The Universidad Industrial de Santander, through its Barrancabermeja Campus, continues to expand opportunities for access to higher education in the region with the start of classes for the Professional Technical Program in Installation and Maintenance of Photovoltaic Systems, a new program focused on training human talent for the renewable energy sector.
In this first cohort, 40 tenth- and eleventh-grade students from Instituto Técnico Superior de Comercio in Barrancabermeja began their training through an articulation program that will allow them to advance their academic preparation while completing their secondary education.
According to the Coordinator of UIS Barrancabermeja, Andrés Mauricio Montes Tenorio, the launch of this program represents an opportunity to bring the University closer to young people in the region: “We are very happy to begin this educational process in partnership with Instituto Técnico Superior de Comercio. This program is part of the School of Electrical, Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering and allows us to contribute to closing gaps and bringing higher education closer to the young people in our region, providing them with new opportunities to build their life projects.”
The new program lasts four academic semesters and focuses on developing competencies for the installation, operation, maintenance, and management of photovoltaic systems, responding to the needs of an energy sector moving toward more sustainable models.
A joint commitment to educating young people
The launch of this program is the result of collaborative efforts between UIS Barrancabermeja and Instituto Técnico Superior de Comercio, where the students began this new educational pathway.
For Fernando Parra, principal of Instituto Técnico Superior de Comercio, this experience provides students with an opportunity to broaden their academic horizons while still in school: “It is very meaningful for our institution that our students can begin this educational process alongside UIS. This articulation allows them to broaden their expectations, move closer to higher education, and acquire skills that will be important for their life projects. We are convinced that providing these opportunities during secondary education helps them gain a broader perspective of their academic and professional possibilities.”
For the young people who make up this first cohort, starting classes also represents their first approach to university life: “I am very excited because one of my dreams was to study an engineering program at UIS. I hope to make the most of this opportunity to learn as much as I can about the photovoltaic field and prepare myself to continue my professional education,” said María Camila Salas, an eleventh-grade student.
For his part, Héctor Tarazona, a tenth-grade student, said: “My expectations are to learn new things, have new experiences, and gain a lot of knowledge. I never thought I would have an opportunity like this, and I hope to make the most of it to achieve my dreams.”
A new complete program for UIS Barrancabermeja
With the opening of this program, the Campus continues to strengthen its portfolio of complete academic programs. The Professional Technical Program in Installation and Maintenance of Photovoltaic Systems joins the Artificial Intelligence Engineering program, consolidating new educational opportunities directly in Barrancabermeja.
In addition, the program may provide access to the National Government’s tuition-free education policies, expanding opportunities for more young people to pursue their professional aspirations without economic conditions becoming a barrier.
As these 40 students begin their first classes, UIS Barrancabermeja takes another step toward bringing higher education closer to young people in the region and creating educational pathways that begin in secondary school and continue into university.
