The project approved by the OCAD for the Pacific region, will be executed by the University of Cauca in coordination with the Royal KTH Institute of Technology in Stockholm (Sweden), and is part of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2016 by the Government of Cauca , KTH and the Alma Mater of the “Caucanos”

 

“Since the signing of that Memorandum, several cooperation activities have been carried out between KTH and the University of Cauca, including academic visits, research internships; however, the most relevant project of said alliance is the Center for Technological Development of Road Infrastructure, whose formulation took approximately three years,”said Alvaro Guarin Cobo, a graduate of the University of Cauca and currently a researcher and professor at KTH.

 

'Formation of a Technology Development Center for the Innovation of Road Infrastructure in the Department of Cauca ”is a project managed by the Government of Cauca (Óscar Rodrigo Campo Hurtado, former Governor) and KTH (Alvaro Guarín Cobo), which was approved for a value of $ 9,295,465,386, during the 70th session of the Collegiate Body for Administration and Decision, OCAD of the Science, Technology and Innovation Fund, FCTeI, of the General Royalty System, SGR that was held on December 31 of 2019.

 

The project, which was accompanied by the Office of the Vice President for Research and the Faculty of Civil Engineering, will benefit the University and the Department of Cauca and is the result of the work of the formulating team formed by Alvaro Guarín Cobo and the teachers of the Faculty of Engineering Civil of the University of Cauca, Fredy Eduardo López Daza and Jaime Rafael Obando Ante; thanks to the determined support of the president of the University of Cauca, José Luis Diago Franco and the rector of KTH, Sigbritt Karlsson.

 

The objective of the CDT Technological Development Center is to improve the capacity for technological development and applied research in generating new alternatives for the management of the tertiary road system in the department of Cauca, to reduce connectivity gaps in the different areas of the Department, through sustainable and innovative technological alternatives for road improvement.

 

A fundamental benefit for the University of Cauca will be the renovation of the geotechnical and pavement laboratory; Thanks to the project, the laboratory will be equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and technology to characterize road materials. The project also includes the execution of test sections for real-scale verification of various technical alternatives in the Department of Cauca.

 

“One of the most important contributions of KTH is to advise the University of Cauca on the gradual implementation of the Swedish innovation model, known as triple helix; which is based on the interaction between academia, industry and government; Three independent and complementary components. This methodology has been key to achieving a successful execution of projects in Sweden,” added the KTH researcher.

 

Likewise, the project includes a significant component of bilateral mobility between KTH and the University of Cauca, which will allow knowledge and technology transfer. In this way, students and professors will personally know and experience how research is carried out, the triple helix model, advanced laboratory methodologies for characterization of road materials, construction techniques and road maintenance, among other benefits that will directly affect the strengthening of the CDT. KTH will also accompany the University of Cauca in the process of implementing a doctoral program in Civil Engineering.

 

The University of Cauca will expect a high-level delegation of KTH during the first period of the year 2020 to begin the scheduled activities, which are expected to be executed over a period of 4 years.

 

More Info:

Office of the Vice President for Research

Telephone: 057 8209800 Ext. 2633

Email: vri@unicauca.edu.co