The Natural Resources Biotechnology major at UPS-Quito celebrated its 10th anniversary with academic and cultural events such as conferences, an open house, a photography competition and a formal meeting.

The conferences evolved around the topic of "Biotechnology: experiences in Ecuador" and the aim was to disseminate current information in the field of biotechnology in the country. 
The speakers were experts in the field of biotechnology who came from several universities and research centers such as: Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE), Universidad Central del Ecuador (UCE), Universidad de las Américas (UDLA), Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USF-Q), Universidad Internacional SEK (SEK), Universidad Técnica de Ambato (UTA), Instituto Nacional de Investigación en Salud Pública (INSPI-Guayaquil), Instituto Nacional de Investigación en Salud Pública (INSPI-Quito), Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIAP).

These are some of the topics that were discussed: "From Cytogenetcs to genomics: Experiences in Ecuador", "Outbreak of Dengue and Chikunguña in Ecuador", Transgenics in Ecuador", "Application of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement in plants", "The use of biotech in making bread and pastas with the use of native cereals", and "The compilation of research for the assessment of biodiversity at UPS".

On November 6th, to end the event, there was an open house held in the research laboratories where people learned about innovations in biotechnology. The following high schools from this city attended the open house: Colegio Manuela Cañizares, Sagrados Corazones, Técnico Don Bosco, Colegio Andino and SEK de Los Valles. These were some of the projects presented during the open house: natural lotions, cultivation, alcoholic fermentation of grape and naranjilla , cheese production and vegans as alternative food , industrial production of beer, extraction of essential oil for making perfumes, obtain extracts clarified from chamburo and papaya proteolytic activities , obtaining natural pigments and extraction from spinach, description of microscopic morphology in the Nostoc community from the Pichincha province, and others. 

In the photography competition, 20 photographs, chosen according to the topic of "Life Sciences", showed students' creativity to promote biotechnology through art. 
The formal meeting was held at 4pm in one of the university's meeting rooms; the committee at the main table was made up by Armando Romero, former vice president at the university, Diana Calero, faculty director; Paco Noriega, professor and founder of this major; Marcelo Farfán, director of the Pastoral department; Lenin Ramírez graduate, and Vanesa Vaca, student body president.

During this meeting they briefly presented the history of the major which was created on September 19th, 2005 and began with only 40 students. Since then it has grown sustainably and currently has over 450 students. 

Another topic during the event was that of professors' who hold PhD degrees, research groups, the participation of professors and students in national and international conferences and well as having 23 articles published in indexed journals.Some of the challenges this major is currently facing is accreditation, improving its level compared to other renowned institutions and to continue its commitment with society.

To event came to close with a performance from the university's Ecuadorian music group led by professor Johny Sanchez. The winners of the photograpy competition were:

-    1st place: Lucia Maldonado 
-    2nd palce: Ronald Toapanta y David Toapanta
-    3rd place: Andrea Bravo