The Information and Communication Technologies Associated with Disability Research Group (El Grupo de Tecnologías de Información y Comunicación Asociadas a Discapacidad (TICAD) held an academic conference called "The role of women in research" in order to create spaces for dissemination and awareness of the contribution made by women to science.

 

The event, held at the "Centenario" Campus in UPS's branch campus in Guayaquil, was attended by the speakers Roxana Catellano, president of the Creática Foundation of Montevideo (Uruguay), and Alice Naranjo, TICAD coordinator.

 

System engineering students from the Seeds Research Group participated in the program. "We want to encourage the participation of women in research, that students know the opportunities they have in this field, as well as the experiences of other women researchers," Naranjo said.

Some of the topics were:

• The role of women in research

 

• Activities that are done in research groups

 • The sensitivity of women in research

• Development of research projects that contribute to society

• Icts for inclusion

• The quality and permanence of the prototype or product resulting from the investigation.

For Naranjo, despite the great steps that women have taken in this field, participation continues to be a minority and therefore it is necessary to know the causes and factors to break the patterns that are generating this situation. "We must encourage UPS students to know a world of opportunities that exist in research, as well as offer them counseling opportunities, this way we help them in the development of their career prospects, degree projects and scientific projects within the existing groups in the University, "he said.

In  Guayaquil 31.4% of the group members are women and 25% are coordinators of the existing research groups, according to data provided by the Research Coordination. "There is an adequate participation of women in the research groups, but this situation could be increased in the case of Guayaquil", said Naranjo.