University research model linked to territorial development: Proposal from the Polytechnic University of Honduras

Within the framework of the doctoral program in Territorial Management and Development at the Francisco Luis Espinoza Pineda National University in Estelí, Nicaragua, guidelines are proposed for a university research model linked to the territorial development of the municipality of Danlí, Honduras, based on the Quintuple Helix approach and a hermeneutic perspective. Based on a narrative review of scientific and technical literature, four key dimensions of linkage were identified: social, cultural, environmental, and knowledge dissemination. The results show that university research can significantly contribute to strengthening human capital, revaluing local knowledge, ecological sustainability, and the social appropriation of knowledge, provided that horizontal links are established with territorial stakeholders. However, structural challenges persist, such as the weak institutionalization of the territorial approach, the prevalence of evaluation systems focused on bibliometric metrics, and the limited capacity for effective transfer to local contexts. The conclusion is that it is necessary to move toward a transdisciplinary, participatory, and situated model, where the university acts as a connecting node between diverse sectors, generating co-constructed solutions with social impact and territorial relevance.