Andrés David Piña Martínez, a graduate of the School of Chemical Engineering at the Industrial University of Santander (UIS) and current professor at the École Nationale Supérieure des Industries Chimiques (ENSIC) in Nancy, France, gave a talk to students in which he shared his academic and professional experience, as well as the exchange opportunities and master’s and doctoral programs offered by this institution.
“The purpose of my visit was to give the same talk I received a few years ago and tell students that it is possible to have an academic, professional, and cultural experience abroad. The idea is for them to learn how to apply, what the requirements are, and to encourage them to have an experience similar to the one I had,” said Piña Martínez.
This meeting was made possible thanks to the efforts of UIS Foreign Affairs, which seeks to motivate students to take advantage of existing international agreements through activities such as this one. In this case, the agreement with ENSIC allows students to complete their studies with a double degree and enjoy a training experience in France.
“The purpose of the visit was to inform chemical engineering students about the dual degree agreement we have with ENSIC, which allows them to complete their undergraduate studies and continue on to a master’s degree. As part of the Institutional Development Plan, we are looking to expand and strengthen these types of agreements. In addition, this visit seeks to consolidate cooperation ties and increase the incoming mobility of students from France,” explained Liliana del Pilar Castro, Director of External Relations at UIS.
Attendees highlighted the talk as an enriching experience that allowed them to resolve doubts and concerns about academic mobility processes in Europe.
“The talk was very enriching; I found it quite interesting and it motivated me even more to apply for mobility. We received information that I didn’t know, and hearing about the graduate’s experience from his own perspective was very rewarding,” said Manuela Serna, a chemical engineering student.
Likewise, participants highlighted the importance of these initiatives led by UIS Foreign Affairs, thanking them for creating spaces that broaden the academic and professional horizons of the student community.
“I found it a very interesting talk because, as students, we often feel the desire to go further and learn about other realities. Seeing that there are opportunities to broaden our knowledge and share with other cultures is very motivating. It is very important that these types of talks continue to be held,” added Jean Forero, a chemical engineering student.
