Academics4Impact
Celebrating the Transformative Power of Collaboration in Lima
Day 1 | 27 May 2024: Alumni Session - Impact of Scholarships
The first session of the event began on an inspiring note. Alumni from ITM, ARES, and VLIR-UOS programmes in the Andean region shared their experiences, highlighting the impact of scholarships on sustainable development and professional growth.
Marcela Losantos (PhD, UCB & VUB), Paul Herrera (PhD, ESPOL & UGhent), and Fabian Leon Tamariz (PhD, UCuenca & KU Leuven) joined us as co-panellists and participants in the alumni discussions.
Dionicia B. Gamboa Vilela, an ITM alumna from the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Peru, remarked, ‘We could be the voice of the Belgian cooperation through South-South cooperation,’ emphasising the need for greater coordination to amplify future impact.
We were honoured to have ICP Connect alumna Susan Paredes, currently a member of UNAP and a PhD student involved in the TEAM-project, as the presenter of thissession. Ms. Paredes studied the ICP Connect Master of Epidemiology at the University of Antwerp.
Watch her testimonial here: International women's day 2024
Day 2 | 28 May 2024: Thematic discussions
Day two of the "Academics 4 Impact" event featured thematic discussions led by experts, emphasizing our commitment to progress and the potential for positive change through collaboration.
Thematic Session 1 - Sustainable Development
In the first thematic session of day two, we reflected on the significance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the academic community. For VLIR-UOS, the principles of Interconnectedness, Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships, and Leave No One Behind are integral to our operations.
Marcela Losantos Velasco from Universidad Católica Boliviana, La Paz, joined as a presenter and panellist, sharing her experience and expertise.
The session included a reflective discussion on the main opportunities and constraints for academic cooperation in supporting the SDGs in the region. Other topics covered were strategies for gender-inclusive interventions and the importance of inclusive knowledge management with local communities.
Watch the recording of this session here:
Thematic Session 2 - Institutional Partnerships
The second session, focused on "Institutional Partnerships," is especially close to our heart. This discussion highlighted long-term institutional partnerships between Belgian and Andean higher education institutions (HEIs), showcasing examples before discussing the joint opportunities and challenges these partnerships present.
Paul Herrera (ESPOL, Ecuador), supported by Fabian Leon Tamariz (former IUC coordinator UCuenca, UCuenca Dean, former team member Network Biodiscovery and Natural Sciences), represented VLIR-UOS as presenters and panellists.
The closing discussion looked towards the future, addressing the evolution of partnerships over time, with key topics such as equity, mutual benefits, and capacity-strengthening approaches.
Watch the recording of this session here.
Thematic Session 3 - Global Health
The final session of the day centred on the joint opportunities and challenges of scientific support and collaboration in Global Health, with a focus on infectious diseases.
Viviana Pinedo, promoter of the TEAM project CeroMalaria and Laura 2.0 at Universidad de la Amazonia Peruana, along with PhD student Susan Paredes, joined the group of presenters and panellists representing VLIR-UOS.
This session examined the role of international cooperation in addressing health challenges in the Andean region. It explored synergies and opportunities for collaboration between international stakeholders and projects from ITM, VLIR-UOS, and ARES, offering recommendations for future academic partnerships between Andean and Belgian institutions in global health.
Watch the recording of this session here.
Turning Aspirations into Reality through Collaboration
The discussions and insights shared during these sessions underscored the collaborative efforts and commitment to addressing regional challenges through academic partnerships. By leveraging our networks and expertise, we aim to significantly contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fostering sustainable development and positive societal change.
Funded by the Belgian Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (DGD), our operations are part of a wider collaboration with ITM and ARES, under the thematic Joint Strategic Framework on Higher Education and Science for Sustainable Development.
Our shared goal is to enhance access to and exchange information on academic and scientific expertise across themes, disciplines, sectors, and geographic boundaries. We aspire to be the main gateway for other Belgian actors of non-governmental cooperation, governments, bilateral or multilateral actors, private companies, and civil society organisations.
To further fulfil this role, we have developed a joint website to pool together the available expertise within Belgian Higher Education and Science Institutions (HE&SIs). Check it out here!
Looking Forward
"Academics 4 Impact" highlighted the importance of continued collaboration and coordination to maximise the positive impacts of international academic cooperation. The connections and insights gained during this event will drive future achievements and reinforce our commitment to sustainable development and global health.
By prioritising inclusivity in our partnerships, we aim to build a more just and equitable global academic community, challenging historical power imbalances and amplifying marginalised voices. Together with our partners, VLIR-UOS is committed to fostering a brighter future. Our collaborative efforts are not only addressing today's challenges but also laying the foundations for sustained progress and inspiring the next generation of global changemakers.