Universidad Estatal Del Sur De Manabi

What Universidad Estatal Del Sur De Manabi does

Universidad Estatal del Sur de Manabí (UNESUM) is a public higher-education institution established by Ecuadorian Law No. 38 on February 7, 2001, domiciled in Jipijapa, Manabí province, and operating under the oversight of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (SENESCYT). It delivers accredited undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs across five faculties (Technical Sciences, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Health Sciences, Economic Sciences, and a forthcoming Social Sciences/Humanities/Education faculty) via three modalities: presencial, semipresencial, and fully online. The university serves prospective undergraduates from southern Manabí, working professionals pursuing master's degrees, regional communities through vinculaci\u00f3n and CECADEL centers, and Ecuadorian education-system regulators (CEAACES, CES).

UNESUM's operational technology stack comprises a Moodle-based learning management system (Unesum Virtual / Aula Virtual), a Sistema de Gestión Académico for records, a SIAN admissions platform, an Open Journal Systems 3.3.0.21 publishing platform hosting eight institutional scientific journals (including RIAS with h-index 12), a Sistema Institucional de Archivos (SIA-UNESUM) for document management, and a faculty-evaluation system (SIEGEDDV). It maintains 5 physical campuses across southern Manabí (Jipijapa, Paján, Puerto López, Santa Ana, San Vicente) and runs the Centro de Emprendimiento e Innovación as an entrepreneurship arm within the RIUEc network.

The institution's revenue model is anchored on Ecuadorian national government budget allocations for public higher education, which fund undergraduate tuition at no direct cost to students. Supplementary revenue streams include tuition-based postgraduate master's degrees (Ciencias del Laboratorio Clínico, Gestión del Cuidado, Gestión Ambiental, Administración Pública, among others), continuing-education and professional-development programs through CECADEL centers, and grant-funded research projects. Leadership is headed by Rectora Dra. C. Blanca Indacochea Ganchozo and Vicerrector Dr. C. Christian Cañarte Vélez, with the Rectora additionally serving on the Scientific Council of REIMA (2026-2030) and the Executive Board of ASESEC.

Name

Universidad Estatal Del Sur De Manabi

Legal name

Universidad Estatal del Sur de Manabí

Website

https://unesum.edu.ec

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

UNESUM is a public Ecuadorian university headquartered in Jipijapa, Manabí, offering accredited undergraduate and postgraduate programs across five faculties and three modalities (in-person, hybrid, online) to students in southern Manabí via five campuses, supported by government funding and supplementary postgraduate tuition.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Nonprofit Universities (EDAHALAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical Universities with Architecture, Built Environment & Design Engineering (EDAHAEAJ), Professional & Applied Skills Noncredit Certificates (Non-licensure) (EDAAAEAD)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Public university
• Undergraduate programs
• Postgraduate programs
• Academic research

Headquarters

HQ city

Jipijapa

HQ country

Ecuador

HQ region

Latin America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public Higher Education Budget: UNESUM is a public university (Institución de Educación Superior Pública) funded primarily through the Ecuadorian national government's budget allocation for public universities. As a public institution, it does not charge tuition fees comparable to private institutions and operates under the Ley Orgánica de Educación Superior framework.
2. Postgraduate Tuition: Graduate programs (maestrías) at the Instituto de Posgrado generate revenue through tuition payments from master's degree students. Programs include Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Care Management, Environmental Management, and Public Administration.
3. Continuing Education and Training (Educación Continua): The university generates revenue through continuing education programs, professional development courses, and training offered through CECADEL centers and the Centro de Emprendimiento e Innovación, targeting local businesses, GADs, and the community.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Universidad Estatal del Sur de Manabí (UNESUM) is a public university that delivers accredited undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs across more than 24 careers in engineering, health sciences, natural sciences, agriculture, economics, law, education, and psychology. It offers three delivery modalities—presencial (in-person), semipresencial (hybrid), and en línea (fully online)—and operates campuses in Jipijapa, Paján, Puerto López, Santa Ana, and San Vicente. Beyond degree programs, UNESUM conducts scientific research published through 8 institutional journals and delivers continuing education, community engagement (vinculación), and entrepreneurship support via its Centro de Emprendimiento e Innovación.

Product overview

Universidad Estatal del Sur de Manabí (UNESUM) is a public higher education institution offering face-to-face, semi-presencial (hybrid), and fully online academic programs across undergraduate and graduate levels. The institution operates a digital ecosystem comprising its Moodle-based virtual learning platform (Unesum Virtual), an academic management system, an admissions system (SIAN), and seven institutional scientific journals published through Open Journal Systems. Additional platforms include a document management system (SIA), faculty evaluation system, virtual library, alumni tracking system, and an entrepreneurship center. The university offers degree programs in areas including engineering, health sciences, natural sciences, agriculture, economics, education, and law, serving the southern Manabí region of Ecuador.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Degree Programs - Presencial (In-person) Face-to-face undergraduate degree programs in more than 24 career fields including Civil Engineering, Information Technology, Nursing, Clinical Laboratory, Veterinary Medicine, Business Administration, Tourism, Accounting, Environmental Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Forestry, Law, Psychology, Social Work, and Initial Education. Subsidized by the Ecuadorian national government.
• Undergraduate Degree Programs - Semipresencial (Hybrid) Hybrid undergraduate degree programs that combine online virtual sessions with periodic in-person campus visits, allowing flexible learning for students. Available across multiple career programs including Business Administration, Tourism, Accounting, Gastronomy, and Pedagogy of Physical Activity and Sports.
• Undergraduate Degree Programs - En línea (Fully Online) 100% virtual undergraduate degree programs delivered through the Unesum Virtual Moodle-based LMS, including Derecho (Law), Psicopedagogía, Trabajo Social (Social Work), and Educación Inicial (Initial Education). Accessible from any location with internet connectivity.
• Postgraduate Master's Degree Programs (Maestrías) Fourth-level postgraduate master's degree programs (maestrías) targeted at working professionals, including Sciences of Clinical Laboratory, Care Management, Environmental Management, Public Administration, Educational Initial, Agricultural Sciences, and Infrastructure Planning. Delivered through the Instituto de Posgrado with tuition-based fees.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8 institutional scientific journals with international peer review, including RIAS with h-index 12
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Universidad de la Tercera Edad (UTE) - República DominicanaflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026UNESUM signed a Marco Cooperation Agreement with UTE of the Dominican Republic. The agreement enables joint actions in student and faculty mobility, scientific research, professional training, academic exchange, double-degree programs, academic event organization, and innovation and development projects. The agreement was signed by Rector Dra. C. Blanca Indacochea Ganchozo and witnessed by Vicerrector Dr. C. Christian Cañarte Vélez.
• ALAEITS (Asociación Latinoamericana de Enseñanza e Investigación en Trabajo Social)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Tripartite cooperation agreement with ALAEITS and ANUATSE (Asociación Nacional de Unidades Académicas de Trabajo Social del Ecuador) for joint academic programs, research projects, pre-professional practices, and training activities in the field of Social Work.
• ANUATSE (Asociación Nacional de Unidades Académicas de Trabajo Social del Ecuador)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Tripartite cooperation agreement with ALAEITS and ANUATSE for joint academic programs, research projects, pre-professional practices, and training activities in the field of Social Work.
• RIUEc (Red de Incubadoras Universitarias del Ecuador)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025UNESUM participates in the RIUEc network through its Centro de Emprendimiento e Innovación. The university participated in IV Emprendimiento e Innovación jornadas organized by ESPOCH, promoting exchange of experiences and good practices in business incubation and technology transfer.
• REIMA - Red Iberoamericana de Medio AmbienteflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic alliance with REIMA (Red Iberoamericana de Medio Ambiente, A.C.) and PAFICSD (Pan American Foundation for International Cooperation for Sustainable Development) for co-publishing the Iberoamerican Environment & Sustainability Journal (RIAS). The partnership spans over 10 years and continues with UNESUM as the host institution. Rector Dra. Blanca Indacochea was elected to the Scientific Council of REIMA for 2026-2030.
• Ministerio de Salud Pública (MSP) - EcuadorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgreements with MSP for organizing specific internships (internado rotativo) for Nursing students in hospitals and health centers in Puyo (Hospital General del Puyo, 16 students) and Latacunga (8 students), starting May 2026 through April 2027. The Faculty of Health Sciences coordinates these agreements for clinical training.
• Hospital de Especialidades PortoviejocoreOthers37 Nursing students from the May 2025 - April 2026 cohort completed their rotating internship at Hospital de Especialidades Portoviejo, including certification ceremony with tutored clinical practice.
• Hospital General del PuyominorOthers16 Nursing students arranged to conduct their rotating internship at Hospital General del Puyo and health centers in the Pastaza province area.
• Universidad San Gregorio de PortoviejominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated as invited institution in the II Conversatorio on National Archivist Day organized by UNESUM, contributing to academic exchange on archival management and digitalization.
• Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated in the II Conversatorio on National Archivist Day organized by UNESUM, contributing to academic exchange on archival management and digitalization.
• ESPAM MFL (Escuela Superior Politécnica Agropecuaria de Manabí Manuel Félix López)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated in the II Conversatorio on National Archivist Day organized by UNESUM, contributing to academic exchange on archival management and digitalization.
• Universidad Técnica de ManabíminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated in the II Conversatorio on National Archivist Day organized by UNESUM, contributing to academic exchange on archival management and digitalization.
• ASESEC (Asamblea del Sistema de Educación Superior Ecuatoriana)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNESUM's Rector Dra. C. Blanca Indacochea Ganchozo serves on the Executive Board of ASESEC. The next ordinary meeting of ASESEC's Executive Board will be held at UNESUM's campus, hosting authorities from Ecuadorian higher education institutions.
• Universidad UTE (Quito)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNESUM's Research Director participated in the formation of the University Network for Ethics and Integrity in Scientific Production held at Universidad UTE, Quito. SCImago Institutions Rankings 2026 results were also presented at this event.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Escuela Superior Politécnica del Chimborazo (ESPOCH): A public polytechnic university in the Andean region with strong entrepreneurship programs (host of RIUEc network events). Comparable to UNESUM in scale and structure, both serving regional rather than national markets.
• Universidad Católica de Cuenca: A private regional university in southern Ecuador with established library and research infrastructure (host of REBUEP library congress where UNESUM's Director de Biblioteca participated). Comparable in regional scope and modality mix.
• Universidad San Gregorio de Portoviejo: A private university in Manabí province offering undergraduate and graduate programs. Operates in the same regional market as UNESUM but with a private business model that competes for students willing and able to pay tuition.

Direct peers

• ESPAM MFL (Escuela Superior Politécnica Agropecuaria de Manabí): A public polytechnic university in Manabí with overlapping programs in agricultural sciences, veterinary medicine, and natural resources — areas where UNESUM also offers programs, creating direct competition for the same regional agricultural talent pool.
• Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí: The largest public university in Manabí province, headquartered in Manta. Offers a similar mix of undergraduate and postgraduate programs with comparable modalities, making it UNESUM's most significant regional competitor for students and faculty.
• Universidad Técnica de Manabí: A public regional university also serving Manabí province with comparable undergraduate and postgraduate programs in engineering, health sciences, and economics. Directly competes with UNESUM for the same regional student pool and government funding.

Broad incumbents

• Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE: A national public university with strong engineering and science programs. Competes for technical talent and engages in academic collaboration with UNESUM (e.g., II Conversatorio on National Archivist Day), representing a peer in Ecuador's public higher education ecosystem.
• Universidad UTE (Quito): A private university in Quito hosting the University Network for Ethics and Integrity in Scientific Production that UNESUM's Research Director joined. Provides a benchmark for how Ecuadorian universities structure research ethics and SCImago participation.
• Universidad Central del Ecuador: One of Ecuador's oldest and largest public universities, offering comprehensive programs across all major disciplines. Represents a benchmark for what a national-scale public university looks like and competes with UNESUM for top regional high school graduates.

Others

• Universidad de la Tercera Edad (UTE) - Dominican Republic: UNESUM's new international cooperation partner for double-degree programs, student mobility, and joint research. As a Caribbean higher education institution, it represents a comparable small public university and provides a benchmark for international academic exchange.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@universidadestataldelsurde9843
• Facebookfacebook.com/unesum.oficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/unesum-oficial
• Instagraminstagram.com/unesum_oficial
• TikToktiktok.com/@unesum_oficial

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Universidad Estatal Del Sur De Manabi