The Listening Center at the Industrial University of Santander (UIS) is making final preparations to welcome, for the second time, delegates from Colombia’s Ministry of National Education (MEN) this Monday, July 27. The delegation will assess compliance with and progress on the project, ‘Implementation of a Community Mental Health Guidance Model that Promotes Undergraduate Student Retention’
This initiative is part of the Program to Improve Access to and Graduation from Higher Education, under CONPES Document 4122 and Loan Agreement No. 5850/OC-CO, which is financially supported through an agreement between UIS, the Ministry of National Education, and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
The model was selected at the national level because of its potential impact on strengthening student retention policies and initiatives at Colombia’s public universities. During the first academic semester of 2026, the project engaged a total of 4,872 participants through strategic action plans implemented by specialized professionals.
Impact and Progress Across the Region
A multidisciplinary team of eight professionals—including psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers—visited the UIS regional campuses in Barrancabermeja, Barbosa, Málaga, and Socorro to provide counseling, guidance, and support while promoting the psychosocial well-being of members of the university community throughout their academic journey.
Of the 4,872 participations recorded across the regional campuses, 46% took place in Socorro, followed by 27% in Barrancabermeja, 17% in Barbosa, and 10% in Málaga.
“The first monitoring visit was rated as successful based on the results achieved. On this occasion, we expect to present the progress made, demonstrate compliance with the commitments undertaken, and share the implementation plan for the second semester of 2026. We also look forward to receiving feedback from the Ministry representative, as this visit provides an opportunity to finalize the project schedule and the activities to be carried out during the second half of the year,” said Ángela María Mateus Acosta, Director of the UIS Listening Center.
Beginning next month, the initiative will resume implementation at the regional campuses, reaffirming the university’s commitment to building inclusive, sustainable educational environments focused on the comprehensive well-being of the university community.
