Electronic engineering professors and students from the university's branch in Quito visited the Salinas de Guaranda community in order to meet Father Antonio Polo, director of the "Familia Salesiana Salinas" Foundation (FFSS) and learn about the operation of the "Salinerito" micro enterprises. UPS representatives visited several micro enterprises and talked to officials from the Foundation about the possibility of establishing agreements with UPS.

Father Polo said that one of his dreams is to join the academia of UPS with the "El Salinerito" Foundation. This would generate research, learning, growth and will strengthen both parties. Professors Ítalo Jumbo, Enith Marcillo, Jorge Díaz, Lenin Aucatoma, Víctor Narváez and Vinicio Tapia, members of the "Bioética" academic group, met with Carlos Mendez, director of FFSS, and Alessandro Gotte, coordinator of FFSS. 

FFSS is made up by micro enterprises such as "la Hilandera", "la Quesera", "la Fábrica de aceites", "la Secadora de frutas y hierbas naturales". These companies operate under a solidarity based economy, which has allowed families in this community to improve their quality of life through responsible work. 

Along with Alessandro Gotte, they visited the "Chocolatera" confectionary, where they make chocolate for export, to learn about the production process. From the 3rd to the 5th of November the FFSS will hold a Cheese and Andean Culture Festival (https://www.salinerito.com/ven-a-salinas/festival-queso) with national and international experts in the field.
The aim of the visit to "Salinerito" was to reach an agreement between UPS and the "Familia Salesiana Salinas" Foundation so that UPS students can do practicums and projects that could contribute to the development of these companies.

Here is a description of some of the micro enterprises:

-    Essential Oils Factory: produces essential oils extracted from plants in the area

-    Ali Salinas (Soya derivatives): is a bakery that uses soya to produce bread, cookies and pies.

-    "The Salinerito" Confectionary factory  is the most modern plant of the foundation where chocolates, candies and jams are processed. Each product has different machines.

-    Community Radio 89.9 FM "Salinerito": participated in the competition for allocation of radio frequencies as a community radio station. It has community outreach and is in the process of extending coverage to Guaranda and the district of Simiatug, with the construction of a tower with transmitter. It has a wireless Internet network that seeks connection with communities and where the inhabitants are being trained on the use of Internet. The community intends to use this medium to address issues such as: distance learning, communication, work or health.

-    Fungi Dryer: it belongs to the "Grupo Juvenil Salinas" Foundation - FUGJS. The company works in drying edible fungi (Sullius letus), sliced fruits and medicinal plants.