Tuesday, November 14, 2006
144-6

Program to Foment Agricultural-Industrial Research in Mexico: Textile, Cosmetology and Bioremediation.

Graciela Ruiz-aguilar and Gabriela Arroyo-Figueroa. Universidad de Guanajuato, UNESS, Salvatierra, GTO 38900, Mexico

The Southern part of the State of Guanajuato in Mexico has high agricultural activities and an increasing textile sector. These agricultural and industrial activities have led to irrational use of water and soil resources, and have resulted in deterioration of the soil and groundwater. Furthermore, the environmental problems of the region have worsened due to lack of modernized productive chains, and due to lack of link between the region and the educational institutions. Besides, this region has scarce trained human resources needed to apply the modernized biotechnological alternatives for the agricultural and textile industry. Thus, main interest of the Universidad de Guanajuato is to fulfill the trained human resource requirement of the region by fomenting the knowledge in the agricultural, cosmetic and industrial area. Social service programs have been developed by the University to incite student participation in areas of textile, cosmetology and bioremediation. Since the program was created 2.5 years ago, it has been possible to involve 23% of the students. Results from projects of the diverse areas have been presented in different meetings. Thus, it is expected that the dedication of the human resource to the scientific and technological research pertaining to the Guanajuato State will lead to the development of the region, and an increased interest in the region towards educational institutions. Furthermore, dedication of these trained students to the region along with reduction in migration of skilled workers from the region is not only likely to solve the problems and challenges faced by the south area of Guanajuato State but also improve in general quality of life of the people in the region. Overall, social service program initiated by professors from the University is likely to increase the number of research thesis and assist the students incorporate the technical knowledge through their daily activities.

Handout (.pdf format, 862.0 kb)

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