In a day described as historic, the National Ministry of Education, in alliance with the Industrial University of Santander (UIS), led the launch of the strategy “Higher Education in Your School”, an initiative that is already allowing 393 young people in Vichada to access higher education programs free of charge without leaving their territories, marking a before and after in the educational history of the department.
The event, held in Puerto Carreño, brought together the Minister of Education, Daniel Rojas Medellín; UIS Territorial Manager, Jorge Villamizar; regional authorities, students, directors, and the community in general. Today, UIS is consolidating itself as one of the major driving forces behind the expansion of public higher education in Colombia.
The presence of UIS in Vichada represents much more than the arrival of a university: it symbolizes the closing of historic gaps, the democratization of knowledge, and the real possibility for hundreds of young people to build a life project without having to leave their homeland.
During the event, the Minister of National Education, Daniel Rojas Medellín, stated that Vichada is experiencing a decisive moment and affirmed that the country is witnessing a profound transformation in terms of access to education.
“A change in the history of Vichada is taking place. You are protagonists of a historic moment in the department. There has been abandonment that we are beginning to overcome. The education budget must grow hand in hand with the dreams of young people,” expressed the minister.
The head of the education portfolio highlighted the fundamental role of the Industrial University of Santander in this process, emphasizing that the arrival of the institution in Vichada constitutes a symbol of social justice and territorial equity and reaffirmed the approval of 21.785 billion pesos for the completion of CINER.
“UIS is arriving in this territory. The National Government is making an enormous effort and closing a gap so that education is not a privilege but a right. With partners such as UIS, we are achieving beneficial results,” he affirmed.
UIS, Protagonist of Educational Transformation in Vichada
One of the announcements that generated the greatest expectations was the promotion of the Renewable Energy Technological Center (CINER), an initiative promoted between the Industrial University of Santander and the Ministry of Education to strengthen regional development.
UIS Territorial Manager, Jorge Villamizar, highlighted that the University’s institutional commitment goes far beyond offering academic programs.
“The challenge for UIS and MEN is to create a modern Renewable Energy Technological Center (CINER). UIS-CINER is the fusion of two ‘locomotives’ that we are going to put into operation so that Vichada can grow,” he assured.
Villamizar emphasized that the arrival of UIS seeks to stimulate the local economy and train professionals capable of responding to the territory’s needs.
“The fact that UIS is arriving in this territory is to move the economy, to train professionals that the territory needs. We have understood each other very well with the National Government, we are allies, and today we are present in seven departments. We took a major step and are reaching the territories,” he pointed out.
The university representative also insisted that CINER belongs to the community and constitutes a collective dream of transformation.
“CINER belongs to you and it is a challenge for us to make this dream come true.”
Meanwhile, the mayor of Puerto Carreño, Jaime Ariel Rodríguez Guzmán, publicly thanked the Ministry of Education and UIS for making the arrival of in-person public higher education to the municipality possible.
“It will be written in the history of Puerto Carreño that you were the ones who brought in-person and public higher education to Puerto Carreño,” expressed the mayor.
The mayor highlighted that this initiative will allow the training of competitive professionals capable of leading the institutional future of the territory.
“Today our young people will have the opportunity to become professionals, to be competitive, and to take the reins of the administration of our municipalities and department.”
He specified that:
“From here we are going to export talent because talent is what we have.”
The Voice of the Departmental Government
The Governor of Vichada, Fulberto Guevara, described the moment as a historic achievement in the face of state abandonment and deep territorial inequalities.
“Today we are at the launch of the strategy Higher Education in Your School, which, thanks to the support of the Ministry of Education, the National Government, and the Industrial University of Santander, is now a reality.”
The governor stated that for decades, in-person higher education had been seen by many students as an unattainable goal.
“Our students saw this possibility as an unattainable dream.”
Likewise, he highlighted that the educational infrastructure, which had previously been at risk of becoming a “white elephant,” is now being transformed into a center for the construction of knowledge.
“Starting today, it will become a center for the construction of knowledge that will bring development and transformation to the department.”
“UIS Makes Our Dreams Come True”
The emotion was also reflected in the voices of the students benefiting from the program. Michell Chantri Carrillo, a second-semester UIS student and graduate of María Inmaculada Educational Institution, stated that access to higher education will make it possible to generate real changes in communities.
“The information we will receive here will allow us to contribute solutions and generate positive changes in our communities.”
The student also highlighted the prestige of the Industrial University of Santander and its commitment to technological innovation:
“We feel motivated because UIS offers us a modern, flexible, and articulated education, with technologies that align with today’s world.”
In addition, she emphasized that the training includes emerging tools such as artificial intelligence, preparing young people for global challenges.
“Here, they are not only training students; they are also training future leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals who will work for the development and progress of Vichada.”
With the leadership of the National Ministry of Education and the territorial commitment of the Industrial University of Santander, Vichada is beginning to write a new chapter in its history—one in which the university reaches places once thought impossible and where hundreds of young people will be able to transform their future without leaving behind their roots.
