Amid smiles and eyes filled with anticipation, the Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS) officially began its academic activities in Saravena, Arauca. What until recently seemed like a distant aspiration for many young people in this region is now becoming a reality thanks to the memorandum of understanding signed in May 2025 between UIS, the Ministry of Education, and the Government of Arauca, with the support of the Saravena Mayor’s Office.
In this first stage, 90 students are becoming pioneers in a process aimed at transforming the territory through high-quality public higher education. Thirty seats are being offered in each of the three initial programs: Zootechnics, Artificial Intelligence Engineering, and Agroindustrial Management. The projection is ambitious: in the first semester of 2026, four more programs will be added, with a long-term goal of up to 20 programs available.
The Rafael Pombo Technical Industrial Educational Institution is the starting point. There, UIS adapted four rooms: three as classrooms and one as a modern computer center, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, climate control systems, ergonomic furniture, and high-definition videoconferencing tools connected to platforms such as Teams, Zoom, and Meet.
“When we first arrived here, there was nothing — just poor lighting and basic electrical outlets. We had to completely renovate the electrical system. Today, we have a regulated network for all technological equipment and a stable network for air conditioning as well. Each classroom has a 65-inch screen, a lectern with a Polycom system, and a computer — in other words, equipped with the highest technology,” said Edinson Rincón, UIS telecommunications technician and electrician.
But beyond the infrastructure, what fills Saravena with pride are the stories now beginning to unfold.
Jennifer López Quintana, born and raised in the municipality, admits she once saw university as something distant:
“I thought I would have to move far away to study. I had been in virtual classes before, but I didn’t feel satisfied. Today I’m excited to be here, in a classroom, with my classmates, truly learning. My family is happy because this is an achievement we had been waiting for.”
From the Los Duartes rural area in Fortul, Adriana Benavides Manrique arrived with a mix of nerves and excitement:
“This is a great opportunity because in a place like Saravena, which has lived through difficult times, having a high-quality university is a privilege. Many people didn’t study due to economic reasons; now we have the opportunity here.”
From the Los Jardines rural area in Arauquita, Carlos Quiroga, a Zootechnics student, dreams of giving back what he learns to his rural community:
“I live with my grandmother on a farm. I want to learn and bring new knowledge to help her and contribute to all the people in my village.”
Meanwhile, Jorge Carreño, from the Bajo San Joaquín rural area of Saravena, expressed:
“I feel proud and excited. For years I believed having a university here was a distant dream, and today, having it in our own territory is a blessing from God.”
For her part, Juliana Patiño, a native of Saravena, stated:
“Right now, my feeling is like a dream that is already becoming reality; of course, it’s a process that is being built, but it’s already a step, a beginning, and thanks to UIS it is happening. The difficulty was figuring out how to leave Saravena, because of my parents’ jobs. By being here, access is much easier, and being close to my family is another beautiful thing about this program.”
Just like Jennifer, Adriana, Carlos, Jorge, and Juliana, 86 other students are not only inaugurating classrooms — they are opening pathways, planting hope, and proving that education is the most powerful tool to transform territories. Today, in the heart of eastern Colombia, the university has already become part of everyday life.
