The Technical State University of Quevedo (UTEQ) continues to strengthen its international cooperation ties through an academic visit to The Ohio State University (OSU) in the United States, held from October 18 to 25, 2026, featuring an agenda of institutional and scientific activities at the Columbus and Wooster campuses.

The delegation was led by Dr. Yenny Torres Navarrete, Rector of UTEQ, accompanied by Dr. Ítalo Espinoza Guerra, Dean of the Faculty of Animal Sciences, and Ms. Angélica Rivadeneira, Coordinator of the National and Foreign Language Pedagogy Degree Program.

One of the main outcomes of this international mission was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between UTEQ and The Ohio State University on October 19, establishing an institutional framework to strengthen academic, scientific, and technological cooperation between the two universities.

During the working sessions, held from October 19 to 23, the delegation met with university authorities and representatives from research, graduate studies, international cooperation, and academic mobility departments to identify collaborative opportunities that would enhance UTEQ's academic and research capabilities.

As part of the agenda, the institutional representatives visited laboratories and specialized centers focusing on sustainability and carbon management, food science and technology, agricultural economics, entomology, plant pathology, horticulture, agronomic crops, and animal sciences, gaining insights into experiences and technologies applied to agricultural research and production.

Additionally, opportunities related to doctoral education, faculty and researcher exchanges, and the development of joint scientific projects were explored, particularly in areas associated with food innovation, sustainability, and the improvement of production systems.

Another topic of interest was the international TOP Internship Program, identified as a potential opportunity to expand practical training experiences and international mobility for students and graduates, subject to compliance with the program's established requirements and conditions.

This visit represents a step forward in UTEQ's internationalization strategy, aimed at fostering partnerships with internationally recognized higher education institutions, promoting knowledge transfer, and creating opportunities for academic and scientific development within its university community.