KNOWLEDGE CHERRY BITE
Ecuador's Yachay - City of Knowledge project, inspired by the Silicon Valley concept, is set to get underway blending higher education with an applied technology think-tank approach to learning.
The government of Ecuador is highly invested in technology, and it has set the tone for the private sector on how they should allocate their budgets to this field. The best example of this is the City of Yachay, which is known as the “City of Knowledge” in Ecuador. In my 17 years at IBM, I have never seen such an ambitious and sizable investment in technology from the government. This investment also encourages local technology firms, especially those engaged with software production, to develop themselves. Ecuador is a leading software developer in the region if we bear in mind the size of the country, its economy, and its population. Ecuador has local software companies exporting regionally with a high level of reputation. In this context, Ecuador is firmly moving toward becoming a regional referent in the software industry thanks to the economic and industrial developments in the country over the last few years. And we have to keep in mind not only the technological production of such an ambitious project, but its future educational contribution to a country such as Ecuador and a region like Latin America. Ecuador is set to become a producer of IT talent from which the government, as well as the public and private sectors, will benefit. In this context, the City of Yachay will bring together the public, private, and academic sectors.
Ecuador has many entrepreneurs, and 20 years ago many people started technology companies. The problem was that we did not have a government that understood technology. We did not have a market or laws for entrepreneurs. Today, the new economy that the government has established has integrated well. A market needs to speak about innovation and entrepreneurship. Today, it is as if the stars have aligned and now entrepreneurship is possible, which is fantastic. I believe Ecuador was reborn, and became a new country. To this end, I think Yachay is important in the educational system because it is about research and new technologies, but it is only about applied research. Research needs to connect to reality. Reality is the companies, the enterprises, and the necessities. It is possible for Yachay to have incubators and accelerators, which is great. If Yachay has accelerators, this is good for us, because we need more help to do more with entrepreneurship and start-ups. Moreover I believe Yachay is doing well in involving the private sector. It is not possible to do only public work; that is not good. Good examples of this include Ireland, Israel, South Korea, Malaysia, and, of course, Singapore. These are examples of start-up nations. They have blended the public and the private sectors.
Ecuador has experienced significant changes in its IT industry, not only in terms of the advancement of its infrastructure, but in demand patterns and market trends too. These have been linked to generational changes in Ecuadorean society. I believe that today Ecuadorean human capital in segments such as software and applications is highly qualified and skilled. We have software developers that have worked with well-known multinationals in the development of new apps and software. However, our segment in particular still requires know-how and technology transfer from the main multinational companies operating in Ecuador. As an Ecuadorean, the Yachay project will be good for the country and the industry, positively contributing to building up such expertise and bringing even faster technological developments to both Ecuador and the sector. All in all, I think that the city of Yachay will better position the industry as one of the main drivers in Ecuador's efforts to change its production matrix, while boosting the export profile of this industry. I think higher education centers in Ecuador should follow the trend that Yachay will set, boosting cooperation between all parts and involving the private sector. The effect of the city of Yachay will impact not only the IT sector, but the entire economy of the country and its people too, because it will boost innovation in other key economic sectors for the country.
KNOWLEDGE CHERRY BITE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
Cristian Espinosa C., Executive Director, Ecuadorian-American Chamber of Commerce
TBY talks to Cristian Espinosa C., Executive Director of the Ecuadorian-American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM Quito), on trade with the US, supporting Ecuadorean and US companies, and bilateral agreements.
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My Word Is My Bond
The long expected change in Rafael Correa's approach toward the international bond market in June 2014 caught the attention of 200 international investors, and underlines Ecuador's projected public investment in its 'Buen Vivir' project.
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Hugo Villacrés Endara, President of the Board, Ecuadorean Institute of Social Security (IESS)
TBY talks to Hugo Villacrés Endara, President of the Board of the Ecuadorean Institute of Social Security (IESS), on national development, the state of the economy, and public-private partnerships.
read articleInterview
María Soledad Barrera A., Chairwoman of the Board, Corporación Financiera Nacional (CFN)
TBY talks to María Soledad Barrera A., Chairwoman of the Board of Corporación Financiera Nacional (CFN), on economic development, capital markets, and internationalizing Ecuador's economy.
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Santiago Yépez Dávila, General Manager, Empresa Nacional Minera (ENAMI EP)
TBY talks to Santiago Yépez Dávila, General Manager of Empresa Nacional Minera (ENAMI EP), on the role of a publically owned mining company, its role in the productive matrix, and legislative reforms in the sector.
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René Ramírez Gallegos, National Secretary of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ecuador
TBY talks to René Ramírez Gallegos, National Secretary of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation of Ecuador, on technology parks, Yachay, and international partnerships.
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HE Paola Carvajal, Minister of Transport and Public Works, Ecuador
TBY talks to HE Paola Carvajal, Minister of Transport and Public Works, on investment in transportation infrastructure, responding to changes in the maritime industry, and developments in the aviation industry.
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Manuel Román Moreno, General Manager, Empresa Pública Cementera del Ecuador
TBY talks to Manuel Román Moreno, General Manager of Empresa Pública Cementera del Ecuador, on changing cement production levels, restructuring, and proposed PPP investment in domestic clinker production.
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Guillermo Menéndez, General Manager, Grunenthal Ecuatoriana
TBY talks to Guillermo Menéndez, General Manager of Grunenthal Ecuatoriana, on growth plans for Latin America, the flexibility created by having your own manufacturing plant, and the role pharmaceutical companies should play in supporting public health.
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Sergio Flores Macías, President, Escuela Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL)
TBY talks to Sergio Flores Macías, President of Escuela Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL), on promoting advanced research, working with the private sector, and becoming an internationally recognized institution.
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Dr. José Barbosa Corbacho, Rector-Chancellor, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL)
TBY talks to Dr. José Barbosa Corbacho, Rector-Chancellor of Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL), on pioneering distance learning, local economic development, and raising academic standards to international levels.
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Fabián Carrasco Castro, Rector, Universidad de Cuenca
TBY talks to Fabián Carrasco Castro, Rector of Universidad de Cuenca, on promoting more research in higher education, forging connections with overseas institutions, and the university's symbiotic relationship with the city.
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Jorge Eduardo Carrera, General Manager, Ferrocarriles del Ecuador
TBY talks to Jorge Eduardo Carrera, General Manager of Ferrocarriles del Ecuador on modernizing Ecuador's rail network, increasing numbers of local and international tourists, and the positive social impact rail can have on rural communities.
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Mauricio Durango Pérez, Founder and CEO, Moore Stephens
TBY talks to Mauricio Durango Pérez, Founder and CEO of Moore Stephens, on providing wide ranging strategic business consultancy services, the value of creative personalized advice, and new entrants to the Ecuadorian market.
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