[Perceptions]

By: Mark Shtanov

 

My month as a Guest Professor at the Universidad SEK was intense, insightful and exciting. I was welcomed into a strong core research team with established overseas connections. My overlap in interests with another staff member developed into the urban study of San Roque market - a workshop that offered students a chance to exercise their analytical skills outside of the classroom. My second workshop on conceptual model making was unusual for the university, however the staff made an impressive effort to host it. In both workshops students were bold, helpful and appreciative of the essence of the assignments.

 

Both of my lectures were well received. University’s communications team effectively advertised the events, facilitating diverse and interdisciplinary audiences. I particularly enjoyed meeting industry professionals, as well as students from other fields in my lecture on waste management.

 

Lastly, Universidad SEK was a gateway into the scholarly networks operating across the Spanish-speaking world. As part of my visit I took part in the CIVITIC congress in Guayaquil, where I exchanged contacts with academics specialised in architecture, urban studies and technology from all over the Latin America, as well as from Germany and Spain.