Zapopan, Jalisco; April 27, 2026.— The Universidad Panamericana GuadalajaraUniversidad Panamericana is strengthening its research and innovation strategy in Jalisco through initiatives aimed at securing state and external funding, thereby consolidating its role within the region’s scientific and technological ecosystem.
As part of this initiative, the Office of the Vice President for Research (VGI) organized the institutional meeting Promoting Science and Innovation in Jalisco, an event focused on strengthening the competitiveness of its researchers and aligning their projects with state priorities.
UP Guadalajara promotes research
During the opening ceremony, Dr. Francisco Orozco, Vice Chancellor of the Guadalajara Campus, emphasized that securing external funding is key not only to sustainability but also as an indicator of scientific relevance:
“Our institutional strategy places particular emphasis on securing external funding. We don’t view this merely as an exercise in financial sustainability, but as a measure of our relevance. Securing external funding means that our research is relevant, that it solves problems, and that the outside world trusts in our ability to execute,” he said.
This approach positions the UP as an institution committed to applied research, technological innovation, and knowledge transfer.
Jalisco's Vision: Innovation with Social Impact and Competitiveness
To gain insight into the direction of science, innovation, and technological development in Jalisco, the session featured Larisa Cruz Ornelas, M.A., the state’s Director General of Science and Technological Development, who presented the state’s 2025–2030 strategy and emphasized:
- Jalisco ranks as the state with the second-highest number of researchers in Mexico within the National System of Researchers (SNI)
- State-level leadership in patent generation and technological innovation
- Building a competitive national scientific ecosystem
He also emphasized the role of the main financing and innovation instruments:
- FODECIJAL and PROINNJAL as key mechanisms for promoting strategic projects
- Implementation of the Triple Helix, which promotes collaboration among:
- Universities
- Companies
- End users (social and industrial sectors)
- Focus on projects that ensure a real impact on society and industry
- Priority for initiatives that address specific challenges in the business community
Strategic Partnerships: Research with Social Impact
Dr. Daniela Salgado, Director of Research at the Guadalajara campus, emphasized that dialogue with the government allows for better strategic guidance of research areas.
“Understanding the context in which we are called upon to conduct research […] helps us identify not only where the government’s efforts are headed, but also where, as a university, we can make the most meaningful and impactful contributions,” he emphasized.
This approach promotes purpose-driven research that is aligned with regional and national challenges.
Training on Grant Proposals
As part of the event, a specialized workshop was held on preparing proposals for COECYTJAL, a key agency in the funding of scientific projects in Jalisco.
This hands-on workshop was led by Dr. Leonardo Jesús Valdivia Parga, a researcher at the Universidad Panamericana extensive experience securing government funding for three consecutive years.
During this training session, Dr. Valdivia briefed the academics on key operational and administrative details, such as a thorough analysis of the “Terms of Reference,” the proper justification of the 25% institutional co-funding through research hours, and the rigorous methodology for documenting each Technology Readiness Level (TRL) required by the calls for proposals.
Ongoing support and planning
With the implementation of these supplementary workshops—which combine the state government’s strategic vision with specialized technical training—the Universidad Panamericana is strengthening its commitment to the development of its academic community.
Through the Office of the Vice President for Research (VGI) and the campus Research Office, the institution ensures that its researchers have the institutional support, technical tools, and strategic guidance necessary to:
- Access state and external funding
- Promote the development of patentable technology
- Develop high-impact research projects
In this way, the Universidad Panamericana actively Universidad Panamericana to strengthening the innovation ecosystem in Jalisco and to developing solutions that address the needs of the social and economic sectors.
