Laserfiche WebLink
V <br />CRBRRRUS <br />C O U H T v c v e <br />Media Coverage November <br />2012 <br />"I think the wealth of Ecuador is still not discovered," Cely said, "and it does not reside in <br />the oil that we have. It is among our biodiversity. We do have rainforests. I think the <br />cure for cancer and so many diseases may be there. We just need to discover it." <br />One of the centerpieces of Yachay is the new Scientific Experimental University of <br />Ecuador. <br />After touring the Rowan- Cabarrus Community College Biotechnology Training Center at <br />the Kannapolis campus, Cely said the delegation was impressed by the idea of offering <br />two -year biotechnology degree programs as an additional education option. <br />"In our city, we'll have a top university with Ph.D.'s and master's degrees, but we never <br />thought about also having two -year degrees in biotechnology," she said. "That is <br />something we learned today that we really like." <br />The North Carolina Research Campus represents the type of economic change that <br />Correa is pursuing in Ecuador with investments in science, technology and education. <br />"From this town dedicated to textiles to moving forward to more knowledge -based <br />activities," Cely said, "that is something that brought us here. It is fascinating to see how <br />you have done it in a systematic way." <br />Looking ahead, Correa confirmed his hope for an alliance with the Kannapolis campus <br />that could lead to research collaborations and scientific and academic exchanges <br />beginning as early as 2013. <br />"You wouldn't think that Ecuador and the NCRC in Kannapolis have anything in <br />common," said Lynn Scott Safrit, president of the research campus. "Yet we both have <br />strong leadership, dedicated champions, investment, a transitioning economy and, we <br />discovered today, very similar research interests. <br />"So we are very excited to form new collaborations, especially international <br />collaborations like this one, because the mission of the campus is not only for our <br />community but for the world. We're looking forward to collaborations with scientists from <br />Ecuador that will generate new and great discoveries." North Carolina Research <br />Campus <br />5 <br />Attachment number 3 <br />1 -2 Page 208 <br />