In the middle of the Guatiguará Valley, in Piedecuesta, stands a unique place in Colombia: the Guatiguará Technology Park (PTG). More than just a collection of modern buildings, it is a space designed for scientists and entrepreneurs to work together, turn research into real solutions, and help the country advance in innovation and competitiveness.
The UIS, the heart of the project
The PTG is led by the Industrial University of Santander (UIS), a public institution that since 1948 has been dedicated to training professionals of excellence and promoting research. With more than 45 undergraduate programs and 99 graduate programs, the UIS not only educates, but also creates knowledge to transform society.
This park is an extension of that mission: a place where research conducted in classrooms and laboratories can be turned into products, services, or technologies that benefit both businesses and the community.
What makes the park special?
The Guatiguará Technology Park is the largest of its kind in the country. It covers an area of more than 10 hectares and is designed to bring science, technology, and business together in a natural way. Its facilities include state-of-the-art laboratories, office buildings, auditoriums, cafeterias, and green spaces, all connected in a peaceful environment surrounded by nature.
Some of its most important spaces are:
- Research Building (EDI): This is where the park’s main laboratories are located, with modern equipment that allows for the study of everything from materials to chemical or biological compounds.
- Science and Technology Business Management Buildings (GECT I and II): these are offices and collaborative spaces where companies can set up, create innovation projects, and connect with researchers. They even have meeting rooms, co-creation areas, and places to network.
- Nicanor Pinzón Auditorium: a venue with capacity for 200 people, ideal for conferences, launches, and academic or business meetings.
- The PTG was designed so that innovation can also be experienced in comfort. A cafeteria, restaurant, green spaces, recreation areas, and parking lots make this complex a place where it is possible to work, learn, and enjoy oneself in harmony.
Laboratories: science in action
One of the greatest sources of pride for the Guatiguará Technology Park is its eight central laboratories, which serve the region and the country.
1. Surface Science Laboratory (SurfLab). This is a research and development center that focuses on generating knowledge through the characterization of solid material surfaces, using advanced techniques such as X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS).
2. Spectroscopy Laboratory. Here, substances are analyzed using light (infrared, ultraviolet, or laser). Thanks to these tests, it is possible to determine what a sample is made of, the size of its particles, and how they react to different conditions.
3. Petroleum Geochemistry Laboratory. Its focus is to study the origin and quality of fossil fuels, such as oil or gas. These analyses help make exploitation more efficient and less harmful to the environment.
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Laboratory. Studies molecules in solid or liquid form to determine their structure and how they move. This is key in areas such as petrochemicals and biology.
- Mass Spectrometry Laboratory. Used to identify molecules and proteins according to their weight. It is very useful for the pharmaceutical, food, and polymer industries because it allows us to know exactly what compounds are in a sample.
- Microscopy Laboratory. Electronic and optical microscopes are used to observe materials and samples in great detail, from bacteria to the texture of a metal alloy, i.e., a uniform mixture of two or more elements.
- Supercomputing and Scientific Computing Laboratory (SC3). This is a network of high-performance computers that can process large amounts of information, which is essential for research in biology, climate, energy, and artificial intelligence.
- X-ray Laboratory. This laboratory helps to discover how atoms are organized within a material, which is key information for the pharmaceutical, mining, and construction industries.
More than science, a place for society
The Guatiguará Technology Park (PTG) is not a space reserved solely for scientists or entrepreneurs. Its design also makes it an urban and social environment. This comfortable and creative atmosphere seeks to ensure that science and innovation flourish best when those who drive them work in a place that inspires confidence, tranquility, and well-being.
The PTG houses the Colombian Geological Service’s National Rock Library, a unique scientific archive where rock and mineral samples from different geological projects in the country are stored and studied. This place provides key information for mining, oil, and environmental projects.
The Gas Technology Development Center (CDT del Gas), which researches and promotes new ways to harness this energy resource with innovation and sustainability, responding to current energy challenges.
The Corrosion Research Corporation, which develops solutions to protect infrastructure, equipment, and materials from wear and tear, a fundamental task for the oil, energy, and construction industries.
The Guatiguará Technology Park is not limited to being a group of high-tech laboratories; it is a platform that connects the University’s research with the needs of the productive sector, complementing campuses focused on teaching and supporting the mission-critical functions of research and outreach.
