Sea of Cortez Forum and universities promote a Technological Observatory for the region

Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur

The Autonomous University of Baja California Sur (UABCS) inaugurated the state's first Center for Innovation and Technological Development. Its goal is to promote projects in clean energy, marine biotechnology, and digital entrepreneurship.

In an effort to make the Sea of Cortez a national benchmark for innovation, science, and sustainable development, the Sea of Cortez Forum and five public universities signed the creation of the Technological Observatory of the Scientific, Academic, and Business Corridor in Ensenada. This platform will articulate academic knowledge, the productive sector, and public policies in areas such as renewable energy, marine biotechnology, water management, and the circular economy. The project seeks to strengthen collaboration and trust between academia and business to generate structural change in the region.

The civil society organization Foro Mar de Cortés and the five leading public universities in the region joined forces to create the Technological Observatory of the Scientific, Academic, and Business Corridor. This initiative, signed in Ensenada on April 12 and created with the goal of promoting sustainable development and making the Sea of Cortés region a benchmark in science, technology, and innovation, links civil society with five prominent public universities: the Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC); Autonomous University of Baja California Sur (UABCS); Autonomous University of Nayarit (UAN); Autonomous University of Sinaloa (UAS); and the University of Sonora (Unison).

These institutions will join forces to create a platform that connects academic knowledge with the productive sector and public policies.

The document was signed by Dr. Mario Nieves Soto, representing Dr. Jesús Madueña Molina, Rector of the UAS; Dr. Dante Arturo Salgado González, Rector of the UABCS; Radamés Díaz Meza, Executive President of the Sea of Cortez Forum; Dr. Luis Enrique Palafox Maestre, Rector of the UABC; Dr. Norma Liliana Galván Meza, Rector of the UAN; and Dr. María Rita Plancarte Martínez, Rector of Unison.

Radamés Díaz Meza, Executive President of Foro Mar de Cortés, emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between academia and business to achieve true structural change, which requires one key word: trust.

“We often see a disconnect from the business world with the academic world, and we need to build a little more connection. No one does anything with someone they don't know. The first thing we need to do is get to know each other, connect, and foster trust between us, so we can take baby steps and do small things together. Then we'll do great things together.”

He considered that the potential for development and prosperity in the Sea of Cortez begins with data generation, but technical analysis that allows for understanding the current state of affairs is lacking, and this is because such a connection currently exists. Díaz Meza therefore called on universities to identify five priority projects at each institution, with the goal of presenting them at the upcoming Sea of Cortez Forum Summit in November, and seeking funding.

“We have no agenda other than the pursuit of well-being for all and the idea of being able to talk, communicate, and build sustainable, long-term relationships. That's what we want, and to achieve great things, we must trust each other. We must build relationships and do things together, whether a few or many, but we must do things together, not just signing a piece of paper.”

Dr. Luis Enrique Palafox Maestre, Rector of the UABC and host of the event, emphasized that the Observatory represents one of the projects with the greatest social, economic, and environmental impact in the northwest of the country. He explained that this collaboration between universities seeks to overcome the isolation between sectors and foster innovation from a pentahelical perspective: academia, business, government, society, and the environment.

The Technological Observatory will be a strategic center for analysis, monitoring, and technological innovation, working in key areas such as renewable energy, marine biotechnology, water management, agribusiness, and environmental sustainability.

The signing of the agreement consolidates an inter-institutional alliance aimed at addressing the critical challenges of the Sea of Cortez, so that this region becomes not only a natural jewel of Mexico, but also an epicenter of innovation, sustainability, and scientific collaboration serving the development and prosperity of its inhabitants. The strategic axes are: Technological Surveillance and Competitive Intelligence; Knowledge Transfer, Technology, and Innovation; Strategic Linkage and Collaboration: Sustainability and the Circular Economy; and Scientific and Technological Training and Dissemination.