A new institutional approach opens the possibility of developing joint projects and initiatives to benefit the communities of the Los Santos district. Representatives from the Metropolitan University of Education, Science and Technology (UMECIT) and the Los Santos Mayor's Office held a meeting to explore the feasibility of establishing a Framework Cooperation Agreement between the two institutions.

The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss potential areas for joint work and how the University's academic, scientific, and professional capabilities can be aligned with the needs and priorities of the region.

The proposal envisions that a future agreement could become a tool for developing projects, programs, community events, training activities, applied research, innovation, entrepreneurship, volunteering, and university social responsibility initiatives.

In this way, the aim is to bring university knowledge closer to the communities and generate initiatives that contribute both to strengthening municipal management and to the well-being of the population.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Mayor of Los Santos, Zuleyka Salado; Ms. Zaira Córdoba, legal advisor to the Mayor of Los Santos; Ms. Yelitza González, National Director of Extension and Social Linkage of UMECIT; and Ms. Anielka Samaniego, Coordinator of Extension and Social Linkage and Research of the Chitré Campus.

Areas that could be part of this cooperation include local development, social inclusion, community strengthening, entrepreneurship, education, culture, the environment, and the well-being of the population.

For UMECIT, the connection with the territories allows the creation of spaces where students, teachers, researchers, graduates and specialized teams can contribute their knowledge and, at the same time, participate in experiences connected with the realities and needs of the communities.

This first meeting will allow us to continue identifying common interests and advance in building a cooperation agenda with a view to the possible signing of a Framework Cooperation Agreement between UMECIT and the Mayor's Office of Los Santos.

The initiative is part of the institutional commitment to strengthen the relationship between university and society, promoting alliances capable of turning knowledge into opportunities and concrete actions for the development of communities.