The Universidad Industrial de Santander and the Ministry of National Education reviewed progress, needs, and alternatives to expand academic coverage, strengthen educational infrastructure, and consolidate the University’s institutional presence in different regions of the country.
With the aim of expanding opportunities for access to higher education and strengthening its presence across the regions, the Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS) held a working meeting with representatives of the Ministry of National Education (MEN) to discuss strategic initiatives related to academic coverage, infrastructure, and institutional development.
Representing the Ministry of National Education were the Acting Vice Minister of Higher Education, Octavio Eduardo Ibarra Consuegra; the Deputy Director for Support to the Management of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), Juan Pablo Sierra Forero; and advisers from the Vice Minister’s office.
The UIS delegation was led by Rector Hernán Porras Díaz, accompanied by Legal Adviser César Quijano and UIS Territorial Development Manager Jorge Villamizar.
Four Strategic Areas to Expand UIS’s Regional Presence
During the meeting, participants addressed four priority areas aimed at strengthening higher education in regions where greater educational opportunities are needed.
One of the main topics was the UIS academic offering in Catatumbo, where potential approaches and alternatives were explored to expand the University’s institutional presence and facilitate community access to higher education programs.
Likewise, the infrastructure improvement and equipment needs of the Center for Training and Research in Renewable Energy (CINER) in Puerto Carreño were reviewed, with the aim of consolidating this facility and creating the necessary conditions for the development of the University’s academic activities in the region.
Regarding educational infrastructure, progress on the construction project intended to support the delivery of higher education programs in Saravena was assessed as part of the efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and expand educational opportunities.
Finally, the process of consolidating the UIS Arauca Branch was discussed, including the development of a roadmap to guide its growth and strengthen the University’s presence in this part of the country.
Institutional Coordination to Bring More Higher Education Opportunities to the Regions
The meeting provided an opportunity to review the progress of each initiative, identify existing needs, and establish priority areas for coordinating actions with the Ministry of National Education, with the goal of strengthening UIS’s presence in these territories.
This interinstitutional coordination effort provides a framework for advancing projects that contribute to reducing barriers to access to higher education, strengthening regional capacities, and creating new educational opportunities for local communities.
