Adrián Escudero, 'Professor Honoris Causa' at the Ecuadorian UTPL

Writing/Raúl García Hémonnet

Adrián Escudero Alcántara, director of the Institute for Research on Global Change (IICG-URJC) and professor of Ecology, has been awarded the highest academic honor, 'Professor Honoris Causa', by the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL) in Ecuador. The university highlighted the exceptional merit and achievements of the URJC professor, as well as his significant contributions to society and ecology throughout his research career.

The event, held on December 11 in Loja, Ecuador, was attended by representatives from UTPL and local authorities.

UTPL recognized the prolific and influential academic and scientific career of Dr. Escudero, an international authority in the field of ecology and a figure who inspires scientists, students, and citizens to commit to environmental conservation. “UTPL is honored by the presence of Dr. Escudero Alcántara due to his special connection with the Department of Biological and Agricultural Sciences and his remarkable impact on strengthening international scientific and academic collaboration,” stated Santiago Acosta Aide, Rector of UTPL. During the ceremony, the Laboratory of Tropical Ecology and Ecosystem Services also recognized Adrián for his scientific contributions and friendship with the research group.

Adrián Escudero's relationship with UTPL dates back more than twenty years, to a time when Ecuador in general, and UTPL in particular, had a need to train doctoral candidates. Within this context, his collaboration with the Department of Biological and Agricultural Sciences at UTPL has contributed to the institution's scientific development, where he has supervised six doctoral theses and led international projects. This work, in which he has been accompanied by other researchers from the IICG-URJC, has resulted in numerous scientific publications and collaborations that remain active today, strengthening capacities, networks, and projects.

At the beginning of his keynote address, the honoree, visibly moved, expressed his gratitude for the recognition and noted that “we cannot do science individually. We need a healthy science that works within a collaborative framework, and that is what I have tried to do throughout my life.”

Escudero thanked UTPL for the opportunity to participate in a fantastic project, sponsored by Rector Luis Miguel Romero, which began a successful journey 20 years ago. The director of the IICG recalled that beginning: “The idea was very simple: to train researchers here, in the south, in the most peripheral areas of Ecuador, who would be autonomous and capable of conducting top-level research from here.”

The professor from URJC seized the opportunity and continued the plenary session by emphasizing that “science is the fundamental engine of social cohesion we have. We cannot go against science because we are actually undermining the very foundation of our society's functioning. We cannot deny scientific evidence. Since 2004, there has been a virtually absolute scientific consensus on the relationship between human activity and climate change.” He stressed the role of scientists and reiterated the right of all living beings to inhabit a well-preserved planet, for which he considers it absolutely essential to maintain a critical attitude; to cultivate critical and adaptable individuals capable of responding to problems in original and innovative ways.

Before concluding, the director of the IICG emphasized the importance of valuing biodiversity and understanding social justice as an output of the economy. Finally, he appealed to the need to be activists, to be concerned about what is happening to the planet, and to instill this "activist spirit," understood as being an agent of change. He reaffirmed the commitment and role of the Institute he directs (IICG-URJC) in the search for new tools to overcome the problem "we humans have created" through the essential connection between science and decision-makers. His final words were an encouragement to young people: "We need new generations to face the environmental emergency."

A new recognition that highlights the academic excellence and social commitment of this professor from the Rey Juan Carlos University.