News
By Joe Lucero, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH)
In a collaborative effort to strengthen innovation management and foster connections between universities and the private sector, representatives from Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH) participated in an academic research stay at Universidad del Rosario in Bogotá, Colombia, from October 21 to November 1. This initiative, part of the project “Fostering Innovation Management and University Business Linkages at Higher Education Institutions – iN4iN LATAM Chapter”, brought together leading academic institutions from Germany, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Peru, creating a platform for shared learning and innovative exchange.
A key aspect of the visit was the exploration of the UR STEAM Lab, a state-of-the-art facility spanning over 1,700 square meters. This innovative hub houses specialized spaces such as a Shopper Lab, for analyzing consumer behavior; a Branding Lab, equipped with Eye Tracking technology to monitor visual engagement; and Face Coding Technology, for analyzing emotional reactions to digital and print media. The Experience Lab stands out for hosting Latin America’s largest and most advanced Gesell Chamber (a one-way mirror observation room) used for human behavior analysis, sensory perception studies, and communication research. The chamber is complemented by two additional spaces: one for academic instruction and another for business services, highlighting its adaptability for diverse applications. Other facilities include a Smart Logistics Lab, a scaled production plant incorporating Industry 4.0 technologies, and makerspaces with 3D printers for prototyping and fostering creativity.
This innovative environment inspired the UPCH team to consider how similar spaces could be adapted to their context, particularly to enhance interdisciplinary innovation in health sciences and education.
The experience was further enriched through participation in the Innovation course led by Professor Aglaya Batz, which introduced students to global innovation systems and practices from various countries. This session underscored the potential for adapting these models to meet Peru’s specific needs, especially in the field of healthcare, offering insights into the design of scalable and context-sensitive solutions.
Collaboration opportunities were also explored during discussions between Juan Camilo Sánchez, Head of Internationalization at the Faculty of Management at Universidad del Rosario, and Karin Vargas, Director of Academic Programs at UPCH. Topics included the potential for implementing Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects, joint virtual classrooms, and executive education programs tailored to Peru’s healthcare landscape. These initiatives aim to leverage UPCH’s expertise as a leader in the sector, creating impactful educational offerings.
In addition, UPCH representatives Miguel Mendoza, Head of the Development and Research Management Unit at the Graduate School, and Joe Lucero, Coordinator of Innovation and Foresight at the Graduate School, visited Universidad del Rosario’s Graduate School of Business (GSB) to learn about their strategies for executive education. These insights will contribute to UPCH’s efforts to enhance its graduate programs, addressing the needs of professionals in key sectors with innovative and strategic approaches.
The research stay highlighted the value of international collaboration, particularly in ongoing projects involving Colombia, Costa Rica, and Germany. These partnerships, including research on circular economy practices, demonstrate the potential of shared expertise to address pressing global and regional challenges.
This immersive experience solidified UPCH’s dedication to innovation an
d collaboration, opening doors for transformative educational and research initiatives that respond to Peru’s evolving needs in healthcare and beyond.
