After several years of anticipation regarding the goal of bringing public higher education to the “sweet municipality,” and as a result of the work promoted by the Industrial University of Santander in conjunction with the municipal and departmental administrations, in 2024 a modern physical and technological infrastructure began operating, equipped for the training of comprehensive professionals and the development of research and outreach activities in this important strategic sector of the metropolitan area.
The UIS Floridablanca campus is a building with a total floor area of approximately 14,000 m2. Its four floors and two basements house 27 classrooms, three computer rooms, nine laboratories, a gym, a cafeteria, parking lots, administrative and teaching areas, as well as a public library and a modern auditorium with a capacity for 293 people.
In this space, fully equipped with furniture and state-of-the-art technology, the University successfully offers three recently created on-campus undergraduate academic programs, which today provide opportunities for 478 students to receive relevant, high-quality training in Biomedical Engineering, Data Science Engineering, and Professional Techniques in Cultural and Creative Project Execution.
“This initiative has been very interesting because today we have an infrastructure that serves students, the community, and visitors, who have also been able to interact on campus through academic events and outreach activities. We highlight the ongoing relationship with the Floridablanca Department of Education, which has made it possible to reach public schools in the municipality in coordination with the technical-level cultural and creative projects program,” said Tatiana Blanco, a professional from the Office of the Vicerrectoría Académica UIS.
In addition to promoting academic, scientific, and cultural activities, the campus also supports the UIS Language Institute in Floridablanca, which offers ongoing language courses for children, youth, and adults in the municipality.
In conjunction with other institutions and companies also present in this sector, the University generates opportunities to boost the sector’s economy and promote local development. In this case, the UIS campus promotes favorable conditions in its surroundings to strengthen the services offered to the academic community, which is now breathing new life into this renowned area of the old town. “An interesting dynamic has been generated for the commercial sector as a result of the academic community’s purchase of products and services, and this has undoubtedly helped the area where the campus is located, especially the residents of the sector, by supporting their businesses. also, the fact that there are many young people around this area helps to revitalize the environment and promote some very interesting changes,” said Lola Bautista, UIS professor and coordinator of the Biomedical Engineering program.
Without a doubt, the institutional presence of the UIS in Floridablanca in this first year of operation has had a very favorable impact on establishing links and consolidating coordinated work initiatives with the community, authorities, and the productive sector in order to continue promoting academic offerings and new spaces for cultural and scientific exchange in favor of local development.
