Bioethics Congress is held at the UDA

The University of Azuay hosted the International University Congress of Bioethics (CIUB) from Wednesday 3 to Friday 5 in October. The event was attended by exhibitors and participants who arrived from Brazil, the United States, Argentina, Uruguay and from different parts of Ecuador.

Bioethics is a branch of study that has gained relevance in the academic world in recent years, because it highlights the importance of moral analysis in its connection with science, technology and culture.

For this reason, the University of Azuay has sought to address the study of bioethics within their classrooms by conducting activities related to this topic.

According to Juan Morales, organizer of the congress and head of the Chair of Bioethics at the University, "the objective is to sensitize the university community, and the community in general, about the need to have a moral element when dealing with scientific and technological issues ".

The first day of the congress began on the morning of the 3 in October with a performance starring the students of the Theater Arts career. This act was held in the recently remodeled courtyard of the Campus, outside the General Auditorium.

Subsequently, he began the formal act of inauguration of the congress with the speech of Francisco Salgado, Rector of the University of Azuay, who welcomed the event and highlighted the joint work of the four Cuenca universities for the meeting.

"We are not four separate parts of universities, but we are one university," said the Rector of the UDA and added: "It was the joint effort of the universities of Cuenca that allows us to greet with speakers who will nourish us with their wisdom as over these three days. "

Susana María Vidal, specialist of the Program for Latin America and the Caribbean in Bioethics and Ethics of Science of UNESCO, also took part in the opening ceremony, affirming that UNESCO's objective in relation to bioethics consists in "opening the academy to the society and public debates to discuss issues as relevant as this congress. "

During three days, the participants attended a series of forums and nine round tables that dealt with topics such as bioethics in their relationship with society and bioethics seen from the point of view of law.

There were also four lectures, given by Vidal; Roque Junges, professor at the Universidad del Valle del Sinos in Brazil; Victor Penchaszadeh, doctor specialized in pediatrics, medical genetics, public health and bioethics; and Juan Morales.

In addition to the purely academic activities, the participants of the meeting could also enjoy cultural events such as the gala concert of the La Tuna group of the University, which was held on Thursday night in the auditorium, as well as the presentation of the work "History of a soldier "of the Theater and Dance Company of the UDA.

On the last day of the congress, the University Council of the University of Azuay, chaired by Rector Salgado, named Paul Little's Honorary Professor of the Institution, a doctor who was recognized for his career as an academic and for his human qualities.