Thanks to a cooperation agreement between Universidad Politecnica Salesiana and the community of San Jose de Ayora, located in the province of Pichincha, a Research and Innovation Station for life sciences and sustainable development is being built in order to strengthen agriculture production systems.

The station will be a benchmark for research and practice for UPS degree and postgraduate programs, mainly those related to the area of Life Sciences, sustainable development, as well as for teachers, technicians, agricultural producers of surrounding communities. 

The implementation of infrastructure and basic equipment began at the end of 2019; at the moment classrooms, offices, warehouses, laboratories of animal physiology and sanitary batteries are being completed. "There is 65% progress of the work; due to the confinement caused by the pandemic, the schedule was not met, but this year we will continue with the second stage of the station," explained Charles Cachipuendo, who is in charge of the project.

During the second phase, they will implement research units in water management and handling (irrigation, drinking water and wastewater treatment) and physical-chemical and microbiological analyzes of the water will be carried out, both for internal research and for external clients.

The Milk Quality laboratories will keep information on the quality of raw material in the parameters of the chemical composition of fat, protein and total solids. This laboratory will carry out physical-chemical tests such as humidity, ash, PH and determination of antibiotics.

The Geomatics laboratory will potentiate work on land use, land use planning, cartographic survey and precision agriculture. Also social geography, where conflict resolution processes will be simulated by the use of elements of nature and interrelationships between social and community sectors.

"The development of research will have a participatory approach with researchers, students and producers through research groups and educational innovation, degree and post graduate programs at UPS", stated Cachipuendo.