Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS) welcomed the Minister of National Education, José Daniel Rojas Medellín, who conducted an inspection tour of the new Physical-Mechanical Engineering Building, a strategic infrastructure project designed to strengthen teaching, research, and innovation at the institution.
During the visit, the Minister explored the academic, scientific, and administrative spaces that make up this modern facility, which reflects a shared commitment to strengthening public higher education and improving conditions for students, faculty members, and researchers.
Infrastructure for Knowledge, Research, and Innovation
With an investment exceeding COP $104.4 billion, the new Physical-Mechanical Engineering Building encompasses 25,122 square meters distributed across four floors, a basement level, a rooftop terrace, and an access plaza.
The facility includes 28 specialized laboratories, two workshops, three graduate classrooms, and six research areas dedicated to supporting scientific and technological development within one of UIS’s most prestigious academic faculties.
The building also features conference rooms, meeting rooms, coworking spaces, faculty offices, and administrative areas that support the schools and dean’s office of the Faculty of Physical-Mechanical Engineering. In addition, the facility incorporates advanced technological systems and a rooftop solar energy system as part of its commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency.
This new infrastructure will benefit more than 9,000 students and expand institutional capacity to accommodate approximately 2,960 additional students, strengthening 11 undergraduate programs and 26 graduate programs within the Faculty of Physical-Mechanical Engineering.
UIS: A National Example of Public Higher Education
During his visit, Minister José Daniel Rojas Medellín praised the progress achieved by Universidad Industrial de Santander and emphasized the institution’s contribution to the advancement of public higher education in Colombia.
“UIS is sending three fundamental messages to the entire country. First, that a public university can stand at the same level as any private or international university in terms of quality, aesthetics, and the creation of spaces that promote well-being,” he stated.
The Minister also highlighted UIS’s ability to expand its presence across different regions of the country while maintaining academic programs that are relevant to local needs and realities.
“The second message UIS is sending is that a university with strong regional roots can expand throughout the territory with relevance, respecting the diversity and multicultural character of each region,” he added.
Likewise, he underscored the institution’s commitment to guaranteeing the right to higher education through expanded access, student well-being, and tuition-free opportunities.
“The third message UIS gives the country is that public universities are designed to guarantee rights. We are no longer speaking only about infrastructure, increased coverage, relevance, and well-being, but also about free access to education,” he emphasized.
Minister Rojas Medellín also recognized the collaborative efforts among the National Government, the university administration, and the academic community in advancing strategic projects that strengthen public education and expand opportunities for future generations.
Through initiatives such as the new Physical-Mechanical Engineering Building, Universidad Industrial de Santander continues to consolidate its position as a leading institution in education, research, and innovation, committed to regional and national development.
