Minister of Education Daniel Rojas Medellín will lead a working session this Friday in Vichada for the official launch of the “Higher Education in Your School” strategy, a national government initiative that, for the first time, brings technical, technological, and professional programs directly to educational institutions so that young people can begin higher education studies without leaving their territories.
The event will take place starting at 9:00 a.m. at the Renewable Energy Research Center (Ciner) in Puerto Carreño and will bring together the Ministry of Education, the Industrial University of Santander (UIS), the educational community, and partner institutions to continue expanding access to free, public higher education in one of the country’s most remote regions.
UIS, a Key Partner in Bringing Higher Education to the Territories
The event will include the participation of students, teachers, members of the educational community, and higher education institutions, including the Industrial University of Santander (UIS), a key actor in strengthening the presence of high-quality public higher education in the territories and an ally of the Ministry of National Education in expanding opportunities for rural and remote youth across the country.
More Young People Access Higher Education Without Leaving Their Municipalities
Currently, more than 1,000 students are pursuing higher education in Vichada, and 100% of them are enrolled in public institutions. In addition, between 2025 and 2026, 393 young people began accessing higher education programs directly from their schools in municipalities such as Puerto Carreño, Cumaribo, and La Primavera, in partnership with the Industrial University of Santander, consolidating a strategy aimed at closing long-standing educational access gaps.
As part of this effort, coordination between the Ministry of National Education and UIS has strengthened the delivery of relevant, high-quality programs to historically underserved territories, reaffirming the national government’s commitment to public higher education that responds to regional needs and contributes to the social and productive development of communities.
Investment and Expansion of Educational Coverage
This initiative is complemented by an investment of more than COP $317 million in higher education infrastructure and educational resources in Cumaribo, aimed at strengthening educational and technological tools that facilitate the implementation of this strategy and improve learning conditions.
Likewise, educational opportunities in the department have expanded through four technological programs offered by SENA that obtained accreditation and/or expanded coverage in municipalities such as Puerto Carreño and Cumaribo, creating more than 1,170 new enrollment slots for students in the region.
Similarly, the “I Can Study” (Puedo Estudiar) policy already benefits 1,051 students and covers 96% of undergraduate tuition in public institutions, consolidating free, high-quality access to higher education in the department.
PTIES Progress and Commitment to the Orinoquía Region
The event will also showcase progress under the Immediate Transition to Higher Education Program (PTIES), which benefits 245 students in Vichada, as well as other initiatives promoted by President Gustavo Petro’s administration to consolidate and expand educational opportunities in Colombia’s Orinoquía region.
Through this event, the Ministry of National Education and the Industrial University of Santander reaffirm their commitment to public, free, high-quality higher education that reaches territories, recognizes their specific needs, and enables young people to build life projects without having to leave their communities.
