

Statistics regarding Publications and thesis.

CIBE produced during the fiscal VLIR-ESPOL year 2006, four publications in Peer Review Journals (See Table of Publications in Annex 2.

CIBE contributed with:

4 undergraduate approved thesis at ESPOL.

Three undergraduate proposals approved at FIM-ESPOL.

One master student from the Biotechnology Program is close to graduate.


Local expenses no differences.

Annexes


1. Activities

1.1. Trainning1.2. Conferences 1.3. Proposals Submitted1.4. Publications

2. Equipment & Furniture

ftp://jupiter.cti.espol.edu.ec/componentes/2006/componente6/

2.1. Equipment Detail 2.2. Inventory

3. Books

3.1. Books List

4. Staff 4.1. Staff 4.2. Organigrama Staff

5. Workshops

5.1. Assistances 5.2. Participation

6. VLIR Evaluation

PROJECT 4: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN AGRICULTURE AND AQUACULTURE (EMSAA)

FLEMISH PROJECT LEADER: Prof. PhD. Leo Van BiesenLOCAL PROJECT LEADER: Dr. Pilar Cornejo R.PROJECT TEAM MEMBERS: • Patricia Urdiales; Administrative Technical Assistant.

Bonny Bayot; Associate Researcher Alba Calles; Doctoral scholar. Jorge Duque; Associate Researcher. Sonia Guartatanga; Chief of Benthos Research. Paul Herrera; Associate Researcher. David Matamoros; Associate Researcher. Luis Domínguez; Doctoral scholar. Indira Nolivos; Doctoral scholar. Verónica Ruiz; Doctoral scholar. Justo Huayamave; Associate Researcher. Lawrence

Massaut; Associate Researcher. Ramón Espinel; Associate Researcher. Fernando Arcos; Associate Researcher. Stanislaus Sonnenzholzner; Associate Researcher. Christian Larreategui; Assistant. Héctor Antonio Pincay; Assistant. Jonathan Cedeño; Assistant. Yadira Chaguay; Research Assistant during

February and March 2006.

During 2004-2005 we started applying knowledge from the Chaguana river basin to the Guayas river basin, specifically the Daule river area. During the 2005-2006 period we have gone beyond our expectations. We have a signed agreement between ESPOL and the three other universities involved in the extension work: U. of Guayaquil (UG), State University (UPSE) of the Sta. Elena Peninsula, (all within the Guayas province) and the Technical University of Babahoyo (UTB). We also have a signed agreement between the Interamerican Institute for Agriculture Cooperation (IICA), and we have been working closely with the National Council of Water Resources (CNRH), especially with its Secretary, Mr. Victor Mendoza. In the international arena, the strong tides to the HELP-UNESCO program have lead to the execution of the Second International Training Course on Biomonitoring, which was held in Foz de Iguaçu, Brazil. It was funded by UNESCO-IHP through the HELP program, CAZALAC, Itaipu Binacional (the largest hydroelectric plant in the Americas) along with Project 4. And, also Jorge Duque (ESPOL) is leading now the

group on Conflict Potentials to Potential Cooperation (Water) of UNESCO for Latin American and the Caribbean. M.Pilar Cornejo also belongs to the newly created UNESCO working group working on disasters, and her proposal is to work from the perspective of a “good” preservation (e.g. water) with stake-holders and decision-makers, and not coming from the general notion of disaster prevention.

Project output aimed at Planned activities in view of the output aimed at Responsible party

ImplementationN = not yet implementedIf implemented, time of

implementation

1. An Environmental Tool Set for river basin management is developed, promoted and pilot tested (25%)

1.1. Development of a Decision Support Systems for environmental and sustainability management in river basins

1.1.1. Environmental monitoring of water quality for River Basin Management

1.1.1.1. finished 2004-05

1.1.1.2. Sampling campaign on biotic monitoring

1.1.1.3. Development of Biotic and Socio-Occupational Indicators for River Basin Management.

1.1.1.4. Preparation of a publication based in the results obtained from the first year sampling campaign

1.1.2. Economic Analysis applied to water management

1.1.3. Development of the GIS-based Decision Support System (Environmental Management Tool)

M. Pilar CornejoLeo Van Biesen

David Matamoros

Luis DominguezNiels de PauwPeter Goethels

Indira NolivosPaúl HerreraRamón Espinel

Luis Dominguez

Paúl HerreraRamón EspinelGuido Van Huylenbrook

Indira NolivosZobeida CisnerosLeo Van BiesenM.Pilar Cornejo

M.Pilar CornejoD. Matamoros

Implemented (August and Sep-Oct 2005, March 06)

Not yet implemented (50%; September 2005 and February 2006)1

Implemented (3 publications, 2005)

Implemented (before April 2005, previous year)

Implemented (see I. Nolivos report, Ph.D. student)

Implemented

May (GECAFS2-US)August (HELP-FRIEND/UNESCO3,

1 An assessment of social capital and banana farms function cost was done during the previous year. However, final analysis was achieved and analyzed during 2005. In terms of socio-occupational indicators different medical group (local to the Chaguana river basin) has been visited to incorporate them into the group for the research on health. However, we have been unsuccessful in this task. We are planning a different approach this year, coming from a combination of anthropological, medical and economical sciences 2 GECAFS=GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE AND FOOD SECURITY3 HELP=HYDROLOGY FOR ENVIRONMENT LIFE AND POLICY, FRIEND=FLOW REGIMES FROM INTERNATIONA EXPERIMENT AND NETWORK DATA

1.1.3.1. Exchange of experience on integral management of river basins through visits to identified projects in research centers in Ecuador and abroad and through networks

1.1.3.2. Re-design of phase 1 databases for unified GDB and update with input of project 4's phase two research activities

1.1.3.3. Apply analysis and mapping tools of GIS to produce information useful for decision-makers

1.1.3.4 Study the basics of Artificial Intelligence tools, involvement with experts, lay the first steps into implementation of the GIS-based DSS system

1.1.4. Organization of workshops

Indira NolivosDavid Matamoros

Indira NolivosDavid MatamorosM.Pilar Cornejo

Indira Nolivos

Patricia Urdiales

BRAZIL)August-Sept (HELP-UNESCO, PARIS)OCTOBER (IHP4-UNESCO, JAMAICA; IHP-UNESCO, VIENA)All year round(CNRH5)

Implemented (All year round)

Implemented (All year round)

February-June (Belgium)June (Scotland)September (Ecuador)January (Ecuador)

Implemented (July, August, October)

4 INTERNATIONAL HYDROLOGICAL PROGRAM5 CONSEJO NACIONAL DE RECURSOS HIDRICOS-ECUADOR

2. Research on benthos as environmental indicators of coastal marine environments is completed and their use for environmental management and policy is promoted and pilot tested (25%)

2.1 Modeling and Population Dynamics of Bio-indicators in the coastal zone of Ecuador with emphasis on the benthic compartment

2.1.1 Analysis and taxonomy of benthos

2.1.1.1 Data mining process from sampling campaigns done in phase 1

2.1.1.2 Data analysis of samples obtained in the first phase

2.1.1.3Sampling campaign of benthos

2.1.1.4 Processing of samples obtained in campaigns

2.1.2 Life-history of bio-indicators

2.1.3 Determination of food-web structure

2.1.4 Position of Shrimp-larvae in hyperbenthic food web

2.1.5 Organization of Workshops

Alba CallesVeronica RuizSonia Guartatanga

Alba CallesVeronica RuizSonia Guartatanga

Alba CallesSonia Guartatanga

Sonia Guartatanga

Sonia GuartatangaAlba Calles

Veronica Ruiz

Veronica Ruiz

Veronica Ruiz

Implemented (all year round)






Not implemented. The doctoral work schedule was redesigned and will be worked at CENAIM during 2006.

Implemented (2 workshops, October)

3. An adequate number of sufficiently trained personnel (academic, technical and support staff) in environmental tools is added to ESPOL’s critical mass (20 %)

3.1. Training of personnel3.1.1. Training Doctoral

and Master Students

3.1.1.3. Continuation6 of a Ph. D. Program for Program in Environmental Indicators for River basin Management (Luis Dominguez)

3.1.1.4. Completing of he Ph. D. research in Agriculture Economics (Paul Herrera)

3.1.1.6. Continuation of research activities on the Ph. D. program in GIS-Based DSS Systems (Indira Nolivos)

3.1.1.7. Continuation of research activities on the Ph. D. program in Benthos (Alba Calles)

3.1.1.8. Continuation of research activities on the Ph. D. program in food web in benthos (Veronica Ruiz)

3.1.2. Training course on biotic monitoring of rivers

3.1.2.1. First international training course is given by Prof. de Pauw

3.1.2.2.

3.1.3. Training of Lab personnel

3.1.4. Presentations of research results in international conferences

3.1.6. Training course on Multivariate analysis

M.Pilar CornejoLeo Van Biesen

Niels de PauwPeter GoethelsDavid MatamorosLuis Domínguez

Guido Van HuylenbrookRamón EspinelPaúl Herrera

Leo Van BiesenM.Pilar CornejoZobeida CisnerosIndira Nolivos

Magda VincxM.Pilar CornejoFernando ArcosAlba Calles

Magda VincxLaurence MassautVeronica Ruiz

Patricia UrdialesNiels de PauwPeter GoethelsM.Pilar CornejoLuis Dominguez

Veronica RuizESPOL assistants

Luis Dominguez (1)David Matamoros (3)M.Pilar Cornejo (3)A. Calles (1)J. Duque (1)

M. Pilar CornejoLaurence MassautStanislaus Sonneholzner


Implemented (June 2005)

Implemented 80% (There is a delay in the dissertation proposal finalization)


Implemented 80% (There is a delay in the lab experiments at CENAIM)

Implemented (August 2005 and January-Febrero 2006; two courses were given one in Ecuador and one in Brazil with aid of UNESCO, CAZALAC, ITAIPU BINACIONAL). Only one course was planned

Implemented (October)

Implemented (In parenthesis times presented): October, May, August and October, August, October and March; May; May

Not implemented- changed: It was assessed that VLIR group needed an experimental design course. It was agreed with CENAIM-

6 this was wrongly planned as completion for Luis Dominguez. He started his pre-doctotal studies in 2003, and his doctoral ones in 2004.

FIMCM to have a joint international course taught by CENAIM (March 2006)

4. With active participation of the Project Team, the research unit in charge of Project 4 is chartered by ESPOL as the Reference Center to support Assessment and Decision-Making in river basin and coastal environmental management and is integrated within the institutional structure to handle with environmental issues (15%)

4.1 Preparation of Draft of Strategic Plan for Management of Environmental Issues at ESPOL

M.Pilar CornejoJorge DuqueRamon EspinelDavid MatamorosPaul Herrera

Implemented (The Institute of Chemistry Sciences is now of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences; the Agriculture Engineering includes now Agro ecology)

5. Curriculum at ESPOL is enhanced by the knowledge acquired in Project 4 (15%)

5.1. Curriculum Enhancement.

1. Preparation of undergraduate courses

2. Training of professors

3. Development of environmental curse materials

4. Preparation of Draft M.Sc. Programme in Environmental Issues

David MatamorosPaul HerreraJorge DuqueSonia GuartatangaAlba Calles

David MatamorosPaul HerreraAlba Calles

Jorge DuqueM.Pilar CornejoNiels de PauwPeter GoethelsPatricia UrdialesPaul HerreraRamon Espinel

David MatamorosPaul HerreraJorge DuqueSonia GuartatangaAlba Calles

M.Pilar CornejoLaurence Massaut

Implemented (The responsible ones have incorporated project results within their courses and a new course –post-graduate- in Conflict Potential to Potential Cooperation in Water with UNESCO has been taught for the first time. It is expected to become a permanent course)

Implemented (80%). Formal Proposals are not ready. Only for the Institute of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences

Implemented: August, January and February (Two international courses on Biotic Monitoring of rivers, one on Conflict Potential to Potential Cooperation in Water)

Implemented (50% Material is ready but a formal draft is not ready)

Implemented (50%; it does not correspond to this year


More activities were performed because Project 4 team project proposals submission and the relationship with the International Hydrological Program of UNESCO

Overall, of all the projects proposed during this VLIR year, three won were from competitive funds, and executed through March 2006, and one with CONESUP (it started in February 2006 for two years). These meant €23,950 more during 2005-06 and 49,593 more for 2006-07. These projects are:

Director Title/DURATION FUNDS/SOURCE E-mail

Ramón Espinel (thesis co-promotor of Paul Carrera)

"Social Capital In Irrigated Agriculture: Implications For Development And Resource Management In Water User's Associations In The Daule River Valley And In Proyecto Babahoyo" /(6 Months) € 4,185.91 (VLIR)

[email protected]

David Matamoros Camposano (First Ph.D. graduate in the program)

"Application Of The Watershed Sustainability Index (Wsi) In The Chaguana Ruver Basin, El Oro Province And Its Influence Area"/(6 Months) € 6,378.56 (VLIR)

[email protected]

Justo Huayamave Navarrete

"Environmental Baseline Of Daule River From The Water Quality Point Of View"/(6 Months) € 7,973.29 (VLIR)

[email protected]

Laurence Massaut

Investigación Sobre La Relación Bacteria-Fitoplancton Simulando Un Estanque Camaronero A Través De Un Modelo Matemático. €49,593 (CONESUP)

[email protected]

TOTAL €72,843.28

Seven project profiles related to Project 4 were prepared during this period and submitted to FUNDACYT –CEREPS (Ecuadorian National Science Foundation). The deadline was April 10, and responses are expected by mid-year. They are listed below:

Director Title/DURATION AMOUNT(US$) E-mail

M. Pilar Cornejo

SISTEMA DE ALERTA CLIMÁTICA TEMPRANA PARA PRODUCCIÓN ACUÍCOLA – AGRÍCOLA DE LA FRANJA COSTERA ECUATORIANA

383,897.92 [email protected]

Jose Chang GESTIÓN INTEGRAL DEL AGUA EN LA CUENCA DEL RÍO CHAGUANA


Eduardo Mendieta

GENERACIÓN ELÉCTRICA ALTERNATIVA PARA USO DOMÉSTICO UTILIZANDO COMBUSTIBLE HIDRÓGENO.


Indira Nolivos

MANEJO EMERGENTE DE RECURSOS HÍDRICOS EN LA PROVINCIA DE EL ORO Y LOS RÍOS


Justo Huayamave

EVALUACIÓN DE LOS NIVELES DE CONTAMINACIÓN ORGÁNICA Y QUÍMICA EN EL RÍO DAULE Y SUS POBLACIONES ÍCTICAS.

299,[email protected]

Sonia Guartatanga

DESARRROLLO DE UNA METODOLOGÍA DE EVALUACIÓN BIOLÓGICA BASADA EN MACROINVERTEBRADOS ACUÁTICOS PARA LA DETERMINACIÓN DE LA CALIDAD DE AGUA EN ARROYOS Y RÍOS 96,250.00

[email protected]

Bonny Bayot

DESARROLLO DE UN SISTEMA ALERTA TEMPRANA DE EPIDEMIAS PARA CAMARÓN DE CULTIVO EN EL ECUADOR

71,600.00

[email protected]

TOTAL 1,834,043.92

The Multivariate course that was planned for this period was changed for a training course on Experimental Design for a larger group and the multivariate one for small group. This changed did not affect the program. An

mailto:[email protected]








assessment of proposals submitted to competitive funds, and other ESPOL sources indicated weakness in this area. At the same time FIMCM-CENAIM was interested in the same theme, hence VLIR-ESPOL joined them within their CTB-BTC program to have an international experimental design course for the region (29 attendants: 17 from VLIR-ESPOL and 12 from Latin America). We did have a small, internal training course on the usage of the software PRIMER for multivariate analysis (Veronica Ruiz was a trainee in this software in previous VLIR year) for the members of Project 4.

Other very important extra activities were:o The visit of one M.Sc. exchange student with U. of Brasilia: Deisy Oliveiros from Brazil. This within

the framework of HELP and the CVI competitive fund projecto One expert on nematodes from Spain visit Alba Calleso Proposal for teaching and MSC level course on Aquatic Ecology to U. of Bergen M.Sc. students for

September 2006o We are working with CENAIM on developing a M.Sc. in Aquatic Sciences.


The difference in expenditure is mainly from two sources; one is from the funds obtained from the competitive projects (€23,950) and the second one from the exchange rate surplus (this is detailed below). The funds were used to advance research in the case of the competitive funds, in areas related with P4 and determined as important from previous research results. The surplus amount served us to extend the results obtained in the Chaguana river to other river basins in Ecuador as well as abroad in Latin American. It is important to mention that for the Second International course on Biomonitoring, UNESCO-URUGUAY provided about 8,000, CAZALAC about 3000 and ITAIPU BINACIONAL 26,000 dollars; VLIR-ESPOL P4 contribution was less than 10% of the total.

Also the exchange rate between euros and dollars produce a surplus amount in dollars, which was used for the following:

EVENT MONTH PLACE SPONSOR VLIR-ESPOL

CO-FUNDING

TOTAL

#PEOPLE

IRRIGATION DISTRICTS MEETING III

7/05 AMERICA LOMAS

VLIR-ESPOL, AMERICA LOMAS DISCTRICT

$900.00 $450.00 $1,350 110

IRRIGATION DISTRICTS MEETING IV

10/05 BABAHOYO VLIR-ESPOL, U. TECNICA DE BABAHOYO

$900.00 $2,000.00 $2,900 200

FEMINA 2005 10/05 GUAYAQUIL VLIR-ESPOL, ESPOL, FIMCM, FIMCP, FIEC

$800.00 $7,000.00 $7,800

UNIVERSITY ASSESMENT ON HUMAN RESOURCES-WATER

11/05 GUAYAQUIL VLIR-ESPOL $200.00 $200 20

PROJECT 4 RESULTS PRESENTATION

12/05 GUAYAQUIL VLIR-ESPOL $200.00 $200

MEETING WITH PREFECTOS OF LOS RIOS AND EL ORO PROVINCE

12/05 GUAYAQUIL VLIR-ESPOL $100.00 $100 20

SECOND INTERNATIONAL COURSE ON BIOMONITORING

1-2/06 FOZ DE IGUAÇU

VLIR-ESPOL, PHI-UNESCO, CAZALAC, ITAIPU BINACIONAL

$2,450.00

$37,000.00

$39,450

25

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

3/06 GUAYAQUIL VLIR-ESPOL, CTB-BTC

$20,000.00

TOTAL $5,550.0 $66,450.0 $72,00 375

0 0 0 SURPLUS EXCHANGE RATE

$5,118.84

DIFFERENCE $(431.16)


The level of achievement is much higher than expected. There is local and international recognition on ESPOL team abilities to deal with environmental issues from different perspectives. This can be reflected in the fact that P4 VLIR-ESPOL team is involved in international working groups and leading two of them for Latin America and the Caribbean as follows:

Thematic Group Person/position/institutionBio Indicators and SATELITES Pilar Ycaza/Rsearcher/CNRHConflict Potential to Potential Cooperation (water)

Jorge Duque/Group Coordinator/UNESCO-IHP-LAC

The problem of scales David Matamoros/group member/UNESCO-IHP-GLOBAL SECRETARIAT

Social Capital Ramón Espinel & Paul Herrera/group leaders/ESPOLIntegrated Water Management M.Pilar Cornejo/Coordinator/HELP-LAC

Advisory group of experts to UNESCO on disasters risk management in Latin America and the Caribbean

M.Pilar Cornejo/group member/GERM-UNESCO-LAC

Locally P4 team has cooperated with CNRH, CEDEGE7, other Universities and the “Prefectos” of two provinces requested help for coping with water availability problems. This ended in a proposal submitted to FUNDACYT.

The main factors of success are the integration across disciplines, the support that the VLIR framework is providing to researchers, and especially the trust developed with people from different regions and institutions.

The results from the Chaguana research will be presented next year in South Africa, within the context of the Southern Hemisphere HELP conference. The main theme is “Lessons learnt from the South”. Within this context, P4 is looking for the possibility of South-South cooperation with other river basin research supported by different agencies of the Belgium government prior to the meeting (November 2007). In this context, we are looking for twinning of catchments; mainly seeking support for the people working on the Ecuadorian and Chinese river basins (TARIM) to exchange visits to each other group for replication of experiences. So far P. Cornejo and Professor Zhang Jibing (Director of Water Law and Policy Program in the Xingjian Institute of Ecology and Geography/Chinese Academy of Sciences) thought that Ecuador could learn the satellite applications from the Chinese experience and China could learn about the Social Capital, Law and Policy problems from Ecuador. The Chinese research is supported through the Katholieke University of Leuven (Prof. Patrick Willens). There are also some other river basins in Africa but P. Cornejo has not identified yet their project leaders.


P4-EMSAA research team ability to obtain funds for research has increased over time (see next figure). It is very important to stress the fact that in spite of lacking a post-doctoral program, the environment created at ESPOL by the VLIR-ESPOL program has provided a similar niche. In the case of Paul Herrera (graduated on July 2005), Dr. Ramón Espinel, ESPOL professor, has acted as his senior adviser and in a joint action, all together during 2003-2005 they got US$ 50,000 in funding, while for 2005-2006 the amount double. They represented half of the funding of the group during last year (2005-2006). As for the case of David Matamoros, he has lacked a senior researcher working with him. In spite of this, and his teaching load, he has done two things:

1) gathered about US$ 20,000 in research funds2) helped other ESPOL professors to be involved in research. One of them got funded through competitive

VLIR-FUNDS, and has submitted two proposals for the total amount of US$ 310,000. A second ESPOL’s professor sent a proposal for U$320,000.

In this sense, D. Matamoros has had a multiplication – multidisciplinary impact on ESPOL. He is also involved in around five research proposals as associated researcher-advisor.

7 Comision de Estudios para el Desarrollo de la Cuenca del Río Guayas

The following figure shows the level of fund raising aside from the approved VLIR budget. The Foreign event category includes participation of P4-EMSAA members in international; the training and capacity building are local and external training.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

FUND RAISING

2005-2006 2003-2005 TOTAL

TOTAL $57,000.00 $141,450.00 $365,492.99 $563,942.99

2003-2005 $28,000.00 $40,000.00 $166,848.43 $234,848.43

2005-2006 $29,000.00 $101,450.00 $198,644.56 $329,094.56

FOREIGN EVENTSTRAINING& CAPACITY

BUILDINGPROJECTS TOTAL

The first two Ph.D. graduates of EMSAA, D. Matamoros and P. Herrera received appointment as ESPOL tenured teachers (“nombramiento”), in July 1st and November 1st, 2005. During June 2004 through June 2005, D. Matamoros worked under ESPOL Rector preparing the proposal to review and reorganized the Chemistry Science Institute. The final result was a change not only in its name (now it is Chemistry and Environmental Sciences Institute) but also in its structure and is professors attitude towards research (they have submitted now 2 proposals to VLIR competitive funds and 2 to FUNDACYT-CEREPS). Also, D. Matamoros belongs now to this institute. The insertion of P. Herrera helped the re-organization of the Agriculture Engineer career. His work under Dr. Espinel resulted in an innovative curriculum. Its results could be evaluated in approximately 4-5 years.

Sonia Guartatanga (benthos lab) has been hired as teacher for the new degree (2005) in Marine Biology as well as Alba Calles (Ph.D. student). The abilities and knowledge acquired within EMSAA are transmitted through their class work. S. Guartatanga has also submitted research proposals to FUNDACYT. It is expected that Alba Calles will join the pool of teachers for the Marine Biology career upon finishing her doctoral studies in November 2006. She has bee already included in the academic planning.In relationship to the Institutional Capability: we have continuous funding from UNESCO ESPOL is now a reference center for water; e.g.

o ESPOL was approached by two “Prefectos” to develop a proposal to cope with the drought emergency

o El Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería (MAG) has asked ESPOL to prepare a climate alert system for agriculture in coastal Ecuador

o Advisors (ad -honorem) for the Agriculture Minister and National Council for water resources

There is a Cooperative agreement among 4 Universities signed in October There is Cooperative agreement with IICA , UTB and ESPOL

Educational quality

The main goal of EMSAA is research and not teaching. The research results are disseminated and use in teaching by EMSAA team members. Aside form this, EMSAA organizes training course per request and to disseminate techniques use in the project for local and regional adoption.

Annexes



PROJECT 5: MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES FOR A SUSTAINABLE SHRIMP AQUACULTURE (MATESA)

FLEMISH PROJECT LEADER: Prof. Dr. Liliane ShoofsLOCAL PROJECT LEADER: Dr. Julie NietoPROJECT TEAM MEMBERS: • Ana Gutierrez; Scholar-Researcher

Ma. de Lourdes Cobo, M.Sc. ; Associate Researcher. Laura Mejía, Administrative Coordinator of CENAIM. Several research assistants.

Project OUTPUT aimed atPlanned ACTIVITIES

in view ofthe output aimed at

Responsible PARTY

IMPLEMENTATION N = Not yet implemented If implemented, time of

implementation

1.1 Establishment of experimental recirculating system

As proposed in AP2006 (Oct 2005) In vivo trials (in three

units)

Additional Activity incorporated to AP2006 in february 2006:. Determination of

umbrella ingestion Feeding experiments

regime rotifers-umbrella Reduction of suspended

solid load (chemical method)

First Trial in 3 experimental unit

Ma. Lourdes Cobo

Ma. Lourdes Cobo

Ma. Lourdes Cobo

Ma. Lourdes Cobo

Ma. Lourdes Cobo

30% implemented

100% Implemented november 2006100% Implemented february 2007

100% Implemented march 2007

Not implemented

1.2.Screening of putative

probiotics Selection of probiotics

based on in vitro assay Selection of probiotics

based on in vivo assay Evaluation of doses and

frequency of administration

Evaluate single strain v.s. mixtures (cocktails)

Evaluate administration methods (water-live food)

Ma. Lourdes Cobo

Ma. Lourdes Cobo

Ma. Lourdes Cobo

Ma. Lourdes Cobo

100% implemented april 2006

100% implemented june 2006

Not implemented

ACTIVITIES SHIFTED TO BE EXECUTED IN 2008 (5TH YEAR OF SECOND PHASE)

2.1. Purification of ecdysiotropin (continuation)

Purification steps (Belgium)

Bioassays with resulting fractions (in vitro culture) (Ecuador)

Mass spectrometry Sequence analysis

(Belgium) Synthetic and antibody

preparation Characterization of

peptide: Immunocytochemical

Liliane Schoofs

Ana Gutierrez and Julia Nieto

Liliane Schoofs

Liliane Schoofs

Ana Gutierrez and Julia NietoAna Gutierrez and Julia

100% implemented

100% implemented

100% implemented

Not implemented

Not implemented

studies Nieto Not implemented

2.2.Characterization of neuropeptides during molt

Purificiation of ILP and IGF from shrimp tissue

Inmunohistochemistry study (characterization of shrimp ILP and IGF)

Additional Activity: Expression studies of

genes related to ILP in shrimp tissues during molt

Ana Gutierrez, Julia Nieto and Liliane Schoofs

Ana Gutierrez, Julia Nieto and Liliane Schoofs

Ana Gutiérrez, Liliane Schoofs

100% implemented january 2006 - executed but results were not favourable – change to additional activity

100% implemented october 2006

100% february 2006

3.1 Implementation of proteomic technology

Expression study of peptides involved in molt-growth

Expression study of peptides involved in stress

Additional Activity:Implementation of image digitalization (scanner) and analysis

Julia Nieto, Yordan Vivanco

Julia Nieto,Yordan Vivanco

Julia Nieto, Yordan Vivanco

In course, 20% implemented

60% implemented

75% implemented

Comparison between the planned and the present implementation of the Activities Programme

Activity 1.1 (Recirculating system for shrimp larvae)

Changes were included in the activities related to recirculating unit trials, because the traditional feeding regime (use of rotifers) was not viable under intensive conditions (protozoa contamination), therefore it was necessary to find a new alternative. In this case umbrella stage of Artemia was proposed, but since it had not been tested before in shrimp, preliminary tests regarding feeding and doses were necessary to be performed before running in the recirculating units (see additional activities undertaken). Additionally it was necessary to find means of eliminating suspended solids during the first stages of the culture, and tests were run to reduce the organic matter with specific bacterial strains (commercial products).

Delays in the run of the final trials in the recirculating units have been due to the need of first undertaking experiments (change in live food regime and chemical treatment of suspended solids) as well as disponibility of centrifuge for algae concentration (reparing has taken 2 months). At the moment two industrial centrifuges to concentrate the algae are available and we expect to run trials during the first-second trimester of the next year (2007-2008). These are the final trials in order to conclude the experimental part of the doctoral thesis.

Activities 1.2 (Screening of putative probiotics)

As indicated in the annual report of the previous year, the probiotic subcomponent was eliminated from the doctoral thesis of M.Sc. Ma. Lourdes Cobo. Therefore the activities which appear in this subcomponent for the AP2006 (submitted in october 2005) where not executed. The execution of the activities forseen have been delayed for the 5th year (2008-2009).

Nevertheless, a second in vivo trial to test probiotic activity of new selected bacteria strains and confirm previous activity of bacteria tested in the first experiment were undertaken during the first trimester of the year (may-june 2006). As result of this second trial a poster was presented in ESPOLciencia 2006 which took place in November

2006 in Guayaquil (sponsered by VLIR).

Activity 2.1 (Purification of ecdysiotropin)

Three purification steps have been accomplished and two interesting fractions have been obtained. Mass spectrometry (Q-TOF) of the fractions were underataken and a last purification step was suggested (to clean the peptides). At the time these fractions require the last in vivo assay to confirm activity. We expect to have a pure peptide for sequence in a few weeks (end of april).

Activity 2.2 (Characterization of neuropeptides related with molt)

The results of the activities undertaken in the field of Insulin-like peptides and their involvement in molt/growth have resulted in the preparation of a paper which was submitted and revised for publication in the journal of General and Comparative Endocrinology. This information was also presented as a poster in a conference in Manchester-UK (september 2006). Likewise, further results were presented locally as an oral presentation in ESPOLciencia (november 2006).In addition, since the purification of ILP from shrimp was not successful (HPLC purification), a novel approach for the identification of ILP in shrimp has been pursued this year. The use of molecular biology approach, for expression studies and cloning of shrimp genes for heterologous ILP sequences (ex: insects or mammals).

Activity 3.1 (Proteomic technology)

The implementation of technology has taken longer than expected, in terms of time and unforseen problems (breakdown of refrigerated centrifuge and delay in shipping of scanner to Ecuador). CENAIM has allocated personnel to speed up results in this activity (Yordan Vivanco - Cesar Gonzabay) and to transfer the expertise to other technicians. One of the problems has concerned, visualization of profiles (poor) and digitalization in order comparison of samples. High technology imaging is required (scanner was purchased at the beginning of the year) to digitalize the information prior to analysis. It was only possible to get the scanner to Ecuador in february 2006. Since then we have started to compare profiles prepared during the year for expression studies of peptides involved in stress, and have continued with the programmed activities.

Ph.D scholarships and program._

The main activities during 2006-2007 have centered in the finalization of the Ph.D programs of María de Lourdes Cobo (Shrimp larviculture technology) and Ana Gutiérrez (Physiology of molt and growth in shrimp).

The AP2006 presented in the beginning of october 2005 proposed as Ph.D program for M.Sc. María de Lourdes Cobo activities both in Engineering innovation (through recirculating systems and automatization) as well as Production technology (probiotics). Nevertheless, in a discussion held during the visit of Prof. Patrick Sorgeloos (thesis promotor) to Ecuador (end of october), the thesis program was restructured, eliminating Probiotic Technology from the thesis program, focusing in Recirculation Technology. This decision was taken in order to complete the thesis in the initially proposed time (end of 4th year). The activities related to the Probiotic topic would be continued once the Ph.D is completed. This change was put to consideration of the local committee and approved in february 2006, during visit of the Belgian Project Coordinator, Prof. Magda Vincx.

As stated previously, in the initial plan for the 2nd Phase it was forseen that both Ph.D programms would end by march 2007 (end of 4th year second phase), but due to the results in the research activities during this 4th year, both students have been in the need to undertake new experiments to complete their research (Recirculation Technology – search of substitute of rotifer as live food under intensive-recirculating conditions)(Shrimp Physiology – Molecular Biology approach for the characterization of gene expression during growth and molt). In September 2006 these delays were proposed, discussed and approved by the local promotor committee during the visit of Prof Magda Vincx to Ecuador. The new deadline is march 2008.

Funding for the extra year for the Ph.D’s is being seeked in local government assigments through the CEREPS co-funding call (may and november 2006). Both students have presented their projects to these calls (see annexes) and are pending fund assigment confirmation.

Justification of the differences between the approved budget and the present cost (explanation of exchange differential use).

Due to a difference in exchange rates during the year (2006-2007) an extra amount, not considered at the beginning of the year, has been available. Surplus values favouring the budget were allocated to the execution of the additional activities which have been detailed in the activity report table (feeding trials, suspended soil treatment, IGP expression and cloning studies).

Regarding the purchases undertaken in 2006-07, eventhough purchase of equipment had not been initially forseen, a laptop computer was acquired for Ma. Lourdes Cobo since the computer purchased in 2003 by the project has presented in the last year problems with its screen and hard disk, affecting the development of research (reports, experimental data analysis, paper and thesis writing).

Proffesional services were hired (6.8% of budget spent - 1,340 euros) in order to aid execution and continuation of activities during period of time in which students were in Belgium, or for reparation of specialized equipment.

With reference to the budget allocated to be spent in Belgium, it corresponds to 39% of project’s 5 budget – 12,478 euros – (66% for doctorate scholarships, 18% to visit of promotor and 16% for purchase of liquids or materials which can’t be purchased in Ecuador). Regarding the doctorate scholarships, both students travelled to Belgium as inittially forseen, but since conclusion of doctoral programs were delayed, the budget forseen for the Ecuadorian promotor (Dr. Julie Nieto) to travel for doctoral dissertations, was used to travel to Belgium to identify and discuss with potential partners about future collaborations and projects, as a mean to ensure sustainability and aid the phasing out process.

General comments with respect to the Programme Implementation.

- Institutional impact and Sustainability

Once again, the use and implementation of state of the art methodology allows us to be competitive in the research field in which they are applied. The use of molecular biology technology such as gene expression and cloning is innovating and provides new insights for the topic being studied (shrimp endocrinology and physiology). And once more, the statement made two years ago is still valid - “the implementation of technologies which are at the verge of the new research technology provides the institution with new tools for innovating and attaining goals in a shorter time span, and provides of means to interact with local and regional universities or institutes which can also benefit from the implementation of these technologies. In this way the institution becomes attractive to other researchers in order to begin collaborations.” CIBE (project 3) and CENAIM (project 5) have come closer thanks to technology implementation and has resulted in the preparation and approval of collaboration projects (CEREPS 2006 – 126,000 US – Molecular characterization of microbial populations in agricultural and aquacultural soils of the coastal region through DGGE). Additionally, the establishment of the technology (proteomics and gene expression studies) stimulates the interaction with other research teams at CENAIM (ex: immunology).

Annexes


1. Activities1.1. Activity Reports

1.1.1. Weekly reports (Physiology Sub-Component) – Ana GutiÈrrez1.1.2. Weekly reports (Recirculation Sub-Component) – Ma. Lourdes Cobo1.1.3. Weekly Reports (Proteomic Sub-Component) – Julie Nieto

1.2. Congress attendance1.2.1. Espolciencia (folder)

1.2.1.1. Oral Presentation1.2.1.1.1. Power point presentation – Ana Gutierrez1.2.1.1.2. Acceptance of presentation

1.2.2. Poster Presentation1.2.2.1 Poster – Ma. Lourdes Cobo

1.2.2. Internacional Conference (folder)1.2.2.1. Abstract conference 1.2.2.2. Letter of acceptance1.2.2.3. Poster – pdf – Ana Gutierrez1.2.2.4. Poster – powerpoint version – Ana GutiÈrrez1.2.2..5. Report of trip – Ana GutiÈrrez

1.3. Research1.3.1 Publications

1.3.1.1 Referee journal1.3.2 Co-funding proposals

1.4. Scholarship


1.4.1. Ana Gutierrez - Activity Report “Stage” Belgium – (Doctorate Student)1.4.2. Ma. Lourdes Cobo - Activity Report “Stage” Belgium – (Doctorate Student)1.4.3. Julie Nieto – Report Visit Belgium february – (Co-promotor))

2. Books

3. Budget

4. Equipment & Furniture

4.1. List of equipment purchase during 2006

5. Staff5.1. List of personnel involved in Project (Ecuador and Belgium)

6. WorkShops6.1. Larviculture WorkShop/short course

6.1.1. Powerpoint presentations – Ma. Lourdes Cobo

PROJECT 6: APPLICATIONS RESEARCH OF NON-METALLIC MATERIALS.

FLEMISH PROJECT LEADER: Prof. Dr. Jan ElsenLOCAL PROJECT LEADER: Dr. Cecilia ParedesPROJECT TEAM MEMBERS: M.Sc. Mauricio Cornejo, Responsible of Sub-Component:

Construction Material. M.Sc. Andrés Rigail, Co-Responsible of Sub-Component:

Construction Material Dr. Paúl Carrión; Responsible of Sub-Component: Territorial

Arrangement. Sr. Juan Carlos Pindo; Assistant of Sub-Component:

Territorial Arrangement. Dr. Fernando Morante; Responsible of Sub-Component:

Zeolites. Sr. Francisco Montalván; Assistant of Sub-Component:

Zeolites. M.Sc. Miguel Quilambaqui; Responsible Zeolites.- Farming

Applications. M.Sc. Lieven Michaels, Doctoral Student of Subcomponent

Zeolites Ing. Erick Aguilar; Assistant of Sub-Component Construction

Materials. M.Sc. Ruben Snellings, Researcher of Subcomponent

Zeolites Srta. Patricia Arriciaga; Assistant of Sub-Component

Construction Materials. Sr. Walter Correa; Assistant of Sub-Component Construction

Materials. Ing. Glenda Loayza; Assistant of Sub-Component: Territorial

Arrangement. Srta. Mónica Rodriguez, Administrative Assistant. M.Sc. Ana Morales; Responsible of Sub-Component Clays. Srta. Helen Novillo, Administrative Assistant Ing. Miguel González; Master Scholar. Srta. Andrea Suárez, Administrative Assistant Ing. Rodrigo Perugachi, Technical and Administrative

Assistant of Program.- researcher of Sub-component Clays. Sr. Daniel Rodríguez; Web-Site Designer. M.Sc. Wilmer Vásquez, researcher of Sub-componet Clays Ing. Xavier Villacís, Researcher FIMCP-ESPOL Ing. Ronald Guerra, researcher of Sub-componet Clays M.Sc.Andres Simbaña, Adviser-Researcher-Pontificia

Universidad de Ibarra (PUCE) Ing. Miguel Peralta; Assistant of Sub-Component: Clays Dr. Piercosimo Tripaldi, Adviser-Universidad de Azuay(UDA) Ing. Javier Bermúdez; Assistant of Sub-Component

Construction Materials. Alcides Lopes Leao, Adviser- Universidad Estadual Paulista

(UNESP) Botacatu, Brazil Sr. Clotario Tapia; Assistant of Sub-Component Construction

Materials. Sr. Carlos Correa; Assistant of Sub-Component Construction

Materials.

Project OUTPUT aimed at Planned ACTIVITIES in view of

the output aimed at

Responsible PARTYIMPLEMENTATION

N = Not yet implemented

Y= If implemented, time

of implementation1. ESPOL has a better understanding of the quality and quantity of selected deposits of natural zeolites by characterizing them and doing applied research in agricultural and other sectors (i.e cement, aquiculture)

1.1 Initial Geological Characterization of Zeolites

1.1.11 Planning and field work with Flemish students

Fernando MoranteJavier MontalvánLieven MachielsRuben SnellingsJuan Guerrero

Y(July/06-August/06)

1.1.13 Edition and publication scientific papers

Fernando MoranteLieven MachielsRuben SnellingsJan ElsenLaureano Canoira

YSubmitted Feb 07

1.1.16 Execution of undergraduate thesis projects

Fernando MoranteLieven MachielsRuben SnellingsJan ElsenLaureano Canoira

Y2006

Other Applications(outside VLIR funds)

1.2.13 Design of the projectsFernando MoranteMiguel Quilambaqui

Y2006

1.2.14 Execution of the projects Fernando MoranteMiguel Quilambaqui

Y2006

1.2.15 Execution of Seminar Fernando MoranteMiguel Quilambaqui

Y2006

2. ESPOL gathers knowledge about selected clay deposits in the PSE by characterizing its geological and mineralogical properties and finding suitable applications for these clay resources

2.2 Geology and Pre-selection of favorable areas (deposits)2.2.1 Planning and field work with Flemish students

N

2.3 Cartography and deposit selection of clays for industrial uses2.3.1 Detailed geological cartography of favorable deposits.

Ana MoralesJuan Pindo

Y2006

2.3.2 Sample acquisitionRonald Guerra Y

20062.3.3 Detailed characterization of samples

Wilmer VásquezRonald Guerra

Y2006

2.3.4 Selection of deposits for exploitation

Wilmer VásquezRonald Guerra

Y2006-2007

2.3.5 Reserve evaluationWilmer VásquezRonald Guerra

Y2006-2007

2.3.6 Analysis of results based on economical, mining and

Ana MoralesWilmer Vásquez

Y2006-2007

environmental points of view2.3.7 Digitalization of 3 geological charts of the Ecuadorian Coastal Region

Juan PindoRonald Guerra

Y2006-2007

2.3.8 Carrying out of MSc. work on clay geology

Ana MoralesRonald GuerraAngélica Varajão

Y(In progress)


Cecilia Paredes Y2006-2007

2.4 Applications

2.4.1 Development of applications with clays

Cecilia ParedesRodrigo PerugachiAna MoralesJan Elsen

Y2006-2007

2.4.4 Design of proposals outside VILR funds

Ana MoralesCecilia ParedesRodrigo Perugachi

Y2006-2007

2.4.5 Execution of projectsRodrigo PerugachiWalter Correa

Y2006-2007

2.4.6 Carrying out of PhD. work on clay applications

Ana Morales YIn Progress

2.4.7 Publication of articles about clay

Cecilia ParedesRodrigo PerugachiAna Morales

Y2006

3. ESPOL gathers knowledge of selected construction materials deposits in the PSE and helps develop projects for adding value to the raw materials for a sustainable development of this region

3.2 Evaluation of the deposits of construction materials3.2.1 Planning and field work with Flemish students

N

3.4 Cartography of geomineral environment of the construction materials

3.4.1 Complementary field trips (lifting)

Mauricio CornejoMiguel Gonzalez

Y2006

3.4.3 MDT of areas of interest Mauricio Cornejo Y3.4.2 Digitalization of 7

geological charts of the Ecuadorian Coastal Region

Mauricio CornejoJuan Carlos Pindo

Y

3.4.4 Printing of cartography maps

Juan Carlos PindoGlenda Loayza

Y

3.4.5 Planning and execution of seminar

Rodrigo PerugachiClotario TapiaMiguel Gonzalez

Y2006

3.4.6 Edition and publication of book

Mauricio CornejoJuan Carlos Pindo

Y(In progress)


Mauricio CornejoCecilia ParedesAndrés Rigail

Y(Abril/06-In progress)

3.6 Accreditation of laboratory3.6.1 Initial process, trainning and preparation for accreditation

Rodrigo Perugachi Y

4. ESPOL proposes a Mining Territorial Arrangement (TA) program of non-metallic materials for selected deposits in the PSE and has a pilot plan developed within the local communities in the PSE

Y(In Progress)

4.2 Integration of topographic and geological maps (44 maps)4.2.2 Carrying on MSc. Thesis with GIS (Outside VLIR Funds)

Glenda Loayza Y( In Progress)


Glenda LoayzaLely LadinesJuan Carlos Pindo

Y(In Progress)

4.3 Digitalization and Integration of the information generated in the program by the other components4.3.1 Integration of the results given by the other components in GIS

Paul CarriónGlenda Loayza

4.4 Initial proposal of Territorial Mining Environmental Ordination Program

Y

Territorial Management in quarries in Guayaquil

Y

4.4.4 Publication of article about territorial management

Paul CarriónGlenda Loayza

Y

Territorial Ordination in PSEAssessment of the natural resources (patrimony)of the PSE

4.4.8 Carrying out of other proposals on territorial management in places within the scope of the program

Paul CarriónGlenda LoayzaLely Ladines

Y

4.4.9 Carrying out of ther proposals on territorial management in places within the scope of the program

Paul CarriónGlenda LoayzaLely Ladines

Y


This year we have put a lot of emphasis on implementing the accredited laboratory. We started writing proposals for this matter, and one was accepted by the Ecuadorian SENACYT. Also the President of ESPOL, Dr. Moisés Tacle has committed an amount approximately to 800000 UDS for equipment for this laboratory.

Also the selection of an adequate company to help us get through the accreditation was performed as well as some initial training for all the people that will be involved in this laboratory. It is important to note that this process is very long and tedious and needs a lot of preliminary information adquiring. This will be mainly done in the fifth year of the project.


With reference to the implementation of the activity programme as outlined in previous sections of the report, a detailed explanation will be provided regarding:

the actual expenditure rate as compared to the total budget allocated; the actual expenditure against the different budget lines as compared to the budget allocated to the

different budget lines.

The main change in the budget took place due to the following circumstances:

The expense foreseen (€ 1.942.42) in order to reimburse the debt and the maintenance of the RXD was negotiated to be paid by the Faculty of Earth Science, since mainly the equipment will remain there and we will be getting a brand new equipment with the budget given by the RECTOR. This allowed us to transfer this amount to buy software for a previously equipment that we bought, spectrophotometer, to make it easier for data analysis (€ 651); Also, we were able to pay for the hotel of our co-promotor to assist to the JSC meeting at the end of March, Jan Elsen which included hotel (€ 235), travel for meeting with governmental authorities of Ministry of Energy and Mines (€ 108); Also, we use some money for shipping sample to Belgium for the Ph.D. student work (€ 101) and Service Contract for supporting to develop the project CICM (Center for Material Science and Engineering) that was approval for Secretary of Science and Technology (SENACYT) (€ 845).

The remaining money of the Ph.D. Sholarship (€ 3.885 approx) was proposed in mid September to help us complete a scholarship for our project on a master´s program for Javier Bermudez in KUL-Belgium. It is important to mention that this decision was proposed since Javier Bermudez was given a scholarship by the government but due to the change of government and irregularities on the management of SENACYT, this money was never given to Javier Bermudez. I am glad to report that Mr. Bermudez is doing pretty well in the program and he is scheduled to finish at the end of September 2007. Also, I would like to mention that there was some money left on this item, because Mauricio Cornejo, the Ph.D. Student was not able to go to Belgium, KUL the four full months, since the laboratory where he is mainly working on his Ph.D. was transferring to another facility and the main equipment were shut off. So we were only able to go to KUL for two months, February and March.

Besides, there are some changes regarding the equipments foreseen to buy during the period 2006-2007. The centrifugue was bought on the period 2005-2006 using the funds obtained trough ESPOL Seed Funds within the research project in nanoclays framework named: Obtención De Nanoarcillas Para Aplicaciones Industriales a partir De Las Arcillas Del Grupo Ancon De La Península De Santa Elena (PSE) .This equipment was used for optimizing grain size of the nanoclays.

The following devices were bought during last year as unexpected wages:

EQUIPMENT BRAND MODEL PRICE (S) COMMENTS

ESTUFA MEMMERT UNB500 1.738,00

Laptop Dell

Intel Core Duo Processor ULV U2500 (1.20GHz 2.770,23

To use for sharing online information and analyzing data mainly on Spectrophotometer

UVPC Dekstop - Intel Core Duo 2,13 Ghz 1.120,00

PC Dekstop and UPS - APC BE 500 1.650,00

Competitive Fund-Project 1To use for Territorial Mining Environmental Ordination

Program


This fourth year we concentrated in training, preparation and selection of consulting for implementation of standard ISO 17025 for international accreditation A2LA as well as the procedures, since one of our main objectives is to have at the end of this program a certified characterization lab for materials.

Also, another objective of the fourth year was to verify the most important deposits for future applications of clays to be developed within the group. Deposits have been selected for each group.

- Ancón - Anconcito

- Chanduy - Engabao

- Dos Bocas - Villingota

A report for each subproject, Zeolites, Building Materials, Clays and Territorial Arrangement will be attached to this document. These reports will address directly the achievement of the activities related to each one of them.

The activities 2.2.1 and 3.2.1 were not executed because of the decision from the Belgian co-promoter to send students only from the Zeolites area, due to the results from the first year of study.

There are some changes regarding the equipments foreseen to buy during the period 2006-2007. In order to do research on the field of the nano-materials, the research team decided to buy the centrifuge equipment which was acquired with the unexpended money from 2005-2006. That allowed us to make use foreseen money from 2006-2007 in order to buy equipment required for enhancing the research capacity of the laboratory, such as a laptop and oven.

Supporters:

Project 6 has a lot of challenges ahead, since we need to build the necessary infrastructure to be able to characterize and certify our own materials and terminated products made of non-metallic materials. Because of this, and the fact that in the first year, most of our budget was dedicated to field trips for recognition of these materials and deposits along the Coastal Region, we have tried to work a network of supporters, who have helped us to achieve our initial results. In this list we have:

HOLCIM – Guayaquil, Ecuador: Cement Company, which is allowing us to use their X ray Fluorescence equipment for our clay and building materials samples.

UNIVERSIDAD DE OURO PRETO (UFOP): Ouro Preto, Brazil: There are two students currently enrolled in this university in the graduate program. Ana Morales is now in her third year of the Ph.D. program, and Miguel Peralta started on February 2006 his Masters Program. Through them we are able to utilize the UFOP´s laboratory resources free of charge for Component 6.

UNIVERSIDAD DEL AZUAY (UDA): Ecuadorian University, which is allowing us to use their Termogravimetric Analyzer (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) for our clays samples.

NETWORK: The researchers of Component 6, from Subcomponent of Building Materials and Territorial Management, participated in meetings of the following networks, which allowed us to promote our objectives within the Networks.

o CYTED-RED IBEROAMERICANA XIII E: Ordenamiento de Territorio y Recursos Minerales

Workshops:

This four year we organized one seminar with the University of Kentucky: Dr. M. Pinar Mengüc and Eng. Jaime Sanchez (Doctoral Scholarship of ESPOL). They came from USA on July 2006 and held a seminar on the collaboration between ESPOL, C6 and Kentucky and support for the implementation of nano-scale engineering program. We also presented our results to the JSC committee at the end of March, where almost all the team had a chance to present the advances through presentations and posters.

The project results were socialized in the following events:

1. Workshop: “Nanotechnology: Characterization and process”2. Workshop: “Nanotechnology and the potential impact in developing countries” 3. Workshop: “Geographical Information Systems 9.0”4. Congress: IX Iberoamerican Materials Congress, IBEROMET, developed in Cuba from October 9 to 13,

20065. Congress: II National Research, Technology and Innovation Congress and ESPOLCIENCIA 2006

developed in November 13,14 y 15 ,20066. Workshop: “Final Report of ESPOL Seed Projects” developed in march 21, 20077. Joint Steering Committee meeting.- Overview of the achievements per Project but in general terms

since the start of the Programme (1999 for first phase and 2003 for second phase) developed in April 3rd,2007

Constraints:

The digitalization and integration of maps form Santa Elena Peninsula (in charge of the Territorial Arrangement Sub-Component) will get extended for 6 more months in order to conclude this activity.

Synergies:

We continued our interaction with C2 where the main goal is to help the connectivity of human resources and instrumentation within ESPOL and other groups of Ecuador.

The Components 6 and 7 interacted in order to develop a social-productive project, determining the non-metallic mineral potential within the evaluation of deposits and industrial applications. Other goal was to confront different ways to increase the competitiveness and R&D level of enterprises in order to contribute to society with tangible results.

Overall we believe that Project 6 has achieved 100% of the activities that were proposed.

We believe that our program in on the path to success, in such short time we have been able to use the information gathered from the project and help us develop a research group and apply for funding. This is a list of all new funding obtained this past year:

1. “Centro de Investigación en Ingeniería y Ciencias de Materiales (CICM) como vínculo entre empresas y universidades bajo el contexto del desarrollo sustentable” (270000 USD), SENACYT Funds

2. Equipment for Laboratory (TGA/DSC, XRD, SEM)- 800000 USD, ESPOL Funds3. Ordenación Minera de RRMinerales No Metálicos e Influencia (4000 €), Matching Funds VLIR4. Depuración Aguas Residuales de descarga en el Estero Salado Gye (4000 €), Matching Funds VLIR5. Desarrollo Tecnologías Sustentables para uso de fibras naturales en materiales (4000 €), Matching

Funds VLIR6. Innovación Tecnológica De Los Materiales Utilizados En La Industria Plástica Ecuatoriana (217400

USD), SENACYT Funds, (177000 USD), ASEPLAS Funds and (40000 USD), ESPOL Funds)7. Doctoral Scholarship for Ing. Mauricio Cornejo (10000 USD), SENACYT Funds8. Master Scholarship for Ing. Javier Bermudez (15547 USD), SENACYT Funds


We believe ESPOL has given total support to the development of a materials “area” or research group, because of different reasons:

1. Even though most of our members don’t get paid extra for working on this program, ESPOL has allowed us to discharge 10-30 hours of the 40 mandatory hours of academia. This also is an incentive for working on research and development.

2. ESPOL is looking for funds (a million dollars approximately) in order to acquire new equipment for the materials certifying laboratory.

3. The institution is showing support for involvement in new fields of materials science like nano-materials.

Availability and input of administrative and other support staff;

We have received total support by the support and administrative staff of both Departments that support us: Mechanical Engineering and Earth Science and Engineering. Also de Chemical Science Institute has been working with Component 6 on the chemical analysis of some minerals gathered in the field trips.

Integration of program activities in the institutional development plans of the partner university;

Support has been given to our PhD. Student, Mauricio Cornejo, MSc. Student, Javier Bermudez by the Mechanical engineering Department for their work and they were also considered to teach an introductory course to the Mechanical Engineering students (3rd year). It is important to note that Mauricio Cornejo came from the Department of Earth Science and Engineering.

Also, a couple of separate but related projects to Project 6 were approved for funding by ESPOL, with funds other than VLIR funds.

Indications of support by the central administration;

The Rector and Vice-Rector along with the Deans of both Departments that support Project 6 have been very supportive of our activities.

Educational quality

The impact of our Project in the education quality of ESPOL is evident, especially through thesis projects for undergraduates working within Component 6. We are encouraging the synergy between students of mechanical,

industrial, mining engineering, food engineering, and agricultural engineering to work on materials related projects linking all their fields.

The infrastructure that has been bought with VLIR funds has improved the existent laboratories we have in both the Materials Laboratory of Mechanical Engineering and the laboratory in Mining and Geological engineering Departments. This also has benefit the different classes being taught to our students. The national press is also supportive with our work, as they highlight the thesis works from ESPOL within our research area. In our annexes there is a publication from the biggest local newspaper about a student’s thesis work in order to obtain his undergraduate degree. Also we were had several papers accepted in the peer-review local technical magazine of ESPOL, RTE

It is evident by the attendance of students to the seminars/workshops we have been given that the interest on this area is growing.

Annexes


1. Activities

1.1. CLAYS 1.1.1 Extra-funding

1.1.1.1 ESPOL Seed Funds executed during 20061.1.2 Publications

1.1.2.1 Modificación a Nivel Nanomolecular de las propiedades de las arcillas1.1.2.2 Tratamiento de superficie a nivel Nanométrico de las arcillas1.1.2.3 Póster Congreso CHILE

1.1.3 Undergraduate thesis1.1.3.1 Thesis Eng. Carlos Padilla1.1.3.2 Thesis Eng. Ronald Guerra1.1.3.3 Thesis Eng. Rodrigo Perugachi

1.2. BUILDING MATERIALS 1.2.1 Extra-funding

1.2.1.1 CICM, Project CEREPS 2006, Accepted1.2.1.2 Desarrollo de Tecnologías Sustentables CONESUP

1.2.2 Publications1.2.2.1 Edited book1.2.2.2 Aplicación de las Fibras Naturales en el desarrollo de Materiales Compuestos

como la Biomasa1.2.2.3 Estudio de utilización de residuos de fibras Naturales para la producción de

paneles termo

1.3 ZEOLITES 1.3.1 Extra-funding

1.3.1.1 Conesup Funds.-Depuración de aguas residuales con zeolitas naturales1.3.1.2 Conesup Funds.-Prospección Geominera1.3.1.3 ESPOL Seed Funds executed during 2006.- Desechos Sólidos y Líquidos

1.4 TERRITORIAL ARRANGMENT 1.4.1 Extra-funding

1.4.1.1 Ordenación Minero Ambiental-Gye1.4.2 Undergraduate thesis

1.4.2.1 Ordenación Canteras Gye-Lely Ladines1.4.2.2 Sistemas de Inf. Geog-Juan Carlos Pindo

1.5 SUBMITTED PROJECTS 1.5.1 International Funds

1.5.1.1 Proyecto Ecuador-Brasil-Argentina1.5.2 International Funds

1.5.2.1 Creación del Centro en Ciencias e Ingeniería a Nano-Escala. 1.5.2.2 Desarrollo de un modelo matemático para predicción de propiedades

1.6 SAMPLING CAMPAIGNS


1.6.1 Final Report Sampling Campaign Ing. Wilmer Vasquez1.6.2 Sampling Campaign Schedule Ing. Miguel Peralta1.6.3 Sampling Campaign Report Ing. Miguel Peralta

1.7 TRAININGS 1.7.1 Caracterización Fibras Naturales EPN certificate1.7.2 ESPOLCIENCIA certificate1.7.3 Strategic Materials Plan certificate1.7.4 Ensayos fibras Brazil certificate1.7.5 Validation Methods certificate

1.8 M.Sc Students outside VLIR Funds 1.8.1 Arrangement and Territorial Development: Glenda Loayza1.8.2 Ing. Javier Bermúdez

2. Equipment 2.1. Equipment list

3. Books 3.1. Books list

4. Staff 4.1. Project 6 Team

5. Workshops 5.1. En calidad de organizador

5.1.1. Charla Nanotecnología5.1.2. ArcGis 9.0

5.2. En calidad de asistente5.2.1. Workshop Final Report of Seed Funds-ESPOL5.2.2. II Congreso de Investigación Tecnología e Innovación y Jornadas ESPOLCIENCIA

PROJECT 7: ENTREPRENEURS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

FLEMISH PROJECT LEADER: Prof. Dr. Dirk DeschoolmeesterLOCAL PROJECT LEADER: Dr. Virginia LasioPROJECT TEAM MEMBERS: Marc Buelens, professor,co-promotor; Dept. of Management &

Organization. (TM PhD related)Dirk Buyens, professor, Dept. of Management & Organization (PM)Bart Clarysse, professor, Department of Management information, operations management and technology policy (TM PhD related; TM academic)Martin Valcke, professor, Fac.Psychology & Education, (TM PhD related)Herman Van den Broeck, professor Management. (TM PhD related)Aimé Heene, professor/chairman Dept. of Management & Organization. (PM)Roland Paemeleire, professor/dean Fac. Economics and Business Administration, Department of Management information, operations management and technology policy (PM)Nathalie Moray, Post Doc Dept. of Management & Organization, U Gent (TM PhD related)Guido Caicedo, Master in Computing Engineering, Director of the Entrepreneurship Center (TM Academic)Katia Rodriguez , Master in Public policy, Assistant Center activities (Service contract - Administrative & project assistance)Denise Rodriguez, Master in Operations & Technology Management, faculty at FIMCP, Assistant project activities and EJE (TM Research & administrative)Edgar Izquierdo, Eng., MBA, Professor of Technology Innovation at FIEC, (Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences) (PhD student. TM research)Jorge Cardenas, Mechanical Engineer, ESPOL faculty, Selected for the second PhD scholarship in U Gent. (Service Contract-Ph.D. student)Lazaro Sumba. Master Scholarship in operations & technology management starting course work in October 2005. (Service Contract-Master student)Juan Tinoco; Commercial Engineer, ESPOL faculty, MBA in progress; Project administrative assistant (Service contract - administrative assistance)Elizabeth Arteaga , Eng. Statistics, MBA support with research.

(Service contract - research)Elma Ramirez, MBA student, data collection case study

development.

The Entrepreneurs Development Program is mainly an educational project, and responds to the following problems:

Lack of competitiveness at the country level Almost non-existent R&D in domestic established companies Unemployment; INEC reports a national unemployment growth from 6.9% in 1994 to 9.90% in 2006. In

Guayaquil in the same period, the unemployment went from 9.5% to 11.30%; in Quito from 6.3% to 7.90%. Currently in March 31/2007 the unemployment rate was 10.28%

ESPOL previous and current Strategic Plan emphasizes as a strategic objective the development of entrepreneurs and as an academic objective the development of professionals with entrepreneurial training, both in response to specific country development and competitiveness needs; the Ecuadorian Competitiveness Agenda also prioritizes in general technological development through free trade zones, technology parks, and technology based business incubators; specifically, at the level of managerial actions, the National Agenda emphasizes the promotion of R&D, entrepreneurial training and development, and facilitation of entrepreneurial initiatives, relying on the assumptions that:

The promotion of entrepreneurial spirit and the creation of new ventures will contribute to the country competitiveness improvement.

Entrepreneurial initiatives are the source of companies’ innovation, advancement and ventures activities, which contribute with the economic growth and consequent unemployment reduction.

Thus considering, ESPOL strength in technology development, and The Graduate Business School experience in teaching and promoting the development of entrepreneurial spirit,

It is proposed that:Formal and general knowledge of entrepreneurship as well as awareness of its importance is needed at ESPOL, in order to achieve ESPOL’s strategic goals and contribute with solutions to the problems stated above. Consequently the specific objective of the project is:

The development of ESPOL own educational model in entrepreneurship, thus entrepreneurial skills and orientation of the faculty and graduates of ESPOL will be significantly enhanced.

Description of the overall objectives

1 Developmental objective

Ecuadorian companies improve their competitiveness

2 Academic Objective

The institutional capacity of ESPOL to generate relevant research based knowledge and services in strategic areas of national development, and provide innovative quality training is enhanced. Leadership and local reference in entrepreneurship is attained.

3 Description of the specific objectives

ESPOL develops its own educational model in entrepreneurship, thus entrepreneurial skills and orientation of the faculty and graduates of ESPOL has been enhanced significantly.

4 A description of the specific objective that will contribute to the overall objective with indicators and means of verification.

The specific objective contributes with the attainment of the academic as well as developmental overall objectives. Improving research and academic capacity in entrepreneurship at ESPOL will assure students graduate with enough skills and abilities to start and possibly run a new business. The main indicator of objective attainment is the institutionalization of entrepreneurship education at ESPOL, and through its impact as the number of start-ups among ESPOL graduates, research projects conducted by our faculty, all verifiable indicators.

5 A detailed justification why this specific objective was selected with reference to the description of the present situation, the analysis of alternatives and the description of the selection criteria.

Analyzing local problems in search for solutions the low competitiveness of Ecuadorian companies is most of the discussed. But what is in our hands to contribute with the problem solution? Education is the natural answer. Furthermore ESPOL had already stated that the University would contribute with the development of entrepreneurs. Governmental policies are an alternative way to promote start-ups, however even if the university can suggest certain policies cannot impact them directly. Thus ESPOL chose the strategy that is able to manage adequately, with its own resources plus VLIR support.

4.3 Description of the intermediate results

4.3.1 A description of the intermediary results necessary to reach the specific objectives

1. ESPOL has an Entrepreneurial Development Center, which main focus is training and motivation in entrepreneurship through educational activities will consolidate ESPOL Graduate Business School, ESPAE, an experience of six years in entrepreneurial development. Its main activity is the design and delivery of courses in entrepreneurship to faculty and students at an undergraduate and graduate level. Courses will include “training the trainers” and business plan development, as well as the delivery of services, mostly training to the local community. Research will be developed in order to improve the educational models and limit the dependence from foreign faculty in the near future. Another activity of the Center aimed at sustainability attainment is the development and maintenance of an internal network that will facilitate information flow among the faculty and researchers in academic units, documentation of academic (teaching) experiences, the development of an information data base, and the like. An external network with foreign universities, Latin-American, USA, and Flemish, and similar centers will permit us to keep up with a proper update in the topic of entrepreneurship. The development areas for the Center are: Entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial culture, development of new businesses, development of entrepreneurial skills, and family business management.

2. ESPOL has a Junior Enterprise, This was proposed as a pilot project at FIMCP, Department who contributed with this entrepreneurial idea. However after the evaluation of results, it might be emulated by other ESPOL units as a way to reinforce educational aspects and as an extension of the programOne of the purposes of the Students Enterprise is the development of an alternative educational model of entrepreneurial education, based on the learning by doing principle, through the creation of a student organization, structured as an enterprise, which will allow students managerial and entrepreneurial practice. Students companies are not new in the University environment. Back in 1967 an initiative of a group of students at HEC in France initiated the Junior Movement, starting an in-campus company to provide services outside the University and with the main purpose to facilitate the access of students to the labor market. This type of students’ organizations exists mainly in European universities; we have not found those companies in Latin America but in Brazil, at the Universidad Estadual de Campinas. However beyond the classic educational and transition scope of the students companies, the present proposal include the monitoring- feedback process to assess the impact of the model in the acquirement of entrepreneurial skills. Assessment of the influence of the JE on entrepreneurial abilities is under way.

3.ESPOL has academic and research capacity in entrepreneurship attained through faculty development in entrepreneurship. The capacity will be built throughTraining the trainers short course, course in research methodology, scholarships for doctoral and masters studies, as well as the teaching and research practice and the exchange with the Flemish faculty.

1.1 Description of the activities for Year 4 ( April 2006 – March 2007) (as originally planned)

See AP 2006.

1.1 To formalize the Entrepreneurship center.- The Center will permit to organize ESPOL training, research and extension activities in entrepreneurship giving to the field relevance inside the academic as well as in the business community. The center is located at ESPOL Campus Las Peñas.

As a result of internal and external networking activities several workshops and international events have been developed. By invitation of CAF ( Corporación Andina de Fomento-Andean Foment Corporation) to present the Ecuadorian Experience in Caracas ( Venezuela ) Guido Caicedo-Center Director- presented and deliver a course. ESPOL hosted in August the Foro Andino de Jovenes Emprendedores, and in November 2006 the Roundtable on Entrepreneurship Education in Science and Engineering, a Stanford University initiative that develops yearly in USA, Europe, Asia and Latin America. In early 2007 the contest Innovation Challenge was promoted and organized. An educational project for the Guayaquil City Hall was concluded. (See annex for events and presentations)

1.2 To Plan, monitor & evaluate Project activities.- Coordination of project activities between local and Flemish leader. Include planning of visits and meetings in Ecuador and Belgium.

In year 4 the local promoter travels to Belgium jointly with promoters of Projects 2,3, 5, and 6, and besides particular activities planned fro each project attended a Joint Steering Committee in Gent, in February 2007. ( See comments on activity 3.1) (Annex A1).

Flemish promoter visited by the end of march 2007 with the Belgium mission. The whole mission attended a presentation of the project delivered by Guido Caicedo and Virginia Lasio, as well as a presentation of the Junior Enterprise delivered by Denise Rodriguez. on the abstract of a paper (Annex A13)

1.3 To coordinate teaching, research & extension activities.- Includes project as well as extra project activities.

During year 4 Doctoral Student Edgar Izquierdo presented two papers at BALAS 2006 in May /06 in Lima, and Intent 2006 in Brasil, in July/06. Dirk Deschoolmeester presented a paper at AEEE held in Gent in August 2006. (Annex A16)

The 4th version of La Semana del Emprendedor was developed, however this year and the Contest Innova 2006 was not launched.(Annex A31)

Two international events were organized: Foro Andino de Jovenes Emprendedores and the Roundtable for Entrepreneurship Education latin America, REELA. In early 2007 the contest Innovation Challenge was organized. (Annex A36, Annex A37, Annex A38, Annex A39, Annex A40) In January 2007 we started planning activities for the II Jornadas de Investigacion en Emprendimiento, academic event planned for August 2007. Edgar Izquierdo will act as the chair of the event. This year we are also inviting participant for latinamerican countries.

We also increased the publications in the working papers series Entreprenruship.

1.4 To promote institutionalization of Entrepreneurship courses at ESPOL.- Includes events, speeches, meetings, visits and various activities that leads and support institutionalization of entrepreneurship courses at ESPOL.

Two training workshops for new faculty have been developed On April 20 we end the Entrepreneurship faculty Workshop it’s lasted four weeks, this workshop was prepared for the delivery of courses at FIMCP, FIEC, ICHE, EDCOM, INTEC, PROTAL, PROTEL.

2.1 To establish the Junior Enterprise.-

The activity includes the formalization at ESPOL of the Junior Enterprise, as well as remodeling of assigned physical area, furniture and office equipment. Additionally activities aimed to attract students for selection and training were done. This activity was completed in Year 1.

The Junior Enterprise is actively running and it has had 4 generations of students. EJE’s promotional material has been sent to many companies. Organization of the III Latin American Entrepreneurs Congress The majority of the EJE processes were documented and a customer satisfaction survey was developed

and applied to one customer with the result of 4/5. The strategic plan for EJE 2006 was developed The students developed the key performance indicators for each area The Strategic Plan and the indicators were presented to the Board of Directors The promotion plan is within the strategic plan. The commercial relationship members are working on

that There are 7 new students at the EJE staff. They are working in the implementation of the strategic plan. The new students are also working in the expansion of the services and the EJE among the ESPOL

students

2.2Training for JE members

The students made a training plan according to their necessities One student participated in the seminar “Finance for non Financists” Two students participated in the seminar Organizational communication plan” The students that participate at the “Organizational communication plan” and “Finance for non

Financists” seminars gave an in-house training to the others EJE members 2.3 Systematize information of enterprise activities

The evaluation mechanism was developed and applied the EJE and non EJE members in order to compare the results

We confirm the hypothesis that the fact of actively participating in EJE increases the entrepreneurial spirit of the students that is measured with the Entrepreneurial Self Efficacy. In addition, we did not found any significant difference between the staff team and the project team.

A paper was be presented at ESPOLCiencia 2006 with the results A second wave of evaluation was done in order to compare the EJE members and the students that

have approved the Entrepreneurship course. A paper with the results will be presented at the Fifth LACCEI International Latin American and Caribbean Conference for Engineering and Technology (LACCEI’2007) in May 2007

Projects

The Expalsa project (statistical tool development) Process Improvement for DOLE Process Improvement for DOLE (second phase) Industrial Safety for DOLE (Naportec)

Proposals

Lyteca – Texaco Naportec San Juan Tobacco Manufacturing Tía: Process Simulation

3.1 To offer two faculty training in business or applied economics at Ph levelThis activity considers two scholarships for PHD studies in business or applied economics, concentration in entrepreneurship, at Ghent University.

Doctoral students Edgar Izquierdo is working on his program as planned. During year 4 he collected and analyzed data and begun the writing of his dissertation. On a meeting with his promoter in February they agree he will hand the dissertation for the firs review by the end of May. He also presented a working paper coauthored by his promoter Prof. Dirk Buyens to the Faculty of Economics, and is currently working on a paper to be submitted to the International Journal of Entrepreneurship Education.

Jorge Cardenas sent a version of his dissertation proposal to his Promoter Bart Clarysse and assistant Nathalie Moray by the end of July. However he received a few remarks from the assistant he never got an evaluation from the promoter. Jorge Cardenas continued his work collecting data at a local University UTPL, for a pilot study, but by the early January the Promoter manifested that he couldn’t continue working with Jorge. Accordingly we planned Jorge’s trip to Belgium as soon as possible, to coincide with the visit schedule by the local promoter and plan for several meetings in Belgium to find another promoter and relocate Jorge Cardenas. Efforts succeeded at relocating him at the Faculty od Agricultural Economics to work with Professor Xavier Gellync (changes are in progress); this changes implies modifications in the dissertation and although manageable will delay the dissertation process for at least 6 months in 2009.

3.2 To offer two-faculty training at Master level in Operations & Technology Management.

Lazaro Sumba was selected for the Master program and is currently in gent. He finished his Master in June 2006. He asked ESPOL permission to stay until 2007, with his own resources to apply for a pre doctoral training. His petition was accepted and he will be back at ESPOL by mid April 2007.

3.3 To offer selected faculty training in research methods

3.5To increase bibliographical resources in management & entrepreneurship.

Several publications have been acquired and subscriptions to four journals are maintained during Year 4. (Annex A17ng1033)

3.6To consolidate the educational experience

Entrepreneurship course is already implemented at every ESPOL Faculty. A yearly evaluation and feedback is conducted to improve the course. A training workshop for faculty id offered every year prior to approve the faculty for teaching this course.

Some of the majors in which the course has been given: Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering. Computer Engineering. Industrial Electronics Engineering. Electrical Engineering. Mechanical Engineering. Agriculture Engineering. Industrial Engineering. Civil Engineering. Geology. Economics. Business Administration.

Until now 2857 students have attended the course, and 25 professors have been involved. Edgar Izquierdo through his doctoral dissertation is working on the evaluation of the educational intervention, and Denise Rodriguez has evaluated the influence of the Junior Enterprise. An article reports results obtained. (Annex A14)

Overview of adjustments and changes made to the activity programme in the course of its implementation.

One major change to the planned activities took place during year three. Following I will describe deviations as well as unplanned activities that were conducted during the year.

1. Doctoral student Jorge Cardenas. Change of Faculty and promoter as explained in 3.1. This change will force to spare some budget for him to finish his dissertation in 2009 after the Project ends.

End of activity programme status

Project OUTPUT aimed at

Planned ACTIVITIESin view of

the output aimed atResponsible Party


implementation1. ESPOL has a n Entrepreneurship Center

1.1 To formalize the Center1.2 To Plan, monitor & evaluate Project activities1.3 To coordinate teaching, research & extension activities

V. Lasio G. Caicedo

V. Lasio G. Caicedo

G. Caicedo

G. Caicedo

1.1 Created in April 2003 through approval of ESPOL Council. Physical infrastructure completed by march 2004. Staffed and in operation since May/04.1.2 Permanent activity.1.3 (a) “entrepreneurs week”; 1st edition July 2003, 2nd edition August 2004, 3rd edition July 2005, July 2006 (b) Launch of the Contest ESPOL INNOVA 2003, 2004, 2005 (c) At the Graduate Business School a workshop in Creativity was implemented prior to the Entrepreneruship course in the MBA programs (Jan/05), and (d) Two open course Creativity and Business opportunities and Technology commercialization were offered by CEEMP in January 2005. (c)Procedures to offer coaching and other related services to business planning & start ups were developed.

(d) Starting my own business. July 2006 : Students 1 day workshop (e) Entrepreneurship workshops for student of the project Empresa Juvenil “Yo Conozco Mi Ciudad”. One per month ( December, January, March, April and September)(f) Andean Young entrepreneurs forum sponsored by the Andean Community- CEEMP, August 2006.(g) REE LA, Roundtable on Entrepreneurship Education, Stanford University- CEEMP. Nov 8-10,2006(b) IDB funded project to propose a model ( policies) to develop entrepreneurship in Ecuador.

1.4 To promote institutionalization of Entrepreneurship courses at ESPOL V. Lasio

G. Caicedo

1.4 (a) Pilot course offered at FIEC, 150 students attending the course in 5 classes ( Oct/04-Feb/05). (b) The workshop Strategies for the implementation of a course in entrepreneurship was held in september/04, and (c ) A proposal for the design and implementation of the course at remaining faculties at ESPOL was approved by the Rector and Council and implemented since May 2005. More that 1000 students approved the course by now.(d) First semester 2006 561 students

2. ESPOL has a Junior Enterprise

2.1 To establish the Junior Enterprise

2.2 Training the students

2.3 Systematize information of enterprise activities

D. Rodriguez V. Lasio

V. Lasio D. Rodriguez

2.1 (a) The Junior enterprise was created and approved at FIMCP. The official launch was held in October 2003. Networking with Latin-American JE is in progress, and D. Rodriguez (VLIR Masterscholarship) has been in contact for advice with JADE, The European Association of Junior Enterprises and Networking with Latin-American JE is taking place, specially with JE from Brasil (b) The strategic plan for EJE 2006 was developed and approved.The students developed the key performance indicators for each area. (c) Students currently involved with 3 projects.

2.2 The students made a training plan according to their necessities One student participated in the seminar “Finance for non Financists”Two students participated in the seminar Organizational communication plan”The students who participated at the “Organizational communication plan” and “Finance for non Financials” seminars gave an in-house training to the others EJE members.

2.3 Research concluded First stage results were presented at ESPOL Ciencia 2006. A second wave of evaluation was done in order to compare the EJE members and the students that have approved the Entrepreneurship course . Paper reporting results will be presented at LACCEI In may 2007..

3. ESPOL has academic and research capacity in entrepreneurship

3.1 To offer two faculty training in business or applied economics at Ph level

3.2 To offer two faculty training at Master level in Operations & Technology Management.

3.3 Training the trainers: To train ESPOL faculty in entrepreneurship

V. Lasio D. Deschoolmeester

V. Lasio G. Caicedo

3.1 (a) First scholarship beneficiary selected April 2003; started course work & research in October 2003, U Gent: Edgar Izquierdo and expected graduate in 2007. (b) Second PhD student. Jorge Cardenas, started coursework in October /04.

3.2 (a) First beneficiary selected in April 2003; started courses in October 2004, and back at ESPOL since September 2004: (b) Denise Rodriguez currently contracted faculty at FIMCP, and assisting with the JE. Second scholarship Lazaro Sumba graduated in June /06. He is staying longer to apply for a predoctoral- no VLIR support for this stage.

3.3 (a) Five module training for 42 ESPOL faculty members was delivered from September 2003 to March 2004 by Flemish faculty from university of Gent. A deliverable of this program was the outline of the entrepreneurship course which is already in implementation phase.

3.4 To consolidate the educational experience

3.5 To increase bibliographical resources in management & entrepreneurship.

G. Caicedo

V. Lasio

Workshops developed locally to train faculty: 2 workshops and 33 faculties trained.

(b) A research seminar was scheduled for Sept/04, then rescheduled for March/05 and rescheduled again for June/05, then postponed for February /06 and finally cancelled.

3.4 One course implemented at FIEC (Oct/04).; courses implemented at FIEC, FIMCP. ICHE in May 2005. First semester 2006: 18 course and 555 students.Second semester 2006: 19 course and 619 students.

3.5Books acquisition for training & subscriptions to 5 journals . Publication of the working papers Serie Entrepreneurship


In this section, the report will provide a detailed explanation regarding the differences between the implementation of the activity programmed as planned on one hand, and the actual implementation on the other. More specifically, this section will:

1 indicate, motivate and elaborate on deviations from the planned activities;2 elaborate on both the quantitative and qualitative consequences of the differences between planned and

actual implementation;3 Indicate to what extent these differences may affect the overall partner programme, as far as the

achievement of the objectives is concerned, and these both in terms of the level of achievement and its overall timing.

1. Doctoral student Jorge Cardenas. Change of Faculty and promoter as explained in 3.1. This change will force to spare some budget for him to finish his dissertation in 2009 after the Project ends.


Note: Information on expenditures in Belgium were not available at the time of submission of this report.

With reference to the implementation of the activity programme as outlined in previous sections of the report, a detailed explanation will be provided regarding:

1 the actual expenditure rate as compared to the total budget allocated;2 the actual expenditure against the different budget lines as compared to the budget allocated to the

different budget lines.

The total annual amount expended does not exceed the planned amount as well as the main budget lines.

Surplus because of exchange rate was mainly used in the same activities. (see annex A18). An average exchange rate weighed by the number of months the rate was active was calculated and applied to compute the surplus. (1.2579). A surplus of 4362.92 euros arises, of which about 50% was expended in the same activities and

corresponding budget lines as in the case of equipment ( laptops, printer, video beam, camera), and books. 2196.54 euros were not expended.


This narrative section of the report will elaborate on :3 the general level of achievement of the activity programme;4 the main factors of success as well as an overview of constraints that have been faced;5 level of integration of the different components of the activity programme;6 possible synergies with other activity programmes, VLIR activities or project activities in general;7 other relevant elements.

During the fourth year efforts were concentrated in the review, evaluation and feedback, and improvement of the entrepreneurship courses implemented at ESPOL as well as on faculty qualifications. Was also important the national and international dissemination of ESPOL experience through hosting at our campus international Entrepreneurship events as well as participating in events in foreign countries. (Annex A32, Annex A37, Annex A36)

Regarding doctoral students, Edgar Izquierdo is working on schedule, and has accomplished expectations for his dissertation work. By the end of May 2007 he will deliver the first version of the dissertation for his committee for review. Doctoral student Joege Cardenas, as was explained at several paragraph previously ion this report, had to reformulate his dissertation proposal because of change inhis promotorship; professor Bart Clarysse no longer could continue as his advisor., and Jorge Cardenas will do his dissertation work at the Faculty of Agricultural Economics.

Summarizing , Espol has become a national and regional referent because of its work in Entrepreneurship education , as a result of the VLIR project.


For ESPOL to become an entrepreneurial (enterprising) university is an institutional scope, thus all project activities contribute with that scope:

40 faculty from diverse departments and disciplines were trained in entrepreneurship by the VLIR project. Some of them will teach, some don’t, however awareness was developed at the faculty level, and interdisciplinary work promoted. About 30 more professors have been trained during year 2005-2006 and are actively involved in teaching.

ESPOL strategic plan 2003-2007, as part of the Institutional Policies( p.21) it is mentioned “ To offer technology advancement and entrepreneurial culture at the service of human development”, in chapter 1 Academic issues , in objective No28 the creation of the Entrepreneurship Center is posited as an institutional objective; following the plan estates that “ entrepreneurship is a transversal axis in the education of ESPOL students and that academic units will receive the appropriate institutional support”. The institutional support was made evident by the Council resolution regarding the implementation of the entrepreneurship courses which will be mandatory in all ESPOL careers starting May 2005.

Project activitiesThe sustainability of this project is embedded in the project itself and in ESPOL policies & strategies. The institutionalization of entrepreneurship education at ESPOL before year 6, as planned in the project, contributes with sustainability. Because part of the work of the Entrepreneurship Center is devoted to coordinate and monitor mandatory and optional regular courses, part of its budget will come from the university. The E. Center also will rise funding through executive training, and methodology transfer to other institutions. A certificate program on entrepreneurship education is being analyzed. A third element in fund raising will be consulting and development projects with government and other national and international agencies , although this is a slow process and not without concern. It is planned that the Junior Enterprise, JE, will sustain themselves before the end of the VLIR project through diverse consulting services. The main activity of the JE will ensure its sustainability; furthermore it is expected that this experience will expand or be replicated at other ESPOL departments.

Finally it is a goal in the long term to find organizations willing to give endowments or long term sponsorship to de Entrepreneurship Center. This will take time since it is not a common practice between private organizations and universities in Ecuador.

Networking: Academic & BusinessThe Entrepreneurship Center will ensure continuity in the curricula development, training, and the

establishment of an internal and external network. Early in the project the internal network will contribute with the institutionalization process of Entrepreneurship at ESPOL. External network will contribute with

communication exchange, information for research, and stakeholders’ management. The JE will develop its relationships through the consulting projects that will be involved in, as well as getting in contact with other JE in Latin America and JE associations.

ESPOL has become a member of SEAFE ( Ecuadorian System for support of Entrepreneurship Education) which is conformed by 6 local universities and in a joint effort with the Andean Corporation of foment (CAF), has as a goal the design and implementation of an Entrepreneurship course in those Universities. Being a member of SEAFE permitted us to participate in an accelerated process for production of local academic material such as discussion cases and videos of local entrepreneurs

We also actively participated in the Roundtable on Entrepreneurship Education network promoted by Stanford University. ESPOL participated as a panelist in the European version of the conference that was held in Munich in September 2006 and also in the USA version held at Stanford in October 2006. ESPOL hosted the Roundtable on Entrepreneurship Education Latin America in November 2006 with the participation of faculty from Ecuador, Brasil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, USA, Germany, Italy, Spain, among others. The conferences and roundtables were a great opportunity for the development of the state of the art on entrepreneurship education in the region, and the documents can be found at http://ree.stanford.edu/ under de archives section.

In April 2006 CAF invited ESPOL (through Guido Caicedo-director of the Entrepreneurship Center) to deliver a seminar in Caracas to present SEAFE and ESPOL experience to future entrepreneurship profesors from Venezuelan universities. CAF also invited ESPOL in August to give a speech in Medellín-Colombia about the experiences on entrepreneurship education.

The relationships built and joint research projects conducted by the local faculty and doctoral students with the Flemish faculty are supposed to ensure long term collaboration, more that any formal strategy as an agreement for example. Our experience with the relationships established with other Latin American and North American Universities tell us that common interests and personal relationships among researches in different countries is a strong link to pursue joint projects and keep in contact in the future. Indeed the “training the trainers” program offered to faculty in year one permitted us to establish relationships with faculty not only from University of Ghent but also with the Vlerick Leuven Gent school of Management and the VUB.

Entrepreneurial cultureAs a measure to disseminate concepts, practices and also to induce motivation and acceptance, the

Entrepreneurship Center, CEEMP, among its activities keep offering workshops addressed to undergraduates and involves students in the organization of the Semana del Emprendedor. Workshops oriented to faculty and researchers will be offered yearly. Doctoral research covers the two poles of an entrepreneurial university: education and research & technology transfer, contributing to the consolidation of an entrepreneurial culture that may grant future self sustain for the aims of the project.

ESPOL, through the Graduate Business school, ESPAE, got involved in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, GEM, study which will conduct in Ecuador for year 2004; funds for this project comes from the private sector as petroleum companies , Chamber of commerce and the like and the launch of the report was on May /05.

Additionally ESPOL Faculty Development Plan will contribute with the sustainability. The external network

implementation will help keeping the research culture alive. The research culture will be strong as the number of faculty with doctoral degrees increases.

Funding & costs

The Center and JE will gradually assume the operational costs; the continuous training will be conducted by every faculty and department at ESPOL and / or by the existing faculty development program at ESPOL. Because part of the work of the Entrepreneurship Center is devoted to coordinate and monitor mandatory and optional regular courses, part of its budget will come from the university.

To assure fresh resources for incoming years one of the Center tasks will be to identify and contact other national and international donors. Involvement of the local business community is expected to provide some support. At the moment for example, in 2004, ESPOL, through the CEEMP, together with other local Universities (Universidad Tecnológica Equinoccial, Escuela Politecnica del Ejercito, Escuela Politecnica Nacional, la Universidad Tecnologica America y la Universidad Tecnica Particular de Loja) and the incubator of the Quito obtained from the Corporación Andina de Fomento, CAF, a grant of US$50000 to start the “Ecuadorian support system for entrepreneurs education” oriented to training and development of teaching materials. However obtaining a continuous flow of funds is still a concern for us.

Educational quality

The entrepreneurship course has been taught at ESPOL in the four last semesters. The first time was taught as a pilot course within the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department with five groups - 150 students approximately - and 6 professors - three as leading professors and 4 as supporting professors. The last three semesters the course has been taught campus wide with an average of 550 students per semester in several undergraduate programs: 4 programs at the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department3 programs at the Mechanical and Production Science Engineering, 2 programs at the Economics Department,Tourism2 associate degree program (electrical technician and mechanical technician)2 programs at the mathematics institute

The final goal is to incorporate all programs from all undergraduate departments.

Up to the end of 2006, 89 groups have taken the course totaling 2857 students given by more than 20 professors. Its is appropiate to mention that through one of the acrtivities of the course called “mini-business” students practice social responsibility through the donation of profits (if generated) to social institutions. So far they have donated a total of more than US$13060 to different foundations and social agencies.

In order to ensure the quality and consistency of the course across all departments and disciplines, CEEMP is in charge of reviewing the goals and design of the course, training the trainers and monitoring the execution within the university.

Goals and design of the courseThe goal of the introductory course is to confront students to the entrepreneurial competences and attributes and let them explore their own motivations and skills. At the same time the course aims at make them understand the entrepreneurial process and the roles of different stakeholders in a new venture creation.

CEEMP built the initial course design mainly out of three sources:

Our own experiences in teaching entrepreneurship culture and background of our undergraduate student population Training programs taken with other institutions as well as contacts with professors and researchers on the

field. Exploration of course designs taught in other parts of the world.

The teaching methodology is based on the andragogic paradigm of learning and almost every class is based on a cycle that starts with students doing something, having discussions and ending with a final reinforcement by the professor.

CEEMP compiled a manual for the professor including the complete design of the entrepreneurship course. The manual starts with an explanation of goals, scope and methodology of the course as well as a list of the topics to be covered, and a bibliography. Then the core of the manual is a “class by class” design that includes, the goals of the class, the description of the activity and the class process, resources to be handled by the professor, and suggested assignments.

There is enough flexibility in the design in order to let professors make adjustments to accommodate their own style. However they have to follow the main stream of the design in order to ensure homogeneity among all groups – last semester we had 17 different groups. To ensure the quality and evolution of the design, a review is made at the end of every semester with all professors. This is discussed in a half-day workshop. In these workshops the following topics are discussed, among others:

Placement of the entrepreneurship course within the curricula of each program. Differences and adjustments of the course among the different disciplines and programs Problems with the methodology, teaching tools or other materials Suggestions of new teaching tools or contents Evaluation Impact of the course in other courses and activities

Modifications of the design are agreed upon and adjustments are made to the design of the course. Any professor that wants to officially modify or add material, content or activities to the course has to convince the majority of the group in order to have it officially included in the manual of the course.

Training the TrainersProfessors are selected based on their interest to teach the course and their background. They generally have to have either entrepreneurial experience, or have some business administration – or entrepreneurship - education or professional experience working for the industry in leading positions. Despite their previous education, any professor that wants to teach the entrepreneurship course has to take the training given by CEEMP. In this training they are exposed to the methodology and content of the course with insights on why and how the course is delivered to students. References and other sources of information are continuously given to the trained professors in order for them to have access to resources for reviewing.CEEMP also makes them aware of other training opportunities like certificate programs or special courses given by SEAFE, or other institutions related to entrepreneurship or innovation.

MonitoringIn order to have feedback, and assure the quality of the course, CEEMP is in charge of establishing a control system. So far, several measurements are taken in order to monitor and have feedback of the course:

1) A survey submitted to professors at the end of the semester. This tool was used for the first time the last semester. The information gathered is used as an input for the workshop that is held at the end of the semester with the professors.

2) Reviewing meeting with professors. This is a half a day workshop at the end of the semester with professors of the course in other to review any problem or suggestions as described previously. Originally this workshop was very informal, but the last semester we incorporated the use of a survey and a facilitated discussion. We received help from Katherine Chiluiza who has a PhD. in education.

3) Survey taken to the students. CEEMP collects a survey at the beginning and at the end of semester. The survey was aimed at first to measure entrepreneurial intention, knowledge and attributes. At the beginning we were using our own questions combined with a model developed at the University of Durham, UK called the GET TEST used to measure entrepreneurial attributes. However after the evaluation of the tool by Katherine Chiluiza and Edgar Izquierdo – PhD. student in applied economics – we concluded that the level of confidence is not good enough. This, together with the fact that it is well known the difficulties of affecting attributes related to personality in a university course, reoriented our efforts to measure entrepreneurial competences instead of attributes. The survey that we are using now includes results from research carried out by Edgar Izquierdo. The abstract of a paper reporting the findings has been accepted in the IntEnt 2006 conference.

4) Survey taken by CISE. CISE is the organization within the university that gets feedback from students from all courses. They measure pedagogical aspects of the course and how students perceive the commitment and capacity of their professor.

5) Access to course activity in METIS and SidWeb systems. These are web facilitated applications that allows students and their professors to communicate and share course resources. CEEMP has access to these systems to monitor online activity. This is helpful to assess the level of online interaction that is going on in the different groups. The use of online communications tools is strongly promoted by CEEMP using either METIS or Sidweb.

6) Interaction among professors using METIS. CEEMP sets up a special group for professors in METIS. This is an online place to upload resources, share information and have discussions during the semester. All professors of the course are required to use this group in order to ensure communication and resources delivery.

7) Participation in the Minibusiness fair. One of the activities of the course is to have students executing some small business during three days in the second part of the semester. The level of participation and the profit that they make are evaluated among all groups.

8) Visits by CEEMP director or coordinator to the classes. This is usually done during the first part of the semester in order to have a closer idea on how professors are handling the methodology. This is specially done to help new professors of the course in order to observe the application of the methodology and give some assessment if necessary. This task is becoming increasingly complex due to the growth of the number of professors of the course. A new approach based on peer reviewing is being considered.

So far the results of the monitoring suggest that the course is doing well in the majority of aspects as some indicators show:

CISE evaluation shows a good level of acceptance of the course by the students and the majority of the professors are well evaluated. Only one professor so far was evaluated with less than 80% and he quit temporarily teaching the course working together with CEEMP in order to improve his use of the methodology.

Surveys made to students show that students keep the high level of entrepreneurial intentions they have at the beginning of the course, but increase knowledge of entrepreneurial process. The findings also reveal that more than 85% of the students considered that the topics covered met their expectations. Nearly 90% of the students indicated that the course approach was appropriate with a good balance between individual and group work.

Results of the workshops with professors indicate that the course approach, from the professors’ perspective, has a positive impact on their teaching in the sense that it facilitates the development and implementation of active and meaningful learning. The professors emphasized that the implemented methodology allowed them to make a continuous evaluation of the students’ performance and to discuss and give feedback on the topics covered in class. In addition, they claim that their students have become more self-reflective on the importance and consequences of an entrepreneurial career.

Use of online course support systems has been an experience with mixed results. While most professors used one of the available tools, only a fourth of them were successful in engaging students in active participation. We believe that several factors affect this outcome. Among them the most significant one might be how strong the culture within a department for using such tools is. We find that programs in which students and professors use an online tool in other courses have a more active participation. This has been especially true in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department.

The minibusiness fair has been very successful with an intense level of activity and causing a visible impact on university’s everyday activities. The total profit of minibusiness in the last semester was around $3,000 and the previous one was $4,000. Although minibusinesses are not necessarily a measurement of how entrepreneurial students have become with the course, it help us show the level of enthusiasm of each group and the level of involvement of their professor.

The results of the course are acknowledged by many members of our community and recently CEEMP was invited together with SEAFE to facilitate a workshop in Venezuela for a project sponsored by CAF – Corporación Andina de Fomento- to establish a common entrepreneurship course structure for all Venezuelan universities.

The next steps that we have to follow regarding the quality control system for our entrepreneurship course are the following:

To formalize the different measurements in a coordinated tool that integrates results in a better way in order to have a better understanding of some of the issues of entrepreneurship education

To continue developing a better survey for students and professors with the help of the ongoing research of Edgar Izquierdo and Katherine Chiluiza

To develop a peer review system To develop ways to measure the participation of students in follow-up activities after the course like the

business idea contest ESPOL Innova or their enrollment in other courses or conferences related to entrepreneurship.

Annexes


1. Activities1.1. CEEMP

1.1.1. Reports1.1.1.1. A2 – EntrepreneurshipESPOL.pdf1.1.1.2. A3 – San Rafael Project.doc1.1.1.3. A30 – Yo conozco mi ciudad.doc1.1.1.4. A32 – Taller para Profesores de Emprendimiento.doc1.1.1.5. A36 – III Foro Andino.doc1.1.1.6. A37 – Informe REELA 2006.doc1.1.1.7. A38 – Innovation Challenger.doc1.1.1.8. A39 – fotos_Congreso (carpeta)1.1.1.9. A40 – fotos_Innovation (carpeta)

1.2. Congress attendance1.2.1. A16 – video Edgar (Carpeta) 1.2.2. A51 – PRESENTACIONES REALIZADAS Y4.doc

1.3. EJE1.3.1. Staff1.3.2. Stationery & Advertising1.3.3. A13 - Presentacion VLIR marzo 2007.ppt

1.4. Research1.4.1. A14 – LACCEIEmpresaJuvenil.doc

1.5. Scholarship1.5.1. Edgar Izquierdo

1.5.1.1. Conference submissions1.5.2. Jorge Cárdenas


1.6. A1 – Informe de viaje.doc2. Books

2.1. A17 - Book list.doc3. Budget

3.1. A18 - Exchange rate diff YEAR 4.xls3.2. A19 - Budget per activities Year 4.xls

4. Equipment & Furniture4.1. A20 – Inventory

5. Staff5.1. A21- Edgar Izquierdo CV.doc5.2. A22 - Guido Caicedo CV.doc5.3. A23 – Elizabeth Arteaga.doc5.4. A24 - Staff.doc5.5. A25 - Virginia Lasio CV.doc5.6. A26 - Denise Rodriguez CV.doc5.7. A27 - Katia Rodriguez CV.doc5.8. A28 – Juan Fernando Tinoco CV.doc5.9. A35 – C.V. Jorge Cardenas.doc

6. WorkShops6.1. Ceemp WorkShops

6.1.1. A50 – Clases Emprendimiento.pdf6.1.2. A51 – PRESENTACIONES REALIZADAS Y4.doc

6.2. Entrepreneur Week 6.2.1. A31 – Informe Semana del Emprendedor 2006.doc

6.3. Entrepreneurship Journey

PROJECT 8: EDUCATION&RESEARCH CAPABILITIES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR: SOFTWAREENGINEERING, TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND ROBOTICS.

FLEMISH PROJECT LEADER: Prof. Dr. Guido DedeneFLEMISH TEAM MEMBERS: • Prof. Dr. Monique Snoeck, Leader of the Software

Engineering Subcomponent, Catholic University of Leuven. Prof. Dr. J. D'Haeyer, TM – PhD (Staff member of

the IPI group who leads the research in computer vision), Ghent University

Prof. Dr.Leo Van Biesen, TM-PhD (Leader of the Telecommunications subcomponent, Promotor of a PhD candidate) Free University of Brussels

Dr. ir. Sidharta Gautama, TM – PhD (Promotor of a PhD candidate in computer vision), Ghent Univerity

Prof. Dr. ir. Alain Barel, PM, Free University of Brussels

Prof. Dr. Jacques Tibergien, PM, Free University of Brussels

Dr. Patrick Boets, TM – Academic (Technical guidance of a PhD candidate), Free University of Brussels

Dr. Patrick De Smet, PM, Ghent University MEng. Zobeida Cisneros, TM – Academic (Visitings)

Free University of BrusselsLOCAL PROJECT LEADER: M.Sc. Carlos MonsalvePROJECT TEAM MEMBERS: • Dr. Monse Van isschot, (APROFE)

Anita Negrón, Technical support. Ir. Mónica Villavicencio, Co-Promotor of Sub-

Component of Software Engineering. Ir. Verónica Macías, Researcher of Sub-Component

of Software Engineering. Ir. Verónica Uquillas, Curriculum development and

researcher. Fátima Cedeño; Technical Support for Sub-

Component of Software Engineering. Pablo Barba; Technical Support for Sub-Component

of Software Engineering. Jorge Mazón; Research Assistant of Competitive

Project. Henry Hernández; Research Assistant of

Competitive Project. Ir. Raúl González; Research Assistant of

Competitive Project. Luis Morocho; Research Assistant software

engineering subcomponent Lorena Tacury; Technical Support for Sub-

Component of Software Engineering. Félix Manjarrez; Technical Support for Sub-

Component of Software Engineering. Boris Vintimilla, Ph.D.; Co-Promotor of Sub-

Component of Vision for Computer and Robotics. Ir. Daniel Ochoa, Doctoral scholar, Researcher of

Sub-Component of Vision for Computer and Robotics.

Ir. Dennys Paillacho Ch., Researcher and associate professor of Computer Vision and Robotics Sub-Component.

Dennis Romero L.; Technical Support of Computer Vision and Robotics Sub-Component

Luis Galárraga; Technical Support of Computer Vision and Robotics Sub-Component.

Arturo Cadena, Technical Support of Computer Vision and Robotics Sub-Component.

Javier Tibau.; Technical Support of Computer Vision and Robotics Sub-Component.

Ir. Miguel Realpe; associate researcher of the Computer Vision and Robotics Subcomponent.

M.Sc. Rebeca Estrada, Co-Promotor of the Telecommunications subcomponent

Ing. Hernán Córdova; Doctoral scholar until November 2006.

Ir. Patricia Chávez, Research lab administrator, Co-Promotion of the Telecommunications Subcomponent.

Jose Vergara; Researcher of Sub-Component of Telecommunications.

Ir. Giovanny Maldonado F.; Technical Support of the Telecommunications Sub-Component.

Maritza Ruiz B.; Technical Support of the Telecommunications Sub-Component.

Stalin Tutiven O.; Technical Support of the Telecommunications Sub-Component.

Ma. Isabel Mera; Technical Support of the Telecommunications Sub-Component.

During the fourth year of the project, there are some major milestones for the three subcomponents. There are new and very functional facilities for the recently created Computer Vision and Robotics Center (CVR). The Software Engineering online page for the Spanish speaking IEEE community was officially launched at a special event held in Chile; and the second edition of the Jornadas de Sistemas de Telecomunicaciones, included for the first time, a Call for Papers that had an international acceptation. Besides that, thanks to a competitive fund granted to Component 8, a new research group on Distributed Systems and Visualization was able to be supported and created.

All the tree subcomponents published during 2006. The Computer Vision and Robotics subcomponent published seven papers at different national and international congresses and journals. The Software Engineering subcomponent has published three papers, two at national congresses, and one at an international one. The Telecommunications subcomponent published one paper in the United States of North America. Finally, the new group on Distributed Systems and Visualization also published several papers.

CVR continues working on its main research project related to our doctoral candidate Daniel Ochoa. This scholarship is planned to be over during 2007, so far there is a good fulfillment of objectives and timing. CVR has also been working in other research projects in cooperation of research centers from Spain and Portugal, thanks to our membership of international networks such as RIBERO and PARTI.

The Software Engineering subcomponent organized the third edition of “Jornadas de Ingeniería de Software (JIS)”. This year, the event was also co-organized by ESPOL’s IEEE branch and the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL), being again considered as an IEEE national event. The group was granted with a competitive fund for developing a methodological framework for soho companies.

The Telecommunications subcomponent organized the second edition of the “Jornadas de Sistemas de Telecomunicaciones”. This event included different industrial and governmental speakers, several two day workshops, and for the first time a referred Call for Papers. We had almost over 100 participants from different universities and research centers of Ecuador, Latin America, and Europe.

Our PhD candidate did not return to Ecuador as it was original planned. He sent a letter to ESPOL’s Rector on August 2006, asking for his consent to stay at Belgium until the end of his scholarship. To attend this petition, ESPOL’s Rector asked for a report from the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, and from ESPOL’s ViceRector. A report was also required from the Promotor of Component 8. With these reports, ESPOL Council got the decision of not to accept Hernan´s petition, and ordering him to stick to the original plan. This issue was treated during the visit of Prof. Dr. Magda Vincx to Ecuador on October 2006. However, Hernán Córdova did not accept that decision, and he sent an email confirming that he was going to stay at Belgium until the end of his scholarship. Therefore, the issue was treated again by Component 8 promotors and IUC Coordinators, and after discussing it at the local VLIR Committee it was decided to stop the VLIR-Phd scholarship for Hernan Cordova. ESPOL Council also decided to stop the scholarship.

All three subcomponents continue transferring the experience to ESPOL’s senior students, offering them the opportunity to do some research tasks as a mean to develop a Thesis work with us. This year we had several students working on topics related to all the three subcomponents.

1. Status when the Activity Program is finished

Software Engineering Subcomponent



Responsible PARTY


implementation IP = In Process

1. Labs facilities and other services for research in software engineering are installed and operational.

2. A basic research staff for developing research projects in Software Engineering is in place.

3. Applied research projects with local software industry have been implemented

4 The research group has begun to offer services to the Local Software Industry.

5. Local Software Industry is aware of the quality issue in the software development process.

1.1.1 Purchase and installation of computers for lab

1.2.1 Purchase of books

1.2.2 Subscription to specialized magazines

2.1.1.Training of one team member in Belgium

2.2 To recruit and maintain researchers and assistants

2.3 To equip the local researchers with computer and other facilities

2.3.1 Purchase and installation of computers

2.3.2 Purchase office supplies

3.2 To execute research projects along with Flemish department and Industrial partners.

3.2.1 Provide the knowledge and skill required by the implementation of the project

3.2.2 Implementation of one research project with local company

4.1 To offer specialized training and services to Local Software Industry

5.2.2. Develop workshops for local industry

5.3.1 Publish the results of

Mónica Villavicencio, research assistants

Mónica Villavicencio

Carlos Monsalve, Mónica Villavicencio

Verónica Uquillas

Mónica Villavicencio, Verónica Macías

Mónica Villavicencio, Carlos Monsalve

Mónica Villavicencio, Verónica Macías, research assistants

Fátima Cedeño, Mónica Villavicencio

Mónica Villavicencio, Guido Dedene, Monique Snoeck

Monique Snoeck, Guido Dedene

Verónica Macías, Henry Hernándes, Jorge Masón, Raúl Gonzalez

Mônica Villavicencio, Verônica Macías

Mônica Villavicencio, Verônica Macías

Mônica Villavicencio, Raúl

1.1.1 I, 3 months

1.2.1 I, 3 months

1.2.2 I, 1 day

2.1.1. I, 2 months

2.2 I, 1 year

2.3 I, 2 months

2.3.1 I, 2 months

2.3.2 I, 1 months

3.2 I, 1 year

3.2.1 IP, 11 months.

3.2.2 IP, 11 months.

4.1 I, 1 year

5.2.2 I, 3 months

5.3.1 I, 1 month

research projects

5.3.2 Participate in local / international conferences

González, Verónica Macías

Mónica Villavicencio, Raúl González

5.3.2 I, 1 year

Computer Vision & Robotics Subcomponent



Responsible PARTY


implementation

1. A research lab for computer vision and robotics is created, installed and it is operational.

2. A basic research group, including junior researches, in computer vision and robotics is

1.1. To build and install the physical infrastructure for the research lab.

1.1.2 Install the requied hardware for internet access.

1.2. To procure all the necessary equipment to implement the lab.

1.2.1 To design the research lab to proceed to the acquisition of the lab equipments.

1.2.3 To procure the second part of the equipments for setting up the research lab.

1.2.5 Install the acquired lab equipments.

1.3. To equip a library with newest publications on topics of Computer Vision and Robotics.

1.3.1. To purchase specialized books, including at least two bookcases at the end of the project.

1.3.2. Subscription to specialized magazines.

2.1. Offer a scholarship for a sandwich PhD program at a Flemish University.

Research assistants

Boris Vintimilla .

Boris Vintimilla

Research assistants

Boris Vintimilla, Daniel Ochoa

Boris Vintimilla

1.1.2 Implemented, 2-3 months. This was not planned for 2006, but it was necessary for the new facilities. [1]

1.2.1 Implemented, 2-3 months. [2]

1.2.3 Implemented, 8 months. [2]

1.2.5 Implemented, 3 month. [2]

1.3.1 Implemented, approximately 2 months. [3].

1.3.2 Implemented, approximately 2 months. [3].

created.

2.1.3 PhD candidate continues his or her doctoral program.

2.2 To develop a PhD thesis on the implementation image processing and computer vision techniques to help in the prevention of uterine cancer.

2.2.1 Local and Flemish experts work together to plan a PhD thesis on the development of image processing and computer vision techniques to help in the prevention of uterine cancer.

2.2.2 Local and Flemish experts work together to advise at least 1 PhD thesis on prevention of the uterine cancer.

2.3. Recruit a researcher, the local co-promoter is staff member of the research group.

2.2.3 The local copromotor coordinates the component.

2.2.4 A local researcher is recruited for the design part of the component.

2.4. Recruit three research assistants (first two and then one).

2.5. Equip local team with computers and other facilities.

2.5.1. Purchase of computers, including their desks and chairs; and office supplies.

Daniel Ochoa

Boris Vintimilla, Daniel Ochoa, Sidharta Gautama,

Monse Van Isschot

Boris Vintimilla, Sidharta Gautama

Boris Vintimilla

Dennys Paillacho, Miguel Realpe

Arturo Cadena, Dennys Romero, Javier Tibau, Luis

Galárraga

Boris Vintimilla




2.3.1. Implemented, 12 months. [6]


2.4. Implemented, 12 months. [8]

2.5.1. Implemented, 6-7 months [9]

2.5.2. Implemented, 2-3

3. Research projects that help to solve Ecuadorians social problems are designed and developed.

4. Scientific publications for international congresses are developed and published.

5. The possibility of being part of academic collaborative networks in specific topics has been

2.5.2. Instalation of new telephone lines.

2.5.3. Purchase of laser printer.

3.2. To execute and evaluate the research project along with the Flemish department and the local NGO.

3.2.1. To execute the research project along with Flemish department and the local NGO.

3.2.2. To evaluate the research results.

3.3. To propose, with the help of Flemish experts, new research projects taking advantage of the research results obtained previously.

4.1. To elaborate papers on results obtained in the activities of the research.

4.2. To facilitate resources to publish in international congresses.

4.2.1. To sumit papers in international congresses on computer vision and robotics topics.

4.2.2. To attend congresses in order to present the accepted papers.

5.1. The research group establishes relationships with other Universities and

Research assistants

Boris Vintimilla.


Boris Vintimilla, Sidharta Gautama

Boris Vintimilla, Daniel Ochoa, Sidharta Gautama,

Helga Rodriguez, José Crespo

Boris Vintimilla, Daniel Ochoa, Miguel Realpe,

Christopher Crespo, Dennys Paillacho, Dennys

Romero


Daniel Ochoa, Boris Vintimilla

Boris Vintimilla, Dennys Paillacho

months. This was not planned for 2006, but it was necessary for the new facilities. [10]

2.5.3. Implemented, 1 month. This was not planned for 2006, but it was necessary for the new facilities. [11]

3.2.1. Implemented, 12 months. [12].

3.2.2. Implemented, 12 months. [12].

3.3. Implemented, 5 months. [13].

4.1. Implemented, 8 months. [14].


4.2.2. Implemented, 10 days. [15]

5.1. Implemented, 4 months.. [16]

reached.

6. Formal education in robotics and computer vision at ESPOL has begun.

research centres in order to be part of at least one international academic collaborative network.

6.1. At least 3 new optional courses are developed.

6.1.1. To develop the second specialized course with the help of CTI and Flemish department.

6.1.2. To develop the last specialized course with the help of CTI and Flemish department.

Miguel Realpe, Boris Vintimilla

Boris Vintimilla

6.1.1. Implemented, 5 months. At the moment, this course is being evaluated for FIEC Department. [17]

6.1.2. Implemented, 5 months. This was not planned for 2006, but a third course has been developed and it is being evaluated by FIEC. [17]

NOTE: The references from [1] to [17] are included in the Annexes of the Computer Vision and Robotics subcomponent. They have information about the documents that support the execution of the proposed activities.

Telecommunications Subcomponent



Responsible PARTY


implementation1 Labs facilities for

education in telecommunications are installed and operational.

1.1 Design the network model for the lab, buy and install the equipments.

1.2 To develop the methodology and procedures for the lab operation.

1.3 To provide preventive maintenance of the lab in order to keep it functional.

Hernán Córdova, Rebeca Estrada, Patricia Chávez

Hernán Córdova, Rebeca Estrada, Patricia Chávez

Giovanny Maldonado, Joselo Vergara, research assistants

1.1 I, whole year

1.2 I, during the third VLIR year

1.3 I, since July 2005

2 Basic research staffs for beginning the development of research projects in telecommunications is in place.

2.1 To recruit and maintain the research staff

2.2 To offer a scholarship for a sandwich PhD program at Belgium

2.3 To offer one scholarship for short training courses

Patricia Chávez, Rebeca Estrada, Carlos Monsalve

Hernán Córdova

2.1 I, whole year.

2.2 I, on September 20 /2004, the PhD candidate went to Brussels. He has been working in his doctoral thesis.

Obs. See remarks in the document about this scholarship.

2.3 N, Not Implemented this year VLIR 2006



Responsible PARTY


implementationat a Flemish University

2.4 To install the facilities for the research staff

2.5 To involve students distributing theses topics for their final works

Carlos Monsalve, Patrícia Chávez, Rebeca Estrada

Rebeca Estrada, Hernán Córdova.

2.4 I, whole year

2.5 I, whole including the thesis work

3 Research projects related to local technological problems such as DSL and Wireless have been designed and developed.

3.1 Elaborate a research proposal with a Flemish department.

3.2 To Study the factors involved in the research project.

3.3 To Execute the research programme along with Flemish experts

Hernán Córdova, Rebeca Estrada, Carlos Monsalve, Leo Van Biesen

Carlos Monsalve, Leo Van Biesen

Hernán Córdova, Carlos Monsalve, Leo Van Biesen, Rebeca Estrada




4 Scientific papers related to DSL research results are developed and published.

4.1 Establish procedures for publishing, and disseminate them among students and faculty.

4.2 To attend to international events, congresses and short trainings.

Hernán Córdova, Carlos Monsalve

Gabriel Astudillo, Stalyn Tutivén

4.1 I, during 4 first months

4.2 I, this activities were performed May 2006 Washington-USA and August 2006 at Lima -Peru.

5 The telecommunications engineering program has been improved, and continuous education in this area has been offered.

5.1 To Develop and offer specialized seminars.

5.2 To organize events and offer conferences. Symposium Telecommunication Systems (JST2007)

5.3 To train local professors with the contribution of Flemish experts.

Joselo Vergara, Stalyn Tutivén, Giovanny Maldonado

Rebeca Estrada, Carlos Monsalve, Joselo Vergara, Giovanny Maldonado

5.1 I, 3 month since November 2006 until January 2007.

5.2 I, five months since October 2006 until February 2007


Comparison between the planned and the present implementation of the Activities Program.

"Software Engineering" subcomponent

Within the most important activities of the "software engineering" sub-project we have: 1. Applied research projects with local software industry have been implemented. For funding these

projects we have submitted proposals for competitive funds and seed funds.

i. Competitive funds: Development of a Metrics Code for Small Software Development Firms

ii. Competitive funds: Elaboración de marco referencial de gestión de proyectos aplicable a la realidad ecuatoriana basado en los modelos moprosoft, cmmi y la normativa de evaluación iso/iec 15504.

iii. Seed funds: Elaboración y análisis de métricas para el proceso de desarrollo de software.

2. Local Software Industry has been aware of the quality issue in the software development process: 15 companies have worked with us during the surveys conducted in 2006.

3. To improve the undergraduate and graduate computer engineering program by means of offering specialized courses, and helping to review the regular software engineering courses.

Six main activities are being developed in order to obtain our specific objective:

1. Labs facilities and other services for research in software engineering have been enhanced.

2. A research group on software engineering has been maintained.

3. Short training courses for two local researchers have been offered.

4. Applied research projects with software companies have been implemented. Two surveys regarding project management and metrics have been run by thesis students. The results have been published in Lima-Perú (Jornadas Iberoamericanas de Ingeniería de Software e Ingeniería del conocimiento)

5. We have offered a traditional course in “Object Oriented Bussiness Modelling Analysis using MERODE”.

6. We have offered the III Jornadas de Ingeniería de software with 4 international speakers and 2 local speakers.

Educational context.

The lab for the undergraduate "software engineering" courses has been enhanced. We have upgraded some computers, and also acquired new computers.

Three papers have been published. The Software Engineering group offered the third local Conferences for the software community in

Ecuador (III Jornadas de Ingeniería de Software). This conference was attended by : 4 International speakers, 1 International assistant, 41 Ecuadorian software professionals and 84 Ecuadorian students

"Computer Vision & Robotics" subcomponent

Within the most important activities of the "computer vision & robotics" Sub.Component we have: 1.) To design and develop research projects where image processing and intelligent systems are used in order to solve regional problems about health. A project to help diagnose the uterine cancer of the Ecuadorian women based on images analysis from uterine cervix cells is being developed to help the Ecuadorian women. 2.) To create a specialized research group in Robotics, Image Processing, and Computer Vision at ESPOL. 3.) To introduce formal education in Computer Vision, Image Processing and Robotics Fields at ESPOL.

The activities of the Computer Vision & Robotics Sub.Component during this year, have been proposed in order to obtain an impact in the socio-economic and educational context.

Socio-economic context.

- The Vision and Robotics Center (CVR) and its Research Group are operational. A new physical installation for the CVR has been built in order to complement the facilities for its members and collaborators.

- Taking advantage of these new facilities, the CVR is currently offering technology transfer services in robotics and vision for the Ecuadorian community. Nowadays we are looking up for new clients to keep offering our services. At our new location training courses are being dictated such as “Taller de Robótica Básica” and we are planning to offer more courses during the year.

- Several works to analyze biological images and uterine cancer images are being developed. In this context, the PhD candidate continues working in the field of biological image analysis, as well as, the PhD candidate and others collaborators are working in the analysis of images that contain information about the uterine cancer.

Educational context.

- New junior collaborators are being integrated to the research group of the CVR. They are beginning to work in their final projects for obtaining the bachelor degree. These collaborators are students of the Department of Electrical and Computer Science Engineering (FIEC). As a result two of our collaborators already finished successfully their thesis and got a bachelor degree.

- The Vision and Robotics Center – CVR is running as a Research Center of the ESPOL. The CVR is associated to the Department of Electrical and Computer Science Engineering (FIEC).

- This year ten papers were published and one is waiting for approval .

- Several courses related with Computer Vision and Robotics fields are being dictated at ESPOL with support from CVR's staff. Undergraduate students at the Department of Electrical and Computer Science Engineering (FIEC) and the Department of Mechanical and Production Sciences Engineering (FIMCP) are taking advantage of courses on: “Procesamiento Digital de Imágenes” y “Fundamentos de Robótica”.

- Two new undergraduate course on “Introducción a los sistemas embebidos” and “Domótica y edificios inteligentes” are being worked to be offered in the future for the undergraduated students of the Department of Electrical and Computer Science Engineering (FIEC).

- Two new members were incorporated to our team as interns, one of them is an ESPOL student and the other one comes from ESPE (Quito). They are working on the maintenance and completing the ESPOL Robot soccer team and the microrobots.

- One CVR’s member is also member of the RIBERO project (Ibero-American Robotics Network).

Six main activities are being developed in order to achieve our specific objective:

1. A research lab for computer vision and robotics has been created, installed and it is operational.

- Basic equipments for setting up the research lab have been acquired and installed.

- Some specialized books have been acquired.

- The Vision and Robotics Center – CVR was created as a new Research Center of the ESPOL. The CVR is associated to the Department of Electrical and Computer Science Engineering (FIEC).

2. A basic research group for developing research projects in image processing, computer vision and robotics is created.

- The Research Group working on Vision and Robotics fields is operational.

3. Research projects that help to solve local social problems using computer vision and image processing techniques are designed and developed.

- The research project that is focused on the diagnose of uterine cancer in Ecuadorian women is being developed. Additionally, some works on biological images analysis are also being made.

- The PhD candidate works in his doctoral project, and additionally, he is working in biological image analysis.

4. Scientific publications for international and national congresses are developed and published.

- This year seven papers were published in journals, international and national congresses; one paper has been submitted to International Conference on Image Analysis and Recognition – ICIAR and three bachelor theses were presented as well. These articles have taken advantage of results obtained from previous researches that were developed for members of the project and CVR.

5. The possibility of being part of academic collaborative networks in specific topics has been reached.

- One CVR’s member is also member of the RIBERO project (Ibero-American Robotics Network). RIBERO was a project support by the Spanish Agency of International Cooperation (AECI) through the Science Program and Technology Development (CYTED). This project was developed beetwen 2001- 2005. RIBERO is an academic collaborative network. Taking advantage of RIBERO a new proposal of project was submitted to CYTED in 2006, but this proposal was not adjudicated. In the future, a new proposal will be present.

6. Formal education in robotics and computer vision at ESPOL has begun.

- The course “Fundamentos de Robótica” is being dictated at ESPOL with support from CVR's staff. Undergraduate students at the Department of Electrical and Computer Science Engineering (FIEC) and the Department of Mechanical and Production Sciences Engineering (FIMCP) are taking advantage of this course.

- Two new undergraduate course on “Introducción a los sistemas embebidos” and “Domótica y edificios inteligentes” are being evaluated in the Faculty to be offered in the future for the undergraduate students of the Department of Electrical and Computer Science Engineering (FIEC).

"Telecommunications" subcomponent

This year we have focused in organizing seminars specialized for the use of programming tools as they are: Matlab and Simulink. These tools are frequently used for the simulation and modeling of the Telecommunications Systems. As in previous semesters, personnel of the VLIR dictated the conference “Satellite TV” for the students of Satellite Communications course. This kind of activities has contributed to the enhancement of the academic undergraduate programs: Telecommunications and Telematic.

Members of the Telecom research group attended international congresses for the presentation and publication of papers related to their research work. Also, we have worked in the organization on the second edition "Symposium Telecommunication’s Systems".

The research group has established relationships with other International Institutions such as ISTEC.

One of the main objectives was to continue with the development of the capabilities of the telecommunications laboratory and to install all the facilities necessary to be able to develop and to present new research projects.

Within the most important facts of the telecommunications subcomponent we have: 1.) The telecommunications lab is completely operational, both for academic purposes and for supporting research projects; 2.) There is a stable research group composed by 3 engineers and three students; 3.) The research group produced and published one scientific paper, and one congress presentation; 4.) It has been offered two specialized seminars; 5.) It was organized the second edition of “Jornadas de Sistemas de Telecomunicaciones”; and, 6.) One of our researchers got a scholarship for obtaining her Master Degree at the United States of North America.

Regarding the doctoral candidate, please review previous remarks about this scholarship. Also, take under consideration that the group, since February 2007, has begun to work on developing the conditions for a Master Degree scholarship in Telecommunications, to replace the Ph.D. Scholarship.

A full detail of all the activities developed by this subcomponent, in a monthly basis, is available among its annexes.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

Telecommunications:

We were able to obtain some internal and external grants for acquiring equipments, training some of our staff, and participating in international congresses. The main external source of this extra funding was ISTEC; internally we received grants from CICYT.

The research personnel have been trained at different seminars, courses and congresses. We have tried to cover technical topics such as FPGA design, research topics such as academic writing, and professional topics such as development of innovative products.

Joselo Vergara, one of our technical assistants, came back from his research scholarship at SUPSI (Italian Switzerland). Right now he is collaborating full time to the project.

We were accepted as members of the Research and Development initiative of ISTEC (Ibero American Science and Technology Education Consortium). During 2007 we have been invited to participate at the General Assembly of ISTEC, and at the annual meeting of the Research and Development Initiative.

With seed funds from ESPOL, we developed the project “Design, Modeling and Implementation of a Virtual Lab for DSP and EDK tools in the VLIR laboratory”.

Software Engineering:

One extra undergraduate thesis group was required. One VLIR competitive fund was granted to the component. This is for the project “Development of a

Methodological Framework for Companies Process Improvement”.

Computer Vision and Robotics:

The new installations for the CVR were built, and the Center is established in these new facilities.

On December 2006, the Second Ecuadorian Championship on Robotics – CER2006 was organized by Universidad Politécnica Salesiana del Ecuador with support of ESPOL. A lot of researches and students from Ecuadorian universities and colleges participated in the event.

In order to have a more efficient access and reduce costs in inbound calls from abroad and take advantage of our data network wiring infrastructure, at the moment we have completed the analysis of requirements for the implementation of a new IPBX Intranet Private Branch Exchange. We are in the process of buying and installing these equipments.

New Research group:

A new research group in Distributed Systems, Internet Applications and Visualization was created. This was started up with the help of a VLIR competitive fund for the project “ Design and Implementation of a Distributed Systems and Applied Internet Technologies lab (ITLab) at ESPOL”.

ADVANCES (Activities originally planned for the next years) We have begun the organization of a major event, “Jornadas Iberoamericanas de Ingeniería Del Software

e Ingeniería Del Conocimiento 2008”. We are going to be the hosts of this event on 2008. So, at the end of 2006, we begun the design and production of all the stationary for the event. Also, we begun to visit different universities of Ecuador for letting them know about the event.

We have also begun to organize the third edition of the “Jornadas de Sistemas de Telecomunicaciones”. Following the good experience with the Robotics Tournament, and the Jornadas de Ingeniería Del Software, we decided to find an Ecuadorian partner for the new edition of this event. In this way, we will assure that the event will have a national connotation. The selected partner for organizing this event during 2007 is Escuela Politécnica del Ejército (ESPE).

The elaboration of a study program for a second undergraduate course (in the robotics and computer vision area), was planned for the fourth year; the name of this course is “Introducción a los sistemas embebidos” and it is being evaluated by the FIEC Department. Additional to this course a third study program for the undergraduate course, “Domótica y edificios inteligentes”, has been made and it is being currently evaluated as well.

Regarding the Computer Vision and Robotics subcomponent, only two publications were planned for this fourth VLIR year. However, this year eleven papers have been published.

Purchase of switches brand 3COM and a wireless router Linksys-CISCO to set up network points for internet service in the CVR facilities: offices, lab and auditorium.

During the AP2006 a new laser printer was purchased, this acquisition was not planned for this year. During the AP2006, new telephone lines were installed for the new CVR facilities. This activity was not

planned for this year.

Justification of the differences between the approved budget and the present cost (explanation of exchange differential use).

As it was mentioned before, component 8 received two VLIR competitive funds, and a grant from ISTEC. In this way, we counted with almost 20.511 extra euros for year 2006.

We also received help from IEEE and ISTEC for keynote speakers for the Jornadas de Ingeniería del Software, and for Jornadas de Sistemas de Telecomunicaciones. The help of IEEE allowed us to save around 4.000 euros in traveling expenses, hotels and perdiem. Part of this money was used for partially funding the visit of Prof. Dr. Sidharta Gautama for the Join Steering Committee to be held in Guayaquil at the end of March 2006. Our original plan was to receive only one of our Belgian Promotors, this was fulfilled with the visit of Prof. Dr. Monique Snoeck on November 2006.

There has been a difference between the original exchange rate it was considered to elaborate the budget and the exchange rate that was available at the moment of paying the costs of the activities. We considered beginning with a rate of 1.1842 American dollars per Euro, but we actually begun with a rate of 1.2669 American dollars per Euro. This created a difference of 0.0827 dollars per Euro. Moreover, at the end of February 2007, the rate changed again. We worked during March with a rate of 1.2789 American dollars per Euro, so the difference during the last month was of 0.0947 dollars per Euro. It has to be understood that this differential only affects to activities that were paid at Ecuador. This year, the total amount spent at Ecuador was of €50.792. Therefore, the total differential caused by component 8 is about 4.251 American dollars, or around €5437.

We need to remind that the exchange differential helps us to cover every year the expenses caused by Ecuadorian taxes, and insurance of our equipments. This is because when we prepared the PP document, we did not considered these expenses.

Additionally, some new equipments, parts, office furniture and books were bought taking advantage of this exchange differential, and the savings caused by IEEE and ISTEC help:

We bought parts and equipments for implementing a VOIP system for the CVR (computer vision and robotics subcomponent). Cost of this activity: € 1162,22

Purchase of a CPU, switches brand 3COM, a wireless router Linksys-CISCO to set up network points for internet service in the CVR facilities: offices, lab and auditorium. Cost of this activity: € 893,27

A new laser printer was purchased; this acquisition was not planned for this year. Cost of this investment: € 441,14

A seminar related to “Development of Innovative Products” was organized and offered to all the members of Component 8. Cost of this activity: € 741

The improvement of the software engineering lab included the acquirement of a new PC. Cost of this investment: € 717.24

Hotels and traveling expenses for Prof. Sidharta Gautama. Cost of this activity: € 1228,11 Books acquired for the Distributed Systems research group. Cost of this investment: € 427,96 Books acquired for the Software Engineering subcomponent. Cost of this investment: €106,75 Showcases for the library that is being implemented at CVR. Cost of this investment: €700,17 Hotels for the Promotor of the Component to attend the meetings of the JSC 2007 at Salinas. Cost of this

activity: € 148,57

General commentaries with respect to the Programme Implementation.

Excluding the problem with the doctoral scholarship of Hernán Córdova, the results reflect a 100% degree of fulfillment of Component 8 activities. In some cases we have found that either we have developed new activities, or we have implemented some activities in advance.

There is an important effort devoted to find a Master Degree Scholarship for the Telecommunications subcomponent, in order to use the economical resources that will be released because of the termination of Hernán Córdova scholarship. So far we have not be able to find a proper program (all of them are in Dutch).

Institutional impact and Sustainability

As it has been described before, Component 8 has developed many tasks that will improve teaching experiences at the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department of ESPOL. We have helped to provide a suitable telecommunications lab, a specialized software engineering lab. We have offered courses related to the computer vision and robotics subcomponent, to the software engineering subcomponent, and to the telecommunications subcomponent. The whole group also is helping in providing means to the senior students who want to work on a thesis project related to the activities of Component 8. The graduation of the students has been always a big issue at ESPOL; therefore this collaboration of the group is really important. Moreover, the quality of the thesis works has been improved. We believe ESPOL is a national referent in issues related to Robotics and Software Engineering.

New research groups have been created at the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. One of them is definitely related to our component: Distributed Systems, Internet Applications and Visualization. Other groups are not work related to VLIR, but we think there has been an influence of our work. For instance, one of these groups is working on Mobile Telecommunications.

The Computer Vision and Robotics Center has been created, and since 2006 it has its own functional facilities. This will help to develop different activities to transfer technology to the national industry.

Thanks to component 8 activities, ESPOL is part of four international research networks or organizations: FIRA: Federation of International Robot Soccer Association RIBERO: Red Ibeoramericana de Robótica COMPETISOFT: Competitive Software.- Iberoamerican Research Network on Software Engineering. ISTEC: Iberoamerican Science and Technology Education Consortium.

Annexes


1. Software1.1. Activities

1.1.1. April-December 2006 folder (it contains .doc files)1.1.2. January-March 2007 folder (it contains .doc files)

1.1.1.9. A40 – fotos_Innovation (carpeta)


1.2. Books1.2.1. Books.doc

1.3. Personnel 1.3.1 Members.doc1.3.2 Curriculum (folder)

1.3.2.1. Fátima Cedeño.doc1.3.2.2. Henry Hernández.doc1.3.2.3. Jorge Mazón.doc1.3.2.4 Lorena Tacury.doc1.3.2.5 Luis Morocho.doc1.3.2.6 María Macías.doc1.3.2.7 Mónica Villavicencio.doc1.3.2.8 Pablo Barba.doc1.3.2.9 Raúl González.doc1.3.2.10 Verónica Uquillas.doc

1.3.3 Workgroup Activities (fólder)1.4. Equipments

1.4.1. Equipments.doc1.5. Magazines

1.5.1. Magazine.doc1.6. Publications

1.6.1 Paper on magazine.doc1.6.2 Papers (folder containing the full papers)

1.7 Workshops1.7.1 Attended (folder)

1.7.1.1 Jornadas Iberoamericanas de Ingeniería del Software 2007 (folder)1.7.2 Organized (folder)

1.7.2.1 III Software Engineering Conference (folder)1.7.2.2 Object Oriented Business Modelling (folder)

1.7.2.3 Software Engineering Day (folder)2. Telecommunications

2.1. Front_Page.doc2.2 Activity Annual Report April 2006 March 2007.doc2.3 Activities

2.3.1 Planned Activities.xls2.3.2 Planned Activities 2006.xls

2.3.3 Activities Evaluation 2006.xls 2.3.4 Comparison Activity Report 2006.doc2.4 Personnel 2.4.1 Members.doc

3. Robotics3.1. Education

3.1.1 Reference_[17] (folder)3.2. Networking

3.2.1 Reference_[16] (folder)3.3. Research Projects

3.3.1 Reference_[13] (fólder)3.4. Scholarships

3.4.1Local Scholarships3.4.1.1. Referente_[8] (fólder)

3.4.2 Ph.D.Scholarship3.4.2.1 Reference_[4] (fólder)3.4.2.2 Reference_[5] (fólder)3.4.2.3 Reference_[7] (fólder)3.4.2.4 Reference_[12] (fólder)

3.5. Personnel3.5.1 personnel.doc

3.6. Investments3.6.1 Reference_[1] (fólder)3.6.2 Reference_[9] (fólder)

3.6.3 Reference_[10] (folder)3.6.4 Reference_[11] (folder)3.6.5 Books

3.6.5.1 books.doc3.6.5.2 Reference_[3] (folder)

3.6.6. Office Furniture3.6.6.1 Office Furniture.doc

3.6.7 Equipments3.6.7.1 List of Equipment.doc3.6.7.2 Reference_[2] (folder)

3.7. Publications3.7.1 Publications_AP2006.doc3.7.2 Reference_[14] (folder)3.7.3 Reference_[15] (folder)

annual reports 2006

Business

project output

elsen local project

ecuador flemish project

scientific research

research enhancement

thematicperform research

vlir espol programme

programme vlirespol