RIUCI bamboo News

1st International Bamboo Congress as part of the 8th UTM International Scientific Convention 2024

From October 21 to 25, 2024, the 8th International Scientific Convention of Universidad Técnica de Manabí (UTM) was held in a hybrid format, open to the public. As part of this event, on October 23 and 24, the 1st International Bamboo Congress took place, with the participation of researchers from various countries who presented papers and research findings related to bamboo.

During the congress, innovative contributions were shared, addressing topics such as materials and sustainable construction, environment, food, health, and the development of bamboo-derived products. The event established itself as an international reference point for knowledge exchange in this field.

Check here some of the presentations

On April 3, 2024, the Second General Assembly of the International Network of Universities and Research Centers related to Bamboo (RIUCI Bamboo) was held virtually. By that time, the Network included 50 member institutions from 14 countries across Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Europe. The Assembly was attended by delegates from 34 institutions representing 13 countries, who reviewed the current status of the Network, approved the 2023 activity report, and endorsed the 2024 Annual Operational Plan (AOP).

During the Assembly, progress made in the Network’s three main focus areas—knowledge generation, exchange, and management—was presented. Highlights included updating the digital research repository, consolidating the members’ directory, and improving the Network’s website. The 2024 AOP was unanimously approved, reaffirming the institutions’ commitment to strengthening RIUCI Bamboo.

Among the main agreements, participants decided to hold regular annual meetings, promote extraordinary meetings when necessary, ensure active participation of members in working groups, share the updated contact directory, and organize an in-person or hybrid gathering before the end of 2024, in connection with relevant regional events.

INBAR convened a series of webinars with the International Network of Universities and Research Centers (RIUCI bamboo) to share the latest advances in bamboo knowledge occurring in Latin America.

From February 22 to 24, the First Cycle of Webinars of RIUCI bamboo was held, an initiative launched within the framework of the project Support for Research, Development and Innovation and Higher Education in Sustainable Construction in Ecuador, financed by the Spanish Agency of International Cooperation for Development and implemented by INBAR.

The dialogue was held on the Facebook Live platform of INBAR’s Latin America and the Caribbean Office. In total, 16 exhibitors from Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil participated in the web event.

Among the topics reviewed were bamboo construction systems in social housing projects in Ecuador, Colombia and Peru, the production and use of bamboo charcoal in small rural properties, composite materials reinforced with bamboo fibers, the development of sustainable bamboo products with more added value to generate jobs and bolster incomes, along with other topics.

During the broadcast, several online users in attendance shared questions with the exhibitors, who were able to provide clear and succinct answers to their queries in real time. Over the three-day series of webinars, nearly 3000 views were reached.

On September 7, 2022, the First General Assembly of the International Network of Universities and Research Centers related to Bamboo (RIUCI Bamboo) was held through a virtual meeting. By that date, RIUCI Bamboo had 28 members from 10 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela.

The Assembly was attended by representatives from 24 institutions, who shared updates on the current status of the Network and defined the new Management Team, composed of representatives from Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil. Additionally, the first ad hoc working commissions were created, focusing on knowledge generation, exchange, and management.

During the Assembly, participants were encouraged to strengthen both the current areas of expertise within member institutions and those linked to other research fields related to forestry, social issues, gastronomy, nutrition, transformation, construction, and biomaterials, among others. The importance of promoting knowledge exchange between researchers, professors, and students was emphasized.

One of the central objectives of the Network is to develop joint research proposals and manage their implementation. However, it was acknowledged that there is still a challenge in securing financial resources to fund these projects and carry out the planned activities.

This Assembly represents a key milestone in consolidating the functioning and regional and international projection of RIUCI Bamboo.

On June 24, 2022, the International Network of Universities and Research Centers related to bamboo, RIUCI bamboo, was launched. This initiative is part of the Project "Support for research, development and innovation for sustainable construction in Ecuador" funded by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation AECID. The Network promotes research on bamboo, the exchange between researchers, teachers and students and the dissemination of scientific information that contributes to the development of bamboo in different areas. The launching event was attended by 29 people from Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela.