Annemie

In June 2024, together with two colleagues from Hasselt University, I traveled to Universidad Técnica del Norte (UTN) in Ibarra, Ecuador. We were warmly welcomed, and it felt truly rewarding to be back at UTN.

Since 2017, I have been building a strong partnership with UTN, particularly with the Faculty of Health. From the very first interaction, there was an immediate click and mutual respect, which quickly developed into a deep and lasting collaboration. What started as a student exchange program between UHasselt, PXL (AUHL) and UTN soon expanded into a VLIR-UOS Short Initiative, laying the foundation for a broader and more ambitious partnership.

Over the years, our collaboration has led to a series of joint initiatives, not only in the faculty of health, but also in the faculty of education with colleagues of PXL. In March 2024, when UTN representatives visited Hasselt, the idea emerged to explore the potential of developing an Institutional University Cooperation (IUC) project together.

Following several online meetings, we carefully prepared our visit to UTN to co-develop the Expression of Interest for the IUC project. During an intensive three-day workshop, we engaged with researchers, teaching staff, and local stakeholders to ensure that the project aligns with the real needs of the region while fostering sustainable and inclusive development. I was deeply impressed by their commitment and determination to promote social inclusion and long-term resilience for local minority groups, while also valuing the preservation of traditional wisdom alongside evidence-based research. Once again, I felt the positive energy that UTN and its people radiate.

These joint efforts led to the conceptualization of the project “EMPOWER2LIV@UTN: Empowering Marginalized Urban and Rural Communities in Imbabura to Enhance Well-Being and Quality of Life through Living Labs.” The project focuses on improving the well-being and quality of life for marginalized urban and rural communities in Imbabura, with particular attention to Indigenous and Afro-descendant populations. It does so by investing in integrated healthcare, inclusive education, environmental sustainability, circular economy, and improved nutrition. Living labs will be installed to co-create with the local communities and different stakeholders ensuring that solutions respect their needs and values while driving sustainable development and social inclusion in the region.

We are delighted that the project has been selected for the second phase! As we move forward, we warmly invite researchers, professionals, and partners to join us and contribute their expertise, resources and innovative ideas. The second phase will be submitted by June 5, 2025. By working together, we can create a more inclusive and sustainable future for the communities of Imbabura. If you are interested in contributing, we would love to hear from you and we welcome you at the consortium building event on 24/03!