USFQ and INSPI sign an agreement to strengthen scientific research and academic training

Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) and the National Institute of Public Health Research (INSPI) ‘Dr. Leopoldo Izquieta Pérez,’ an institution under the Ministry of Public Health (MSP), have signed an inter-institutional cooperation agreement to strengthen scientific research and academic training in public health and wildlife conservation in Ecuador.

As part of this agreement, INSPI has opened an office within the Galapagos Science Center (GSC), located on San Cristóbal Island, creating a key space for collaboration between both institutions. This initiative begins in the Galapagos Islands with the goal of expanding to mainland Ecuador and internationally.

By signing this agreement, USFQ and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), through the Galapagos Science Center (GSC), reaffirm their commitment to biodiversity conservation and the well-being of island ecosystems. They also lead the strategic planning for the implementation of a Comprehensive Wildlife Health System in the Galapagos, an innovative model based on the One Health approach, which recognizes the connection between animal, environmental, and human health.

Through this collaboration, INSPI has established an office within the GSC Microbiology Laboratory. Both institutions will work together on projects related to infectious diseases, epidemiological monitoring and control, vaccines, and other key areas, utilizing advanced tools for the analysis of biological samples and geospatial data from the Galapagos.

The signing of this agreement and the opening of the INSPI office at the Galapagos Science Center mark a significant milestone for public health, wildlife research, and conservation in the islands. This partnership will facilitate ongoing knowledge exchange between GSC and INSPI experts.

Gulnara Borja Cabrera, Executive Director of INSPI, emphasized the importance of having an institutional presence in the Galapagos to improve response times to public health emergencies. “When new epidemiological outbreaks occur in Galapagos, a rapid response is crucial. With a technical office at the GSC, we will be able to respond quickly, develop joint research projects, and contribute to the quality control of hospital results on the islands,” she stated.

Meanwhile, Diego Quiroga, President of USFQ, highlighted the impact of this alliance on strengthening research in Ecuador. “This collaboration enhances the study of biodiversity, public health, and human-wildlife interactions. Working with INSPI in this space will contribute to generating knowledge that directly impacts health and conservation policies,” he affirmed.

Commitment to Research, Training, and Knowledge Exchange

Through this agreement, GSC and INSPI commit to:

  • Developing research projects in areas of mutual interest.
  • Sharing research findings and securing funding for their execution.
  • Coordinating and participating in scientific events, conferences, and seminars to foster academic and technical exchange.
  • Establishing institutional mechanisms for project implementation, student internships, and professional training.
  • Providing access to relevant information for research initiatives.
  • Offering theoretical and practical training for INSPI staff, along with technical support in laboratory management and operations.

Key Research Initiatives

The initial projects under this agreement will include:

  • Epidemiological monitoring of infectious diseases in wildlife and humans in the Galapagos Islands.
  • Development of biosafety protocols to prevent epidemiological outbreaks.
  • Quality control of clinical results in Galapagos hospitals to ensure accurate diagnostics.
  • Research on antimicrobial resistance in island ecosystems.
  • Study of zoonotic diseases and their impact on public health and biodiversity.

This strategic alliance, launched in the Galapagos, aims to expand to mainland Ecuador and internationally, setting a precedent for inter-institutional cooperation in public health development. With this initiative, GSC and INSPI reaffirm their commitment to knowledge generation and improving the quality of life for Ecuadorian communities.

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In 2022, the Galapagos Science Center (GSC) and the broader UNC & USFQ Galapagos Initiative will celebrate its 10th Anniversary. We are proud to announce the World Summit on Island Sustainability scheduled to be held on June 26–30, 2022 at the Galapagos Science Center and the Community Convention Center on San Cristobal Island.

The content of the World Summit will be distributed globally through social media and results documented through papers published in a book written as part of the Galapagos Book Series by Springer Nature and edited by Steve Walsh (UNC) & Carlos Mena (USFQ) as well as Jill Stewart (UNC) and Juan Pablo Muñoz (GSC/USC). The book will be inclusive and accessible by the broader island community including scientists, managers, residents, tourists, and government and non-government organizations.

While the most obvious goal of organizing the World Summit on Island Sustainability is to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the GSC and the UNC-USFQ Galapagos Initiative, other goals will be addressed through special opportunities created as part of our operational planning of the World Summit.

For instance, we seek to elevate and highlight the Galapagos in the island conservation discourse, seeking to interact with other island networks in more obvious and conspicuous ways to benefit the Galapagos Islands, the UNC-USFQ Galapagos Initiative, and the world. We will seize the opportunity to further develop the I2N2 – International Islands Network-of-Networks. Further, we wish to highlight and emphasize multiple visions of a sustainable future for the Galapagos Islands and we cannot do this alone. Therefore, engaging the Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Tourism, the Government Council of Galapagos, the Galapagos National Park, and local Galapagos authorities, including government and non-government organizations and local citizen groups, is imperative.

The Galapagos Science Center on San Cristobal Island, Galapagos

Borrowing from Hawaii’s and Guam’s Green Growth Program and the Global Island Partnership, we wish to examine existing global programs that emphasize island sustainability and their incorporation into life, policies, and circumstances in the Galapagos Islands. We will also seek to enhance our connections with the institutional members of our International Galapagos Science Consortium and expand the Consortium through the recruitment of other member institutions. We will also work to benefit islands and their local communities by working with citizen groups as well as important NGOs who seek to improve the natural conditions in the Galapagos and diminish the impact of the human dimension on the future of Galapagos’ ecosystems.

Lastly, we will use the World Summit to benefit UNC & USFQ and our constituencies through a strong and vibrant communication plan about the World Summit, creating corporate relationships as sponsors, identifying funding goals through donors, and benefiting our study abroad program for student engagement in the Galapagos Islands. We plan to develop and issue a Galapagos Sustainability Communique after the World Summit that includes the vision and insights of all its participants for a sustainable Galapagos with applicability to global island settings.

We are eager to hear your perspective and have you join us at the World Summit on Island Sustainability!