The Industrial University of Santander (UIS) held a new session of UIS–Business Employment Connections, an institutional space led by the Office of External Relations and the Institutional Graduate Program, designed to strengthen ties between academia and the productive sector, boost employability, and open new avenues for collaboration through agreements, professional internships, and employment processes.
This meeting, which is key to responding to the needs of the environment and promoting the talent of the university community, was attended by representatives from Jaimes Rueda y Compañía Precimec, Urbanizadora Marval, Gaseosas Lux – Postobón, Eficacia, Palmas Oleaginosas Bucarelia SAS, Comuniviajes SAS, and the FOSCAL Clinic, who shared their perspectives and expectations for collaboration with the UIS. The Institutional Graduate Program, the graduate representative to the Superior Council, and the president of ASEDUIS also joined the event.
David León Esteban, coordinator of the UIS Institutional Graduate Program, highlighted the positive impact of these initiatives: “This is the fourth event of the year, a space where we bring together companies and human talent teams to develop networking activities and strengthen the relationship between the university and the business sector. In 2025, we have brought together more than 60 organizations, which have learned about our employability strategies, our students’ skills, and the actions we are taking to facilitate the entry of graduates and interns into the labor market.”
León Esteban also highlighted the importance of two-way dialogue with companies: “Not only do we present our progress, but we also listen to their needs and explore new agreements that allow us to expand opportunities for internships, work placements, and permanent vacancies. Business leaders have found it very valuable to be able to carry out recruitment processes on site, directly at the UIS, which generates greater confidence and streamlines the selection of talent.”
Voices that strengthen the connection between academia and the productive sector
María Margarita Peña, selection coordinator at the FOSCAL Organization, highlighted the value of this alliance for the health sector: “These connections are fundamental for us. They allow us to get closer to students and graduates from a university as renowned as the UIS, and open the doors to job opportunities within our institution.”
For her part, Juliana Díaz Jiménez, from Postobón’s Human Resources Department, emphasized the importance of the meeting for understanding the university’s internal processes and strengthening cooperation: “We appreciate this space that allows us to learn about the channels for accessing internship agreements and graduate profiles. It is a valuable opportunity for our organization, and we will continue to communicate in order to move forward with what was discussed.”
From the construction sector, Slendy Xiomara Rojas, recruitment professional at Urbanizadora Marval, reaffirmed the shared history with the UIS: “We have a very special connection with the Civil Engineering program. Most of our engineers and interns come from the UIS, and these meetings allow us to strengthen that relationship and continue to attract highly qualified talent.”
With this event, the UIS consolidates its commitment to the professional development of its students and graduates and reaffirms its role as a bridge between academia and the business sector. UIS–Empresas Labor Connections is positioned as a strategic platform for building solid networks, promoting real employability opportunities, and strengthening regional competitiveness through UIS talent.
The University will continue to promote these spaces to ensure that its students and graduates find effective routes into the labor market and that organizations in the surrounding area continue to recognize the UIS as a reliable, competent, and committed ally.
