The Third University Fair reaffirmed Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS), Sede Barbosa, as a meeting point between higher education and young people across the region. More than 2,000 tenth- and eleventh-grade students from 22 municipalities in Santander took part in this career guidance event, where they explored a wide range of opportunities to continue their academic journey.
Organized by UIS Sede Barbosa in partnership with the Gobernación de Santander, the event gave students the opportunity to tour the university campus, interact with representatives from more than 20 higher education institutions, and receive information about academic programs, admission requirements, and financial aid opportunities.
Karina Araujo, Secretary of Education of Santander, highlighted the joint efforts of the Gobernación de Santander and Universidad Industrial de Santander to expand access to higher education for young people across the province.
“Today, more than 2,000 students from remote and hard-to-reach areas across the province have gathered here. We have students from Florian, La Paz, Puente Nacional, and many other municipalities who now have the opportunity to take the next step toward higher education through a university fair that helps them envision their future, continue their education, and turn their dreams into reality.”
She also emphasized the impact that visiting the Barbosa campus had on the students.
“We had the opportunity to tour these beautiful facilities, and we are truly leaving with a wonderful impression. As always, we found outstanding infrastructure and an excellent academic offering for our rural youth.”
Special guests Sebastián Flórez and Andrés Rivero, founders of Grupo 500, a Pre-ICFES college entrance exam preparation program, shared their personal experiences with the students and encouraged them to see education as a powerful tool for transforming their lives.
At the end of the event, both speakers reflected on the scale of the gathering and the enthusiasm shown by the participants.
“I still can’t believe there were so, so many people. I had never been to an event this large. This is truly historic, and I hope there will be many more opportunities like this because they genuinely make a difference in young people’s lives,” said Sebastián Flórez.
Andrés Rivero, meanwhile, praised the warm welcome extended by the University and shared his impressions of the campus.
“Everyone at the University gave us an incredible welcome. The effort that went into bringing us here was amazing. UIS Barbosa is a beautiful place—I had never visited before, and it truly feels like home.”
The students also agreed that the fair broadened their perspective on higher education opportunities.
Mariana Maya, a student from the municipality of La Paz, said that events like this are especially valuable for students preparing to graduate.
“Many of us don’t really know much about universities or what we want to study, and opportunities like this help us understand what we can focus on for our future. It was also wonderful to visit the campus because it’s not too far from where we live, and it opens up so many possibilities for us.”
Anderson Manjarrés, from Puente Nacional, highlighted the importance of learning about the academic opportunities available throughout the country.
“I think this was a very important event because we learned about what different universities in Colombia have to offer and the programs they provide. I was also impressed by the UIS campus, which combines excellent facilities with beautiful natural surroundings.”
Likewise, Isabel Ariza and María Fernanda Morales said the fair helped them gain greater clarity about their academic and professional futures.
“For tenth- and eleventh-grade students, this activity is very important because it allows us to discover what we like, explore different fields of study, and start planning our future. It’s also a great opportunity for students who still aren’t sure which career path to choose.”
Finally, María Paula Hernández, a student from the municipality of La Belleza, emphasized the value of exploring different options before making such an important decision.
“This is a very important opportunity because we’re about to graduate. We didn’t just get to know different universities—we also learned about the programs they offer and the opportunities available. I also found UIS to be a beautiful campus, with spacious green areas, an impressive library, and an academic offering that makes it a very trustworthy choice.”
Through the successful completion of the Third University Fair, Universidad Industrial de Santander reaffirms its commitment to creating opportunities that expand access to higher education, strengthen career guidance, and open new pathways for young people from the different provinces of Santander.
