The Industrial University of Santander (UIS) continues to advance in its commitment to academic excellence and regional development. In its most recent session, the Higher Council approved a set of strategic initiatives focused on strengthening the teaching staff, improving educational infrastructure, and facilitating access to specialized training programs.
One of the central points was the approval of the agreement for the selection and hiring of teaching staff, within the framework of the Formalization Plan. This measure seeks to guarantee better working conditions for adjunct professors and to strengthen educational quality. “We continue to make progress in faculty formalization and on the path toward decent work. We want professors who have been building the university to be able to enter the academic career track under better conditions,” explained Juan Carlos Bolívar, delegate of the Minister of Education to the Higher Council.
He specified that “today we approved this draft agreement that creates these positions and also establishes the conditions for the upcoming selection process. In this process, we prioritize a set of criteria to ensure compliance with the requirements of Decree 0391. The objective is to formalize professors who are currently fulfilling their roles through hourly teaching. In other words, we want part of the criteria in this new selection process to include, for example, teaching experience.”
In terms of investment, the inclusion of the project “Improvement of learning and training environments at regional campuses” in the 2026 Annual Operational Investment Plan (POAI) was approved, allocating significant resources for research, laboratories, bibliographic materials, and equipment. “These investments strengthen research, laboratories, and access to resources. This helps strengthen not only education but also the development of the department,” highlighted Alejandro Almeyda, representative of the productive sector before the UIS Higher Council.
As part of this year’s investments for regional campuses, funding was approved for the Guatiguará Technology Park, aimed at maintaining electrical networks and air conditioning systems, as well as acquiring new technological equipment, including a spectrometry device and a high-resolution transmission electron microscope.
Likewise, the Council approved a provision adjusting the tuition-related fees for the Medical-Surgical Specialization in psychiatry, allowing for semester-based payments to facilitate student access. “The idea is to make it easier, allowing payment in two installments to facilitate securing the necessary resources,” said Mario Betancurt, representative of UIS alumni before the Higher Council.
During the session, a tribute was also paid to the UIS Employees Fund (FAVUIS) for its 60 years of service, highlighting its impact on cooperation and the well-being of the university community. The recognition was presented to its manager, Ángela Johanna Camargo.
With these decisions, UIS reaffirms its role as a driver of social transformation, committed to quality, inclusive education with regional impact.
