The university's branch campus in Quito started a new semester on October 12th and because of the health emergency it is being done online. However, the national committee in charge of the health emergency has authorized that the university open its laboratories and allow 30% of its capacity to be used by following biosecurity measures. 

The Communication undergraduate program has welcomed students since October 26. The laboratories that are currently in use are the Audiovisual and Sound Narratives, where students practice sound, news writing, photography and video. "So far, 37 students out of the 58 who registered have attended in the morning and afternoon. Some classes are held outdoors, others in the control and speech booth, there are individual spaces to avoid crowds", explained Narcisa Medranda, director of the undergraduate program. 

The Electronics and Automation and Electricity programs also opened their laboratories on November 10. Student attendance was organized according to a schedule. "The return plan for students was reviewed and approved by authorities and all biosafety measures are being met," said Ramón Pérez, director of the Electronics and Automation program.

The following laboratories have been opened: Industry 4.0, MPS, Robotics, Control Theory, Hydraulics and Analog Electronics. The Electricity undergraduate program opened the Electrical Machines, High Voltage, Motor Machines, Automation and Power Electronics laboratories, which allow students to do AC and DC measurement practices in extra high voltage, electrical breakdown, short circuit and open circuit tests, PC-PLC interface, direct motor starting through PLC's and voltage source design.

"The purpose is to minimize risks, therefore, we chose a number of practices determined by levels that we consider important to complement learning. Students receive several sessions in a single day," explained Alexander Águila, director of the Electricity program.

These labs will also be used by Mechatronics, Mechanics and Telecommunications students. Germán Arévalo, director of the Telecommunications program, said that the Telecommunications Fundamentals and Telecommunications Research laboratories will open in February 2021.

With the opening of these laboratories, students will be able to carry out their practices in applied programming, digital communications, transmission lines, antennas, wireless communications, optical communications, and computer networks.

"The practices will be done at different times and regular class dates will not be affected. In these laboratories students of 8th, 9th and 10th level of Electronic Engineering will also carry out their practices and from January 2021, the program will have a new Fiber Optic Communications Laboratory", stated Arévalo. In the following months, laboratories will be gradually enabled.