The 2021 edition of the International Congress on Science, Technology and Innovation for Society (CITIS 2021 for its acronym in Spanish) was held through digital platforms. Every year, this event brings national and international experts together to discuss innovative projects.

This 7th edition focused on 5 aspects: industrial, mobility, environmental sustainability, information and telecommunications. The memoire will be published in Springer, in its books "Smart Innovation Systems and Technologies" and indexed to Q3 SCImago Journal & Country Rank. This was also the first time the conference was held in English. 

CITIS 2021 began with six academic workshops on topics related to Artificial Intelligence; Renewable energy; Automotive electronics; Bioengineering and Research. The workshops took two days and lasted approximately three hours and were attended by approximately two hundred participants.

The opening ceremony was held during the second day of the congress, which was attended by Fr. Juan Cárdenas, UPS President; Fernando Pesántez, General Vice President; Ángela Flores, Academic Vice president; Juan Pablo Salgado, Head of Research; Raúl Álvarez, María Sol Villagómez, Fernando Moscoso and Diego Peñaloza.

"This is the first edition of the Congress held virtually, but it is done with the same motiviation, with the same passion for research from both teachers and student researchers to propose solutions to problems in society", stated Juan Cárdenas, UPS president.

Raúl Álvarez, vice president of our branch campus in Guayaquil, stated his commitment to academic activities in favor of research, "We are aware that in order to progress in science it is necessary to support these events".

After the opening ceremony, attendees had access to four keynotes on artificial intelligence, asset management, the future of agriculture and solar houses, which were led by experts from Spain, Portugal, Peru and Colombia. In addition to thirty technical sessions related to industry, information, telecommunications and the environment.

Participants also took part in "StartUPS Talks", an event to present topics on entrepreneurship, innovation, knowledge exchange and innovative experiences. 

"This event is dedicated to students, professors and professionals. It is never too late to challenge our imagination, unleash our creativity and create", said Pablo Perez, member of the CITIS 2021 organizing committee. 

Agenda of the Congress: https://upsalesiana.ec/agendacitis