The university's branch campus in Cuenca held a meeting which was organized by the Interculturality and Ancestral Knowledge Research Group, to discuss its project titled "Farmacia Ancestral" or Ancestral Pharmacy. Professors presented the results of their studies to students from several majors.

Professors Fredi Portilla, from the environmental engineering undergraduate program and current coordinator of this project, spoke about the effects of climate change in several parts of the world and how different types of medicinal plants help take care of the environment.

Noemi Bottasso, researcher and whose project allowed the creation of the Ancestral Pharmacy, explained the creation of this project from its beginnings, she talked about how they prepared the land where they planted the medicinal plants and how students were instructed about the plants. "This project has generated awareness in students on taking care of the environment", said professor Bottasso.

Finally, Mama Delfa, an expert on ancestral medicine spoke about the benefits of medicinal plants on people's health.

Victoria Jara, coordinator of the Interculturality and Ancestral Knowledge Research Group and the director of the Education majors in UPS's branch campus in Cuenca, highlighted the importance of transmitting all this knowledge not only to students but to the entire community, therefore they are currently working on a multimedia catalog about medicinal plants. 

Learn more about the Ancestral Pharmacy project