Humber College Closes its First International Development Project in Latin America!

The 14-month (2022-2023) initiative was supported by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and managed by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) in the framework of its Pacific Alliance Education for Employment Program. Humber College led the project with supporting institutions, Cègep Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu (CSTJ) and Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB), and implementation partner, the Ministry of Education of Peru (MINEDU).

With support from Humber's Office of Research and Innovation, the consortium supported the implementation of digital fabrication laboratories (Fab-labs) in the 26 Technological Institutes of Excellence (IDEX) of Peru to ensure that the trainees developed the skillset they need for launching and strengthening the Fab-labs in 26 IDEX in Peru.

On March 22nd and 23rd, the consortium held the final training module for over 100 teachers. Camila Perez Pena from Humber's Office of Research and Innovation presented the results of Innovation360, the world-leading innovation measurement tool and database used to assess the innovation capacity of the 26 IDEX. These results helped the team identify gaps, prevent risks and create an efficient work plan that supports institutional capacities and relations while promoting a healthy culture of innovation. Jorge Montoya did a workshop on sustainability plans and change management. Juanita Perez, project lead, presented a toolbox created through the joint effort of Mauro Mazuera, María Lucia Linares and Andrea Beltran to assist and support the implementation of IDEX's fab-labs. The toolbox includes tips, Humber's Idea Labs' good practices, and a guide to writing project proposals.

Project partners also purchased and delivered 25 computers to each of the 25 Peruvian institutions. These computers will further implement and use digital fabrication and manufacturing in the IDEX fab-labs. Students, teachers, and faculty can use these machines to produce innovative solutions that address communities' social needs and challenges while fostering innovation, applied research, social inclusion and entrepreneurship.

The B.08.2 project has contributed to improving the education and learning experience for the students in Peru. Implementing fab-labs, change management courses, sustainability, gender and social inclusion can expand opportunities for students to enter the job market, contributing to the development in the 26 regions across the country.?

Ruber Torres, Teacher at IESTP?Suiza, Ucayali: "To thank each of you for sharing with us these great things that will help us teach students. I feel very pleased and grateful, and I hope that this course will help us to be better, improve each day and share this knowledge with our students in the future. Thank you."

Eriberto Guerrero Mateo, Teacher at IESTP CAP. FAP. José Abelardo Qui?ones, Tumbes: "In my capacity as a teacher of this IDEX, I want to thank you for the teachings in this training, which helps us realize the importance of the relationships and connections between institutions, society, the industry, and the community. We have realized that if the state unites with the industry, we can innovate, and generate new technologies, meeting those needs that perhaps once were forgotten. I thank you very much from Tumbes, and we hope always be in contact."?

Elmer Gines Choque, Teacher, IESTP José Antonio Encinas, Puno: "I share the feelings of my colleagues; I join them in gratitude. It was a very innovative, flattering experience, particularly for me because it is the first opportunity, I have with technology related to Fab Labs, to be part of that great community of global makers. In that sense we as an institution are very committed to being able to develop new things and to to be able to make our Fab Lab sustainable over time. It is about planning all aspects related to the proper maintenance and optimized use of the Fab Lab. A plan that contemplates the consumables used by 3D printers, the maintenance of these while keeping in mind that in a not-too-distant future the equipment will become obsolete and that is why we must think about its replacement.?We have a sustainability plan with the community, and we have created a fund for the use of Fab Labs that commits the community to join with which we can achieve the sustainability of the Fab Lab. The toolbox is a fundamental contribution because it will help us as a team so that we can resort to it, and we can just reach the entire community and give them access. I am grateful, it will be very adequate support for us to walk further. The other aspect is that the entire community of the Republic of Peru and the 26 IDEX do not lose contact, we are always connected, the network of Fab Lab of Peru is a reality. Thank you so much."?

Alejandro Llalle, Specialist of the Directorate of Education of the Libertad Province: "Thank you for all the support you have been giving us for the past 14 months, specifically last year with all the experiences and fundamental pillars that have been very important to learn since we have much to do. Let us put everything we have learned into practice this year within the regions. This Fab Lab workshop serves for the development of the various study programs that we have at IDEX. Additionally, this type of technology is not exclusively for IDEX but for all the institutions of our region to be able to motivate and raise awareness in the community. Above all, this will help our young students to wake up and see that it is possible to innovate.?I believe that great changes are coming for our nation, especially for technical higher education, which will depend a lot on our intentions. Thank you very much, I feel very honoured, satisfied, and grateful for everything I have learned in this international-level training."

Thank you to Global Affairs Canada, Colleges and Institutes Canada, MINEDU, Cègep Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu (CSTJ), Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB) and Humber Research and Innovation for your support, effort and knowledge throughout this project. It has empowered teachers and students, connected industry partners, advanced the sustainable development goals and created a spirit of collaboration to foster innovation through digital fabrication at the 26 IDEX of Peru and within the community.

Another thank you to Mauro Mazuera, María Lucia Linares and Andrea Beltran for their support and efforts in conducting research in Humber’s Idea Labs, translating documents, logistics and coordination.

To learn more about the project's major milestones and highlights, visit https://idiprojects.ca/.