The signing of the agreement took place on 8 November in the office of the rector of the UTEQ, where Vallardo Villegas, zonal coordinator 5 and 8 of Senescyt, and Eduardo Diaz, rector of the University of Quevedo, signed the document.

The following universities are also part of this agreement: Universidad de las Artes, Universidad Católica Santiago de Guayaquil, Universidad Técnica de Babahoyo, Universidad Estatal de Bolívar and Universidad Estatal de Milagro. These institutions will work to strengthen the innovation ecosystem in zones 5 and 8, thus contributing to the productive development of the country and boosting the knowledge-based economy.

Vallardo Villegas explained that this agreement will also allow for the promotion of continuous training courses and postgraduate programmes in the areas of innovation, entrepreneurship and knowledge and technology transfer.