FADCOM promotes the internationalization of research through an academic program at Griffith University

On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, the School of Art, Design, and Audiovisual Communication (FADCOM) at ESPOL held an academic event at Griffith University’s Gold Coast campus, led by Georgina Manzano, M.Sc., a graduate of the first cohort of the Master’s in Art and Technology program at FADCOM-ESPOL. The purpose of this initiative was to strengthen international collaboration, highlight academic output, and generate new opportunities for joint research.

During the event, Manzano was invited by the Griffith Institute for Educational Research (GIER) to present her project “Affective Cartography of the Cenepa: An Approach Through the Video Essay.” The session, held in a hybrid format, provided an opportunity to share the study’s progress and foster academic dialogue, during which researchers from the Australian institution exchanged insights and explored the project’s methodological and conceptual approaches in greater detail.

This research was conducted as part of her graduate studies at FADCOM, under the supervision of Dr. Paola Ulloa López and Dr. Sarojni Choy, a professor at Griffith University, who also participated in the presentation. This initiative not only provided an opportunity to share findings but also helped position the faculty’s work on the international stage, highlighting its relevance to video-based and social studies.

As a result, the exchange generated interest among GIER researchers and helped strengthen inter-institutional ties, opening new opportunities for the development of collaborative projects.

In the afternoon, the agenda continued with a working meeting with Dr. Jessica Paynter, with whom the FADCOM research team is collaborating on the development of the MIDI MATH app, designed to teach mathematics through playful activities for children with autism.

During this meeting, the team explored the incorporation of haptic technology using ERM motors, evaluating its potential to enhance the user experience, and made progress on planning the joint academic calendar between the two institutions.

The visit to the Gold Coast campus is part of a broader program that will extend to the Nathan campus in Brisbane, where new academic activities will take place in the coming days.

Why is this program significant?
Because it reinforces internationalization as a strategic priority, strengthens applied research, and promotes the development of solutions with social impact, integrating art, technology, and education into global knowledge networks.