Social Innovation: a meeting point between institutions

In order to gather successful experiences in other centers and social innovation laboratories of different Higher Education institutions and organizations in general, the team from the University Social Interaction Directorate (ISU) visited the Uniminuto Science and Innovation Park (PCIS).

The Social Innovation Laboratory of UCundinamarca is an initiative of ISU and the Academic Vice-Rector's Office, supported by the Rector's vision, which aims to provide solutions to the problems identified in the territories.

Social innovation occurs through the implementation of tools or methodologies designed to offer a new, improved and sustainable solution, compared to the current solution, aimed at generating value for communities and territories, in the face of situations such as poverty, unemployment, climate change or insecurity.

“We are in the methodological phase of forming the Social Innovation Laboratory, which is why we visited Uniminuto; with this we learn from its successful trajectory and enrich this experience for the benefit of the communities and territories that the project will cover; it is also a case of cooperation that we hope will be expanded with more Universities of the ASCUN National Extension Network,” explained Patricia Gil, ISU director.

The welcome address at the Uniminuto Science and Innovation Park was given by Ana Cristina Bayona, Vice-Rector of Social Outreach for the Bogotá campus, and Juan Fernando Pacheco Duarte, Rector of the PCIS. During the tour of the different areas, they explained the Park's methodology, its operation, and its evolution.

“The core team of the ISU Social Innovation Lab learned firsthand about the administrative workings, how its partnerships are managed, and most importantly, they were invited to work together for the communities,” explained Hamilton Guzmán, leader of the Social Innovation Lab at UCundinamarca.

Just as on this occasion, the experience was shared with Uniminuto, other organizations have shared and continue to participate in the dialogues promoted by the Directorate of Social Interaction – ISU.

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