Local Community Development Activities
One of the main aims of UTM is to influence and change society through organisation of, and providing exposure to, various cultural and social events alongside the more traditional means of teaching and research.
Cultural and Social Development Management Structure
Main Role: To encourage economic and social development through social and cultural activities.
Means: Research carried out by university departments, training, undertaking special projects and supporting the Cultural and Social Development Team.
Estructura de la Coordinación de Promoción del Desarrollo
The services of Development Promotion which this university carries out are based on:
- The creation and implementation of productive and research projects.
- The transfer of scientific-technological products.
- The creation of consulting and training programs to increase productivity.
- The creation of food quality studies.
- The creation of environmental and socio-economic impact studies
- The promotion of productive activities through which the socio-economic wellbeing of the population is improved in terms of quality of life and in the preservation of the natural resources of the communities in the region.
These services are rendered through the office of Coordination of Development Promotion, which undertakes the responsibility of supervising the participation of the beneficiaries of these services, as well as making sure the commitments made by the University are kept.
The office of Coordination of Development Promotion, with the goal of carrying out organized, coherent, efficient, speedy and rigorously controlled procedures, has established the following protocol to solicit any given service:
- An application directed to the Rector of the Technological University of the Mixteca.
- A letter of acceptance or rejection of the application issued by the office of Development Promotion based on a preliminary diagnostic study and analysis of the techno-financial possibilities of the University to carry out the project.
- A collaborative Contract. If a letter of acceptance is issued, a collaborative contract is signed by the parties in which the terms are specified under which the university will participate with the beneficiaries of the service and the obligations of those beneficiaries. These contracts are drawn up by the Technological University of the Mixteca solely between the social sector, authorizing free services as a gesture of solidarity with the most economically disadvantaged population.
- A contract for services rendered. The Technological University of the Mixteca will enter into contracts with private parties who so request. In these contracts the conditions and economic terms required by the University to carry out said services will be stipulated.
- Creation of a Work Plan. Once the collaborative contract or the contract for services rendered is signed, the individuals responsible for the respective technical areas together with research professors and assigned technicians will create a work plan in which the technical-financial analysis of the project will be specified, as well as the timeline of activities, the way the monitoring will be done and the evaluation of the data of each activity and the deadlines for submitting the study or technical-financial letter.
- Execution of the Service. This is the start of the activities which the service requires. In regards to each activity, an official agreement with the beneficiaries must be drawn up.
- A final study or decision. This is the document that contains the results, evaluations, and conclusions of the finished study. This should be considered to be a final report of the activities.
- An agreement of completion. This document is issued by the Academic Vice-Rector to conclude the service to the authorized group.
The reference procedure includes an official file catalogued with a password for each case. The office of Coordination of Development Promotion maintains these files.
Development Activities
The main objective of the Cultural and Social Development Team is to reach out to all interested parties (rural communities, local producers, public institutions, social organisations and the departments that make up the Technological University of the Mixteca) and to provide solutions to local problems using the university’s resources. The Cultural and Social Development Team usually initiate contact with the communities that request help, and provide assistance according to a particular community’s needs. The Cultural and Social Development Team are composed of the following members:
- Two veterinary practitioners
- Two agronomists
- One biologist
- One cattle expert
- One farming expert
The Main Activities of the Cultural and Social Development Team
- Assistance with project management
- Vaccination campaigns and awareness
- Training courses
- Animal care and nutrition
- Assistance with rearing cattle
- Campaigns and awareness about parasites
- Veterinary surgery
- Diagnosis and treatment of illnesses
- Managing cattle and working facilities
Technical Assistance
Freshwater Fish Farming
In the Oaxacan Mixtec region, efforts have been made to promote freshwater fish farming, in particular Tilapia fish and freshwater crayfish, as an alternative to crop farming.
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Existing water sources that were originally used for irrigating crop fields are now also starting to be used for freshwater fish farms, providing two sources of food and income for families.
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The Institutes
As well as The Cultural and Social Development Team, UTM professors also offer their expertise in a variety of fields to help the surrounding communities.
- The Faculty of Agro-industry
- The Faculty of Design
- The Faculty of Hydrology
- The Faculty of Electronics and Computing
- The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities
- The Faculty of Industrial Engineering
- The Faculty of Mining
Culture in Local Communities
With the aim of increasing local communities´ exposure to cultural activities, the various university cultural associations put on dance and musical events free of charge for the public, with the university covering all costs incurred.
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Business Development Centre
The Mixtec word ‘jani’, which means ‘to dream’ and/or ‘to build’, was the name given to this organisation, as it helps people to turn their ideas and dreams of having a small business into reality.
Expectation
The organisation hopes to work constructively with all stakeholders in a climate of mutual trust and cooperation in order to accomplish mutual goals.
The Jani Organisation for Small Businesses Development
Phase 1 The Beginning
- Launch of the Jani Organisation for Small Businesses initiative.
- Pre-selection of projects.
- Final evaluation and selection of projects.
Phase 2 Business Plan and Training
- Signing of contracts between relevant parties.
- Preparation of business plan and agreeing timeframe.
- Allocation of floor space.
- Further development of the business plan.
- Delivering relevant workshops and courses.
Phase 3 Further Development
- Design business model.
- Development of management structures.
- Legal matters.
- Focus on marketing plan.
- Deliver relevant workshops and courses.
Phase 4 Final Phase
- Shadow and support before handover.
- Certificate awarded for successful completion of course.
Objectives for The Jani Organisation for Small Businesses
The Jani Organisation for Small Businesses has two main goals:
- To make a positive impact economically in the Mixtec region, ensuring that every business associated with the scheme is given the best possible chance of success.
- To remain a model of sustainability, dynamism and efficiency so that all parties associated with the organisation succeed.
In order to support these two main goals, the organisation has clearly defined strategic aims:
- To obtain regularly updated information about Jani businesses so that the organisation can continually asses and modify its role and provide new growth and development strategies for its partners.
- To assist in creating stable business finance models in order to develop realistic business plans.
- Recruiting suitably qualified project advisors, making sure that they have the required skills to help businesses grow.
- Creating an Evaluation Committee that can provide the necessary support to help businesses succeed.
- Effective time management, with emphasis on providing as much one to one time with businesses as possible, providing practical advice.
- Maintaining facilities in good working order, as well as all other resources in order to provide the best possible service.
- Encourage local businesses to adopt philosophy and practices of Jani organisation.
- Maintain an efficient database with relevant data on businesses associated with Jani. This database can be consulted at any time, allowing for quicker evaluation and analysis of projects undertaken, contributing to the overall success of the Jani organisation.
Ongoing Projects
“Las Huerta” Outdoor Education Centre
“Las Huerta”, an outdoor education centre, is set in a protected area near to San Marcos Arteaga and has been certified by the Secretary for the Environment and Natural Resources. Visitors can enjoy the outstanding views, experience closeness to nature, walk the nature trails and swim in the natural springs, in an area perfect for families.
Kala’s Processed Foods
Kala’s Processed Foods is a small business producing, marketing and selling different types of sauce. The main ingredients for these sauces are various dry chillies (guajillo, pasilla and morita), peanuts, grasshoppers (a Oaxacan delicacy), maguey worms and more traditional ingredients such as tomatoes, onions, garlic, salt, water and preservatives.
Biolumina
A small business specialising in the production of candles and lampshades.
