A bridge between academic knowledge and ancestral tradition is beginning to take shape in Magdalena. The Industrial University of Santander (UIS), through its Institute for Regional Outreach and Distance Education (IPRED), held an initial meeting with the Kankawarwa indigenous community with the aim of exploring a possible partnership to strengthen productive projects in the heart of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
This meeting, which marks the beginning of a joint dialogue, seeks to pave the way for the development of agreements that must be approved by the university’s higher authorities. More than a formal agreement, it is a shared intention to move towards sustainable development, innovation, and respect for ancestral culture.
The IPRED team, led by Javier Alberto Pinzón Torres, academic deputy director, spoke with Seydeth Torres, a business management student and member of the Kankawarwa community, who highlighted the importance of this approach for the future of her people. “The support of the University is crucial to promote our projects and consolidate high-impact initiatives that promote the comprehensive development of our territory,” she said.
The meeting was also attended by Luis Blanco, a graduate of IPRED’s Professional Technical Program in Agricultural Production, who highlighted how technology, research, and innovation can become fundamental tools for improving productivity and competitiveness in the rural sector.
The Dunarun Torres association, to which the indigenous representatives belong, has the mission of promoting agricultural, livestock, forestry, fish farming, and aquaculture production, as well as the processing, industrialization, and marketing of agricultural products in national and international markets. Its work also focuses on research, training, and defending the interests of communities before different authorities, promoting rural development and improving the quality of life of its members.
This initial approach reflects the willingness of the UIS and the Kankawarwa community to work together towards future agreements that combine academic knowledge and tradition, with the aim of generating positive impacts in the Sierra Nevada and Magdalena regions.
