The use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in outreach strengthens the social role of Ecuadorian universities. This study analyzed outreach projects of ESPOCH, the Technical University of Ambato and the Technical University of Cotopaxi, located in central Ecuador. With a mixed, mostly qualitative approach, 35 institutional documents were reviewed (2020-2024), covering five axes: type of tools, purpose, coverage, barriers and opportunities. An increase in the use of virtual platforms, social networks and mobile applications for communication, training and participatory management was identified. Barriers such as the digital divide, low technological literacy and weak institutional planning persist. Nevertheless, good practices, such as hybrid models and local capacity building, are highlighted. It is concluded that the effective use of ICTs in linkages requires contextualized, sustainable policies with an intercultural approach.

This research identifies key criteria for designing mobile applications for cultural heritage tourism, aiming to provide a planned, engaging, and functional solution that enhances the visitor’s experience and strengthens the competitiveness of destinations in the absence of technological tools for promotion and management. The city of Riobamba was selected as a case study due to its significant potential for this type of tourism. The proposed method is structured around three main dimensions: interpretative, inclusive, and immersive. The methodology combines a literature review, benchmarking, and user-centered design. The findings highlight the importance of integrating heritage storytelling, structuring information by levels based on user profiles, addressing the demand for practical data, and complementing digital resources with physical signage. The model is replicable if the tourism demand is adapted to the local supply of each destination.

Community-based tourism in the Ecuadorian Andes is establishing itself as an alternative form of land management that integrates environmental conservation with the cultural revitalization of indigenous peoples. This study analyzes the relationship between community-based tourism and ecological sustainability in the parish of Cebadas, Guamote canton, Chimborazo province, using a mixed approach that correlates socio-environmental variables. Surveys were administered to 60 participants, divided between experts in the tourism sector and heads of households involved in community processes. Spearman's Rho test was used to evaluate the relationship between community-based tourism (independent variable) and sustainable development (dependent variable). The results reflect a favorable perception of tourism as a conservation tool, as 70% of respondents believe that community-based tourism activities contribute significantly to the protection of natural heritage. However, the correlation coefficient (-0.056) reveals a weak statistical relationship, suggesting the need to strengthen local capacities. It is concluded that, although the numerical correlation is low, there are sociocultural bases that favor the consolidation of sustainable strategies based on community participation, responsible management of natural resources, and the revaluation of ancestral knowledge.

El presente estudio analizó las percepciones de estudiantes y docentes universitarios sobre el plagio, enfocándose en la carrera de Diseño Gráfico de la ESPOCH. Se exploró el nivel de conciencia respecto al plagio, sus prácticas habituales, factores que lo motivan, su relación con la tecnología y las estrategias para prevenirlo. La investigación adoptó un enfoque mixto mediante cuestionarios con preguntas abiertas y cerradas, validados previamente en una prueba piloto. El análisis de datos integró perspectivas cuantitativas y cualitativas. Los hallazgos revelan que, aunque existe una conciencia generalizada sobre la gravedad del plagio, muchos estudiantes reconocen haber incurrido en esta práctica, motivados por la presión académica, inseguridad y el fácil acceso a información digital. Las formas más comunes de plagio incluyen la modificación de trabajos ya existentes y la combinación de fragmentos de diversas fuentes sin la debida citación. Como medidas preventivas, se proponen estrategias como el fortalecimiento de la creatividad, la enseñanza de la ética y el respeto por la autoría desde los primeros niveles educativos, así como el uso de herramientas tecnológicas para detectar y prevenir el plagio. Estas acciones pueden ser replicadas por otras instituciones, fomentando ambientes académicos más responsables, éticos y orientados a la originalidad.