With the development of the Provincial Dialogue – Phase II, the formulation of the action plan for the public policy on Science, Technology, and Innovation for the department for the decade 2025–2035 is progressing. This initiative is being led by the Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS) through an agreement signed with the Governor’s Office.
Representatives from academia, the productive sector, metropolitan area municipalities, and educational institutions, among others, gathered at the Sede UIS Bucarica to generate new inputs to complement the previous meetings held in the provinces.
Professors Freddy Jesús Ruiz and Josefa Ramoni Perazzi from the Escuela de Economía y Administración UIS, together with Shirley Paola Castellanos, Secretary of ICT of Santander, guided the working group sessions.
“After diagnosing the problems that need to be solved based on the first phase of the study, the next step is to start building the policy and the actions that need to be included in the program. The idea is to gather input from various sectors regarding their proposals, which should be included in the final document—trying to integrate all sectors, and even incorporate a differentiating element so that there are policies aimed at the urban sector, rural sector, and across provinces,” explained Professor Josefa Ramoni Perazzi of the Escuela de Economía y Administración UIS.
She added, “It has been an interesting exercise because it has revealed the inequalities across regions and, often, a lack of understanding about what science, technology, and innovation actually mean. Many still think of it only in terms of access to computers or the internet, and believe nothing can be done without them. However, we’ve come across very inspiring research seedbed projects in remote schools, which are undeniably scientific exercises that help foster a passion for science, innovation, and technology in children.”
ICT Secretary Shirley Paola Castellanos expressed her satisfaction with the progress made by UIS, stating, “We’re very happy because we’re almost at the end of our second phase, and this is the second round of working groups held both in the provinces and here in the metropolitan area. We’ve encountered a wealth of results and proposals, and it’s heartening to know that we’re aligned with the needs of the population—especially those in the science, technology, and innovation sector. For us at the ICT Secretariat, it’s very gratifying to know that what we’re building together with UIS is closely aligned with the needs and urgent demands of this sector.”
She noted that in August, after the agreement with UIS concludes, the official presentation of the department’s public policy on Science, Technology, and Innovation will take place. On this, she stated, “These working groups are the foundation for laying out our roadmap of activities we want to implement in the Department of Santander in the short, medium, and long term.”
Aware of the importance of defining a roadmap, participants recognized the need to continue the dialogue so the policy can address the identified shortcomings and respond to the expectations raised throughout the different phases of the process.
