Colombia and the UIS continue to fly high thanks to sports. This time, it was Melanie Gallego Uribe, a second-semester pharmacy student at the Institute for Regional Outreach and Distance Education (IPRED-UIS).
She is captain of the Industrial University of Santander’s indoor volleyball team, but she shone at the 2025 Bolivarian Games, where she represented her country, winning the bronze medal and receiving the individual award for Best Setter of the tournament, one of the most prestigious awards in this discipline. She competed in the final against athletes from Peru, Bolivia, and Venezuela.
“It was a very enriching experience in my sporting and professional life because I met many people who taught me new things. Nothing but happiness to be representing my country,” says Melanie.
Melanie has excelled in sports. She was champion at the 2024 National Games, held in Cartagena, and 2024 Intercollegiate Champion at the national level. In addition, with the UIS, she participated in the ASCÚN Games at the zonal, regional, and national levels. At the regional level, she was crowned champion alongside the University team.
“I believe that coexistence is fundamental when it comes to team sports, and it means living with many different personalities, but in the end, everyone comes together. You also have to be open to many corrections in order to improve and get used to the game that is proposed,” she reiterates that this is the key to success in any sport.
Melanie has been playing indoor volleyball for nine years, and since joining the UIS, she has stood out as a player on the institution’s sports team.
The 2025 Bolivarian Games were held in Ayacucho and Lima, Peru. Colombia participated with a delegation of 430 athletes competing in 45 disciplines.
