Zamorano University conducted an official visit to Ecuador led by its president, Jeff Cohen, with the objective of strengthening institutional relationships, expanding opportunities for students, and consolidating strategic partnerships that contribute to the development of the agricultural sector across the region.
The Zamorano University delegation included Jeff Cohen, President; Alejandro Osorio, Director of Institutional Development; Adolfo Mariscal, Representative in Ecuador; and Robert Watson, Member of the Board of Trustees.
Throughout the visit, the delegation engaged with government authorities, educational institutions, partner organizations, agribusiness leaders, and members of the Zamorano alumni community in Ecuador.
Collaboration with the Agribusiness Sector
As part of the visit, Zamorano University signed a cooperation agreement with Ingenio San Juan, one of Ecuador’s leading agribusiness companies. The partnership aims to promote internships, applied research projects, and experiential learning opportunities for students, strengthening the connection between academic training and the productive sector.
Meeting with Ecuadorian Youth
The delegation also visited Escuela Saminay – El Legado in Otavalo, where they met with students and educational leaders to share Zamorano’s educational model and explore opportunities for more Ecuadorian youth to access a transformative, hands-on education based on the Learning-by-Doing philosophy.
Academic Partnership with ESPAM MFL
One of the most significant milestones of the visit was the signing of an institutional cooperation agreement with the Escuela Superior Politécnica Agropecuaria de Manabí Manuel Félix López (ESPAM MFL).
Representing ESPAM MFL were Dr. C. Ángel Guillermo Félix Mendoza, President; Dr. C. Sofía Velásquez, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research; and Dr. C. Gabriel Navarrete Schettini, Vice President for Outreach and Student Affairs.
The agreement will foster student and faculty exchanges, collaborative research initiatives, academic strengthening, and new opportunities for agricultural youth throughout the region.
During the ceremony, President Cohen emphasized the transformative role of agricultural universities in Latin America:
"What agricultural universities do is transform lives by providing students with education, discipline, ethics, and dreams."
Meeting with the President of Ecuador
As part of the official agenda, Jeff Cohen met with President Daniel Noboa to explore opportunities for cooperation in education, agricultural development, and human capital formation. The meeting was attended by Robert Watson, Member of the Board of Trustees, and Juan Carlos Vega Malo, Ecuador’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock and a member of Zamorano Class of 1994.
The discussion focused on opportunities to strengthen agricultural education and contribute to the sustainable development of the region.
Wilson Popenoe Foundation Reinforces Scholarship Support
The visit also included meetings with the Wilson Popenoe Foundation, a long-standing Zamorano partner in Ecuador for more than four decades.
During the meeting, the Foundation renewed its commitment to supporting future generations through a new contribution to Zamorano’s scholarship program, expanding educational opportunities for Ecuadorian students.
Engagement with the Zamorano Alumni Community
The visit included several gatherings with Zamorano alumni organized in partnership with the Asociación de Zamoranos del Litoral.
During these events, Rector Cohen shared his vision for the future of Zamorano University and highlighted the critical role alumni play as ambassadors of the institution’s unique educational model. The activities also included the formalization of a scholarship agreement with the Wilson Popenoe Foundation, represented by its president, Eng. Juan Álvaro Trujillo.
Visit to MARS Global Cacao Research Center
The delegation visited Hacienda La Chola, MARS’ global cacao research center in Ecuador, where they learned about ongoing research, innovation, and knowledge-transfer initiatives designed to improve productivity and sustainability among smallholder producers.
Partnership with the Junta de Beneficencia de Guayaquil
Zamorano University also signed a cooperation agreement with the Junta de Beneficencia de Guayaquil, one of Ecuador’s most prominent social and educational institutions. The agreement will expand scholarship opportunities for students from the organization’s schools and support joint efforts to strengthen agricultural technical education in Ecuador through Zamorano’s Learning-by-Doing model.
Media Outreach
As part of the institutional agenda, President Cohen participated in an interview with Radio Sucre, where he shared Zamorano University’s vision, highlighted the outcomes of the visit, and discussed opportunities for continued collaboration between Ecuador and the institution.
Strengthening the Future of Agriculture in Latin America
The official visit strengthened strategic partnerships with educational institutions, development organizations, agribusiness companies, government leaders, and the Ecuadorian Zamorano alumni community.
Through these engagements, Zamorano University continues to expand its presence in Ecuador and reaffirm its commitment to developing leaders who will transform agriculture across Latin America through education, innovation, research, and the Learning-by-Doing philosophy.
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