Discovery Park and Peruvian university sign MOU to strengthen cooperation in education, innovation

Officials celebrate the May 4 signing of a memorandum of understanding between Purdue's Discovery Park and the UNSA, the Universidad Nacional de San Agustin, one of Peru's top universities. From left: Juan Carlos Yuyes Meza, a committee chairman in Peru's Congress; Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, chief scientist and executive director of Discovery Park; and Rohel Sánchez Sánchez, rector (president) of UNSA; and Ricardo Torreblanca, president and global director of the Core Foundation based in the Kurz Purdue Technology Center. The Core Foundation will assist in efforts growing from the MOU. (Purdue University photo/Discovery Park) Download image

Discovery Park and the Universidad Nacional de San Agustin (UNSA), in Arequipa, Peru, signed a memorandum of understanding Thursday (May 4) at the Kurz Purdue Technology Center to solidify a budding partnership, which seeks to foster international cooperation in education and research. 

Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, chief scientist and executive director of Discovery Park, and Rohel Sánchez Sánchez, rector (president) of UNSA, signed the memorandum, which encourages the following activities to promote international academic cooperation:

* Exchange of materials in education and research, publications and academic information.

* Exchange of faculty and research scholars.

* Exchange of students.

* Joint research and meetings for education and research.

* Technical assistance.

* Guidance in the creation of a technology park in Arequipa.

* Guidance in the area of technology transfer.

Others from Peru attending the signing were Horacio Barreda Tamayo, vice rector for research at UNSA; Juan Carlos Yuyes Meza, chairman of the Peruvian Congress’ Committee on Science, Innovation and Technology; and members of two other congressional committees: Education, Youth and Sports; and Foreign Relations.

Purdue representatives in attendance included Suresh Garimella, executive vice president for research and partnerships, and Greg Deason, senior vice president and director of innovation and entrepreneurship at the Purdue Research Foundation.

The Core Foundation, based in the Kurz Purdue Technology Center in the Purdue Research Park of West Lafayette, facilitated the interaction and visit, and will assist with the partnership. Ricardo Torreblanca, its president and global director, and vice president, Paola Torreblanca-Fischer, also attended the MOU signing.

Arequipa is in far southern Peru. UNSA, a public university, is considered one of Peru's best universities. The memorandum will remain in effect for five years and includes the possibility of an extension.

Writer: Amy Schlueter, 765-496-7823, aschlue@purdue.edu

Source: Cliff Wojtalewicz, 765-496-3961, cliffw@purdue.edu