CIICATI 2026 brought together researchers from 12 universities and research centers to discuss audiovisual communication and emerging technologiesESPOL, through FADCOM and in collaboration with REDPRO, held the 5th CIICATI 2026 International Congress on November 5, 2026, at the STEM building, in a hybrid format, with 12 participating institutions and 36 presentations. Following the opening remarks by Nayeth Solórzano and Paola Ulloa-López, a panel on audiovisual communication and emerging technologies took place, along with concurrent research sessions, and the event concluded with a lecture by Juan Pablo Sotomayor on the responsible use of artificial intelligence.
Teachers from the Fe y Alegría Educational Unit participated in a sublimation workshop at FADCOMHigh school teachers from the Fe y Alegría Fiscomisional Educational Unit (“La 40”) and Vice Rector Pinchevsky visited FADCOM on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, as part of Phase 4 of the “Popular Graphic Visual Narratives for Learning” project. They participated in a hands-on sublimation workshop led by Franklin Guadalupe and toured the facilities. The initiative, led by Mónica Robles, aimed to familiarize teachers with graphic production techniques and strengthen ties with the educational community.
Nebrija University invites FADCOM students to take part in the AdN 2027 International University Short Film FestivalFADCOM welcomed a delegation from Nebrija University (Spain), which presented the AdN 2027 International University Short Film Festival and invited students on the Media Production course to take part. The partnership is coordinated by Ronald Villafuerte from International Mobility. The festival, the oldest university short film festival in Spain, will take place on 6 May 2027 at the Callao Cinemas in Madrid, with Ecuador as the guest country. Short films can be submitted until 1 March 2027, and there are awards for Best Short Film from the Guest Country and Best Ibero-American Short Film.
José Luis Castro presents the ‘Alquimia Plástica’ project at the University of Palermo’s International Design WeekJosé Luis Castro, MSc, Communications Analyst at FADCOM-ESPOL, took part in International Design Week at the University of Palermo, Argentina, where he presented the Alquimia Plástica initiative and the Tapatón 2026 campaign. The initiative brought together more than 1,000 members of the polytechnic community and collected 475 kilograms of plastic bottle caps, promoting the circular economy, environmental awareness and the development of reusable materials for academic purposes. He also took part in discussions on design education, virtual learning and artificial intelligence, and held meetings aimed at exploring opportunities for international academic cooperation.
FADCOM offers insights into strategic design and urban resilience in GuayaquilProfessor María Gabriela Chica, from FADCOM-ESPOL, took part as a panellist in the discussion forum ‘Climate Change, Smart Mobility and Urban Resilience’, held on 20 October 2026 in Guayaquil, as part of the ETCM-IHTC 2026 Mobility AI Challenge & Hackathon. During the event, participants analysed the urban challenges associated with the El Niño phenomenon and discussed the importance of strategic design, technology and urban planning in identifying vulnerable areas, protecting essential services and reducing risks in the event of emergencies. The event promoted the exchange of knowledge and reflection on innovative solutions to build more resilient cities.
FADCOM students are developing display proposals for Prisma IV EditionOn 22 October 2026, Graphic Design and Product Design students from FADCOM-ESPOL took part in Prisma IV Edition, a challenge organised in collaboration with the company POSCA to design retail displays. The event brought together five teams who combined expertise from both disciplines to propose creative and innovative solutions. The winning team stood out for a proposal centred on interactivity at the point of sale, which was selected for evaluation and possible implementation by POSCA. The experience strengthened interdisciplinary work, creativity and the practical application of knowledge in collaboration with the business sector.
FADCOM students present an exhibition inspired by LEGO-style figures in San MarinoStudents from FADCOM-ESPOL are presenting the ‘Legoman-inspired’ exhibition at the San Marino Shopping Centre from 23 October to 7 November 2026. Under the guidance of lecturer Da He Park, students on the Design Theory course are reimagining LEGO-inspired figures through original costumes, poses and compositions, applying design concepts and exploring creativity and visual expression.
FADCOM strengthens its international profile at the NASAD meetingA delegation from FADCOM–ESPOL took part in the 82nd NASAD Annual Meeting in the United States to exchange experiences on curricular innovation, artificial intelligence, academic quality and links with industry, with a view to strengthening education in art and design.
Lourdes Pilay presents research on the ornamentation of Guayaquil’s heritage architectureLourdes Pilay, Ph.D., a lecturer at FADCOM, presented a research paper on the ornamentation found in Guayaquil’s heritage architecture and its value as an expression of identity and visual memory. The study highlights graphic design as a tool for promoting its preservation and cultural dissemination.
Michael Arce Sierra presents research on children’s stories using augmented reality at TICEC 2026Michael Arce Sierra, M.Sc., a lecturer in Graphic Design at FADCOM–ESPOL, presented research at TICEC 2026 on the educational potential of interactive children’s stories using 3D augmented reality, exploring new forms of interaction and learning through emerging technologies.