The Superior Council, headed by the governor of Santander Juvenal Díaz Mateus, presented the distinctions ‘Meritorious Citizen’ and ‘UIS Merit’ to Miguel José Pinilla Gutiérrez, illustrious graduate and former rector.
These awards were given in testimony of gratitude and recognition for his commitment to regional development, higher education and institutional strengthening of the UIS.
“I feel honored with these distinctions that have been given to me. I am proud to have contributed in some way to the enhancement of our UIS, the university that formed me and gave me the knowledge to perform in life,” said Pinilla Gutiérrez.
He is a civil and industrial engineer from the Universidad Industrial de Santander. He was rector between 2000 and 2003 and recently served as Representative of Former Rectors to the highest governing body of the alma mater.
He has been a reference of leadership in society after holding different positions of relevance in both public and private regional entities, as is the case of being rector of the Manuela Beltrán University, director of Planning of the Pontificia Bolivariana University, regional director of Sena, general manager of the Electrificadora de Santander (ESSA), president of Atlético Bucaramanga, among others.
“Miguel becomes an example for the people of Santander and it is an obligation for us to review what he did for the department, for example, how he worked for education here at UIS. He is a man who has dedicated his life to public service, who leaves us an important legacy and becomes our example,” said Juvenal Díaz Mateus, governor of Santander and president of the Superior Council.
At the ceremony he was accompanied by executives of the Governor’s Office, the UIS, his family, colleagues and friends of a lifetime of service.
“I worked with Dr. Pinilla in the SENA, I have known him since I was very young. I learned many things from him, especially his punctuality and he united us with the Academy of History of Santander when he was president there. We are fellow countrymen and we have been close all our lives, as have our families”, said Hernando Uribe Márquez, a friend of the honoree.
The event was held in the Jorge Zalamea Hall of the central campus of the Universidad Industrial de Santander.
