The purpose of the partnership is to promote exchange programs between students from Tennessee, USA, and Yachay Tech.

September 10, 2018

Yachay Tech welcomed James G. Linn, PhD, Director of the Tennessee Chapter of Partners of the Americas. His visit sought to establish an official alliance between both institutions. During his visit that took place on September 6 and 7, 2018, James Linn held meetings with Eduardo Ludeña and Joaquin Brito, Rector and Chancellor respectively, and with Helene Skikos, Coordinator of International Cooperation and Academic Exchanges. Linn gave a talk where he presented the international possibilities for research and education that his Institution offers.

During the meeting some possibilities for collaboration between Yachay Tech and Partners of America, Tenessee Chapter, were established. The main objective of this partnership is to promote exchange programs for Yachay Tech students and several public and private institutions in Tennessee, United States. In this sense, James Linn hopes students from Tennessee can take part in the From the Amazon to the Galapagos exchange program designed by Yachay Tech.

The program consists of a specialized semester for Geology and Biology students who are interested in studying in the Galapagos Islands, the Andean Region and the Amazon. The program includes three weeks of research and learning activities in the Galapagos, three weeks in the Amazon and a month and a half in Yachay Tech. During their stay on campus, students will be going on field trips in the Imbabura province. The program includes food, lodging and all necessary tools for students to perform their activities.

Aside from student exchange, the partnership between Partners of the Americas Tennessee and Yachay Tech pretends to promote exchange and cooperation between faculty members as well. This hopes to broaden possibilities for research for both, faculty of Yachay Tech and faculty of different universities of Tennessee. Both partners hope to be in continuous contact each year to propose new programs and improve the existing ones.

Partners of the Americas is an institution that seeks to mediate and promote strategic alliances between public and private institutions, NGOs, and institutions of higher education in America. The alliances that Partners promotes seek to expand possibilities for funding and promote changes in civil society.