Academic Collaborations
for Impact
Partnering with Ecuadorian Universities to Advance Research, Education, and Health Equity
The Harriet Joyce Foundation (HJF) has entered into two landmark academic collaboration agreements in Ecuador, each designed to advance research, education, and healthcare innovation through strategic partnerships with the country’s leading universities.
The first academic agreement, signed with Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil (UCSG) on December 7, 2024, focuses on strengthening education, research, and community health engagement. Through this collaboration, HJF and UCSG will jointly support internships, academic training, and biomedical research across areas including newborn screening, pediatrics, environmental health, and chronic disease management.
The second agreement was signed with Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) on April 2, 2025. This partnership focuses on developing joint research initiatives in areas such as public health, disease prevention, and artificial intelligence in medicine. The agreement establishes a framework for coordinated scientific collaboration, allowing both institutions to share expertise and pursue projects that align with Ecuador’s national health priorities.
Together, these academic partnerships provide significant strategic advantages for the Harriet Joyce Foundation. They offer access to local expertise and talent, enhancing HJF’s ability to co-develop and deploy solutions tailored to Ecuador’s healthcare landscape. The collaborations also expand the Foundation’s research capacity in critical fields such as AI-powered clinical tools, environmental health, nutrition, and genetic screening. By investing in academic training, HJF is helping to build a sustainable, locally grounded healthcare workforce. Moreover, these university relationships foster a pipeline for innovation, enabling ethical testing and validation of technologies in academic and clinical settings. Through these academic affiliations, the Foundation is better positioned to drive measurable public health impact, reduce healthcare inequity, and strengthen its institutional presence in Ecuador with full regulatory and academic compliance.