YACHAY: An Innovative Case Study Model of University-Company Cooperation in Latin America

This document describes an innovative and revolutionary project as a case study model of a planned technological city in Ecuador that links the First University of Technology and Experimental Research, Public and Private Institutes of Research, Technology Transfer Centres, High-tech Companies and Agricultural Industry. YACHAY is the name of this groundbreaking project that aims to become the first knowledge hub in Latin America. The University-Company Cooperation strategy includes technological innovation and knowledge-intensive business, combining entrepreneurial ideas, human talent and infrastructure-edge scientific applications. Three strategic areas are defined as Special Economic Development Zones: Industrial, Logistical and Technological, which are aligned with the Strategic Governmental Plan of creating a knowledge-based-society. It is expected that this new STP boosts high socio-economic impacts in the Latin American region.